Located in central Christchurch, there are many ways to get to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
Location
Walk
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.
Bikes and electric scooters
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.
Bus
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.
Parking
There are two large public car parks in the Botanic Gardens:
- Riccarton Avenue entrance
- Armagh Street entrance
You are welcome to park in either of these places for up to 180 minutes free of charge Monday to Friday. During the weekend there is no time limit. 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.
Please note that from late November charges will apply for parking, up to a maximum of $4.60 for 3 hours. The exact date will be posted when known.
Accessibility
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 at the front of the Gardens towards the back of the Museum building and in the Visitor Centre.
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.
Dogs
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.