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.

Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Tours

Friend's Guided WalkVolunteer guides from the Friends of the Botanic Gardens conduct guided tours daily from mid-September through to the end of April, at a cost of $10 per person.

These provide an introduction to the Gardens, their history, management and seasonal highlights. Tours are 1.5 hours and depart daily from the Canterbury Museum entrance at 1.30pm, returning at 3pm.

Alternatively, group tours with the volunteer guides can be arranged at any time. To make an enquiry or book a tour, phone (03) 384 3475.  

Botanic Garden Tours

Caterpillar TourBotanic Garden Tours(external link) operate a guided audio tour of the Gardens in electric shuttles.

Tour times

Summer: 10am to 4pm daily (November to March)
Winter: 11am to 3pm daily (April to October)

Bookings and enquiries

Botanic Gardens Tour on 0800 88 22 23 or gardenstour@welcomeaboard.co.nz

Group tours

Group tours can be organised with the Botanic Gardens Park Ranger. For more information or to book phone (03) 941 8999 or email christchurchbotanicgardens@ccc.govt.nz

Group tours are limited to a maximum of 40 people. The types of tours available include:

Tour Type Duration Cost Description
Limited mobility
 1 hour Cost on application Groups of local visitors with limited mobility (e.g. resthome residents) can request driven tours through the gardens. This service is not available during the school holidays.
Community group
 1.5 hours $120 per group Groups of local visitors can request tours through the gardens on a range of topics.
Tourist group
 1.5 hours $290 per group A limited number of tourist group tours are offered on a first-in-first-served basis.