As there is so much to see in the Botanic Gardens you might like to consider taking a tour. There are a number of different options for tours.

Join a fantastic, guided tour with knowledgeable and friendly guides showcasing some of our spectacular collections.

Find out more about the different walks on offer with this handy guide [PDF, 84 KB].

Botanic Gardens

  • Volunteer guides from the Friends of the Botanic Gardens offer free guided walks at the Botanic Gardens between October and April and throughout the year on request.
  • 1.30pm.
  • Meet outside the Kiosk.
  • Botanic Gardens tours are 45 to 60 minutes long unless otherwise stated.

Mona Vale

  • Seasonal walks at Mona Vale are offered throughout the year.
  • 1.30pm.
  • Meet at the Rose Garden car park.
  • Mona Vale tours are 90 minutes.

Special interest group tours

If you have any queries or would like to arrange a special interest tour for a group, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com or phone Pat Whitman at 03 384 3475.

Local groups are $5 per person, international groups are $10 per person.

October 2025 walking schedule

Date Theme Location
Wednesday 1 Notable Trees Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Thursday 2 General Interest Walk (90 min) Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Friday 3 Curious conifers: A walk in the Pinetum Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Saturday 4 Biggest, smallest, quirkiest, tallest... Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Sunday 5 New Zealand Gardens: New Zealand Natives Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Monday 6 Prince of plants: The noble palm Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Tuesday 7 General Interest Walk (90 min) Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Wednesday 8 Notable Trees Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Thursday 9 Plant hunters: Plants and their stories Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Friday 10 Curator’s House Potager Garden Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Saturday 11 General Interest Walk (90 min) Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Saturday 11 Mona Vale Guided Walk Mona Vale Gardens
Sunday 12 Guides Top Ten Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Monday 13 General Interest Walk (90 min) Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Tuesday 14 Rock and Crevice Gardens Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Wednesday 15 General Interest Walk (90 min) Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Thursday 16 New Zealand Gardens: New Zealand Natives Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Friday 17 Commemorative Trees Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Saturday 18 Heritage Rose Garden Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Sunday 19 Curious conifers: A walk in the Pinetum Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Monday 20 General Interest Walk (90 min) Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Tuesday 21 New Zealand Gardens: New Zealand Natives Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Wednesday 22 New Zealand Gardens: New Zealand Natives Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Thursday 23 Notable Trees Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Friday 24 Rock and Crevice Gardens Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Saturday 25 Notable Trees Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Saturday 25 Mona Vale Guided Walk Mona Vale Gardens
Sunday 26 Gondwana to Zealandia Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Monday 27 New Zealand Gardens: New Zealand Natives Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Tuesday 28 General Interest Walk (90 min) Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Wednesday 29 Archery Lawn highlights Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Thursday 30 Notable Trees Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Friday 31 Gondwana to Zealandia Christchurch Botanic Gardens

 

Caterpillar Tour

Botanic Garden Tours(external link) operates a guided audio tour of the Gardens in all-weather electric shuttles. 

For more information or to book, contact Botanic Gardens Tours on (03) 366 7830 or info@christchurchattractions.nz.

Meet the shuttle near the Peacock Fountain at the Rolleston Avenue end of the Gardens – look out for the purple flag.

Tour times

  • Summer (October to March): 10am to 3.30pm daily
  • Winter (April to September): 11am to 3.30pm Thursday to Sunday

Please contact the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre for more information or to book a tour – phone 03 941 7590 or email christchurchbotanicgardens@ccc.govt.nz

Tour type Duration Cost Description
Guided walking tour for community group
 1 hour Free Groups of local visitors can request guided tours through the Botanic Gardens on a range of topics.
Guided walking tour for tourist group
 1 hour $10 per person Tourist groups can request guided tours through the Botanic Gardens on a range of topics.

 If one or more members of your group has limited mobility, please contact the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre on 941 7590 or email christchurchbotanicgardens@ccc.govt.nz to discuss accessibility options.