New Zealand is the home to one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. The Dunedin Botanic Garden was first established in 1863, making it over 150 years old. It is a remarkable afternoon escape that features over 6,800 plant species, as it seamlessly blends lush natural history with Victorian-style glasshouses and a range of native birds.
I travelled to the country in 2023 and instantly fell in love with it. The Dunedin Botanic Garden played a big role in this, as it’s such a beautiful space that makes you feel connected to nature. I spent a whole afternoon strolling around the Avon River in the Christchurch area of the garden and took in some of the city views while on the cable car.
Continue reading to find out more about this lush retreat and why I consider it a must-visit if you travel to New Zealand in 2026.
What I Did in Dunedin Botanic Garden
Winter Garden Greenhouse
This Edwardian architectural gem is the oldest public display house in Australasia, so I knew it was something that I had to see with my own eyes. It offers a climate-controlled sanctuary that makes visitors feel like they’re in the tropics of New Zealand’s South Island. Regardless of Dunedin’s cold weather in the winter, this greenhouse keeps a humid environment that will keep you warm as you explore all the native plants within the complex. It gave me the perfect place to warm up while admiring exotic blooms, towering palms and bananas in the middle of winter.
Rhododendron Dell
The Rhododendron Dell is the crown jewel of New Zealand’s oldest botanic garden and it was perhaps the favourite part of my trip. This is a 4-hectare woodland that has over 3,000 rhododendrons, leaving you with some of the most unique sights that you’ll ever see. It achieved global fame for its vibrant seasonal blooms and I was amazed by the original tree specimens that were planted over 100 years ago. They are over 8 meters tall and 11 meters wide.
Upper Garden Views
Climbing the hillside of the oldest botanic garden took me about 15 minutes. I was rewarded with sweeping panoramic views across the city and the Otago Harbour. This made for some wonderful photograph opportunities, as I was able to capture some shots that I then printed off to get framed in my home. The Upper Gardens weave into untouched native forest and had a specialised collection of rare flora alongside a popular bird aviary, which was really fun to walk through.
Japanese Garden
As a huge fan of Japanese culture and architecture, I knew that I had to visit the Japanese garden. It had one of the largest rock gardens in the world with plenty of shrubbery that was purposely sheared into Japanese leaf statues using heavy duty hedge trimmers. It was my favourite place to relax and this was helped by the bamboo grove adding to the tranquil feel. I later learnt that the authentic design was done to celebrate a sister-city bond with Otaru, Japan, which definitely added to my overall experience.
Guided Tour
While there, I felt it necessary to take part in a guided tour so that I could learn more about the botanic garden and the history behind it. I booked a curatorial-led horticultural tour for an in-depth look at the gardens and this definitely helped to enhance my understanding of the area, giving me a better experience. If you’re making the travel to New Zealand, I can’t recommend doing this enough.