Located in central Christchurch, there are many ways to get to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
The Gardens are conveniently located close to the central city and only a 10-minute walk from Cashel Street Mall and The Crossing, a 20-minute walk from Riccarton Mall and a 15-minute walk from New Regent Street.
Once you arrive at the Gardens there are bike racks at the three main entrances - in both the Armagh and Riccarton Avenue car parks, as well as near the entrance to the Gardens on Rolleston Avenue.
Bikes are not permitted to be ridden in the grounds, however, cyclists are free to roam in neighbouring Hagley Park.
For safety reasons, all cyclists must dismount in the Botanic Gardens and continue on foot.
Electric scooters are prohibited from the grounds.
The closest bus route to the Gardens is via the Yellow Line, which stops along Riccarton Avenue.
Please visit the Metro Christchurch website(external link)(external link)(external link) for information on bus routes and timetables as they are subject to change.
There are two large public car parks in North Hagley Park which provide easy access to the Botanic Gardens:
- Riccarton Avenue–Botanic car park
- Armagh Street–Botanic car park
You are welcome to park in either of these places for up to 180 minutes. Fees are $2 for the first hour, and $1.30 for each subsequent hour, up to a maximum of $4.60 for three hours.
Parking can be paid for by credit or debit card, or via the PayMyPark app(external link).
There are four disability car parks in the Riccarton car park and five disability car parks in the Armagh car park. Mobility cards must be displayed in vehicles.
Parking
There are four disability car parks in the Riccarton car park and five disability car parks in the Armagh car park. Mobility cards must be displayed in vehicles.
Toilets
There are accessible toilets in four locations at the Gardens:
- Inside the Visitor Centre, near the cafe entrance.
- Along the main path from Rolleston Ave toward the Visitor Centre. This toilet block sits to the left of the entrance to the Robert McDougall Art Gallery.
- In the Woodland Garden, a toilet block is located over the river in Hagley Park.
- In the Armagh Street car park.
Loan mobility scooters and wheelchairs
For those with limited mobility, the Council provide three mobility scooters for use within the Gardens during Visitor Centre opening hours at no charge. Bookings can be made before your visit through the Visitor Centre, phone 03 941 7590.
There is a manual wheelchair available at the Kiosk, just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park, which can help anyone with limited mobility get from their car to the Visitors Centre, where there are mobility scooters.
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 Visitor Centre.
Limited mobility tours
See the Tours(external link) page for more information.
Accessibility map
Use this map to find accessible toilets, hearing loops, parking and mobility scooter hire locations in the Botanic Gardens and wider Christchurch.
To help preserve our unique and peaceful environment please remember no dogs are allowed within the Botanic Gardens.
As an alternative, take your dog to Hagley Park to enjoy the wide-open spaces instead.