Information Centre
The Information Centre is located next to the Gardens Cafe and Armagh car park. Open daily, it is a good place to start your visit to the Gardens.
Guided walking tours
Guided walking tours are scheduled daily between September and April.
Play area and paddling pool
The play area is located behind the Botanic Gardens Cafe by the Armagh car park footbridge. The paddling pool is open over the summer season between Show Weekend and the end of March. The play area includes a Liberty Swing allowing children in wheelchairs to enjoy the fun and recreation of swinging.
Dining / refreshments
Curator’s House (Closed and undergoing earthquake repairs and strengthening)
The original Curators' House on the Rolleston Avenue frontage to the Gardens now operates as a restaurant and education facility. The Curator’s House is open for lunch, dinner and refreshments throughout the day. Private rooms are also available.
Open seven days from 10am until late
Phone: (03) 379 2252
The Curator’s House website
Christchurch Botanic Gardens Cafe (Closed following a Detailed Engineering Evaluation (DEE) which shows it needs earthquake-strengthening)
Located by the children’s playground, the cafe is open 364 days of the year for morning and afternoon teas and light lunches. Bar facilities are also available. The cafe can be booked as a function venue for weddings and other private functions.
Phone: (03) 366 5076
Weddings and Filming
Various locations can be booked in the garden for weddings, civil unions, functions and events.
Disability access
Parking
There are four disability (sealed) car parks in the Riccarton car park and five gravel car parks in the Armagh car park. Mobility cards must be displayed in vehicles.
Toilets There are accessible toilets at the front of the Gardens towards the back of the Museum building and in the Information Centre.
Liberty Swing
A Liberty Swing is located in the play area in the Botanic Gardens. To use the Liberty Swing, collect a key from the Information Centre.
Loan mobility scooters and wheelchairs For those with limited mobility, the Council in conjunction with TSB Bank provide three mobility scooters for use within the Gardens and Hagley Park, during Information Centre opening hours. Bookings can be made through the Information Centre, phone
(03) 941 7590 .
