Timaru Botanic Garden

The Timaru Botanic Garden is located on 19 hectares of land in south Timaru - and dates back to 1864, when the site was first set aside as a public reserve.

In 2014, the garden was recognised as a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.

What you'll see at the botanic garden

• Conservatory and fernery
• Ornamental ponds
• Interpretive centre
• Aviary
• Cenotaph and War Memorial Wall
• Anderson Rose Garden
• Band rotunda
• Children's playground
• Species rose garden
• Native plant collections
• Threatened plant collections
• Ornamental plantings
• Pinetum
• Queen Victoria Garden
• Plant collections.

Where to find it

The main entrance is off Queen Street near the corner of King Street.

To enter, pass through the ornate Gloucester Gates, opened by the Duke of Gloucester in 1935.

You'll see the garden features a stunning rose collection and enjoys views out to sea.

Best time to go

It’s always a good time to visit Timaru’s Botanic Garden. And you’re always welcome – it’s open from 8am until dusk.

Best way to explore

Head to the Wuhoo Timaru website.

They will have you code breaking, seed searching, playing bingo and generally having free family fun around the beautiful botanic gardens.