Dunedin Botanic Garden, Botanical garden in North Dunedin, New Zealand.
Dunedin Botanic Garden covers 28 hectares in North Dunedin, split into a lower garden at about 25 metres and an upper garden rising to 85 metres on a spur of Signal Hill. Lindsay Creek runs through the lower garden, which holds the heated Edwardian Winter Garden glasshouse, rose and herb gardens, a duck pond and a Japanese garden. Lovelock Avenue winds through the upper garden past a geographic plant collection, an aviary, native plants and a rhododendron dell.
The garden was established in 1863 as New Zealand's first botanical garden. Over 160 years, it has developed into a major horticultural institution.
The garden's Japanese garden commemorates Dunedin's sister-city link with Otaru, Japan. Near the northern entrance, pillars shaped as fern shoots in stylised Māori koru mark the entry. The lower gardens also hold Cecil Thomas's statues of Peter Pan and the Darling children, with a near replica at Rotokawau Virginia Lake in Whanganui.
Entry is free and the Information Centre with Winter Garden Glasshouse operates daily from 10am to 4pm. The terrain with its multiple elevation changes requires comfortable shoes and good fitness for exploring all areas.
In July 2010 the New Zealand Gardens Trust awarded the garden the rank of "Garden of International Significance"; it is one of only six gardens nationwide with this rank, and the only other one in the South Island is at Larnach Castle, also in Dunedin.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,403 contributors worldwide.