Forest-bathing at the Botanic Garden: a Wellington must-do

With stunning imagery, I regale you with tales of the Wellington Botanic Garden and the weekend I spent forest-bathing to re-acquaint myself with the birds (and cats) to soothe my soul. If you need an escape from the hustle and bustle of Wellington, this is a must-do. Go hide in the Wellington Botanic Garden. Your heart will thank you.

Perched on a hilltop in Kelburn, the Wellington Botanic (or botanical) Garden (or gardens) blooms in an array of colors as the seasons cycle on. This 25-hectare floral paradise, enshrouded with conifers and native forest, is my regular haunt year-round.

The grounds are large enough to drown out the city noise, especially deeper in the woodland. There’s a sense of richness, lush greens and moist soil with the scent of pine and flowers.

It’s beautiful. Enchanting. Quintessential cozy Wellington.

This post is different from the rest in that it doesn’t offer a giant itinerary. In true “slow travel” fashion and through a series of stunning images, this post proposes an enriching activity to rejuvenate the spirit on your day off. If you’re looking for things to do in Wellington, the Wellington Botanic Garden is a must.

Read on with a sigh at the shinrin-yoku (forest-bathing) potential of the Wellington Botanic Garden.

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A forest-bathing weekend at the Wellington Botanic Garden: a Wellington must-do

Getting to the Wellington Botanic Garden

Getting to the Wellington Botanic Garden is no fuss. There are multiple entrances, accessible via Cable Car or Bus 2 on the Karori Route.

The Botanic Garden is open year-round from dawn to dusk. There is free parking next to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, or street parking in the neighborhoods surrounding. And there’s no entry fee!

The Wellington Botanic Garden website provides a map to navigate the grounds. Paths are also sign-posted so you can allow yourself to get lost. You’ll find your way back eventually.

Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Picnic Cafe

The Lady Norwood Rose Garden is an award-winning courtyard of over 300 varieties of roses, a feast of colors and smells to delight the senses. Encircled by brick pillars garlanded with climbing thorns, the Rose Garden is positively Victorian. Imagine, at sunrise, with a blanket of mist twinkling over the roses, meandering the winding paths to the sound of birds and rustling trees. The display is nothing short of healing.

If that’s not magical enough, the Rose Garden is also joined by the Picnic Cafe where you might grab some seasonal eats, and the Begonia House, a tropical conservatory rich with begonias and other strange flowers.

Herb Garden

From Lady Norwood Rose Garden, take the steps up (and up and up) to the little Herb Garden, a quiet cove in lush stillness where one might go hiding with a book. Here, there are overgrown benches, thriving herbs with practical uses, and an old Lion Fountain lichened with age. 

The Herb Garden boasts a dark academia aesthetic, hence my comment about bringing a book. This is a place to smell and touch nature’s delectables, read dark poetry among the brambles, and listen to bees pollinating the garden.

Pinehill Path and through the Conifers

Wander down Pinehill Path, and this is where shinrin-yoku (forest-bathing) can begin. The Wellington Botanic Garden is home to some of the oldest conifers in the country. 

When early settlers first arrived to New Zealand, they established in Wellington. Gallant as it may seem, they bought and allocated land that belonged to a Māori tribe… without their knowledge or permission. (New Zealand’s history is fraught with such stories so it’s important to acknowledge that this whenua (land) belonged to Māori first and foremost.) The Botanic Garden is where settlers first introduced conifers to kickstart New Zealand’s forestry industry.

And although we aren’t fans of exotic species here in New Zealand, we can still admire their beauty on preserved land where they happily co-exist with native species. 

Cacti and Succulents, Rock Gardens, Camellia Garden

At this point, feel free to wander around and see what garden you stumble upon next. There are a few throughout the woodland. Breathe the changes in the air as majestic conifers transition to low damp ferns. Paths will split and your feet will guide the way, delving deeper into the forests.

You might happen upon brick Victorian houses, signaling the Camellia Garden. This is an old part of the Wellington Botanic Garden, hence the heritage buildings. Camellias bloom in happy colors upon the gentle slopes

You might also encounter friendly cats who have made this woodland their home. They’re accustomed to humans, not shy to ask for attention. We sat with this fella for awhile, observing trees and giving cuddles. There’s something soothing about cats and gardens. I could’ve stayed there forever.

Next you might come across the Kauri Rock Garden, where old stone steps climb steeply up the hill, lined with exotic flowers. This is my favorite section of the Wellington Botanic Garden. I’ve spent hours on these steps, photographing all the strange flowers coming up through stone.

Above the Rock Garden is a Cacti and Succulents collection, strategically placed in a sun pocket. If you want shelter from the wind, this is your corner. They even provide a bench to rest your weary feet.

Soundshell Garden and Lawn

As you emerge from dense forests, smell your way through the Fragrant Garden (which delivers exactly what it promises) and come out onto Soundshell Garden and Lawn.

Soundshell Lawn is a stadium among nature, equipped with a stage and grassy plane for concerts. In summertime, the Wellington Botanic Garden hosts live shows from a variety of artists every night… without an entry fee. Every evening, spectators bring snacks and picnic blankets to enjoy live music under a dusking sky.

And since the Botanic Garden is a mere 10-minute stroll from my work, there’s no place I’d rather be (except maybe the beach) on a warm sunny evening.

Explore the surrounding gardens to the sound of music, or take a stroll through the lit paths after sundown when the music is replaced with thriving birdlife. It’s a true slow travel experience, showcasing life in Wellington and all its priorities.

The Wellington Botanic Garden is a green utopia in an already-green city, perfect for forest-bathing. It’s the antidote to a stressful day, or a nourishing weekend activity. It reconnects your heart and spirit to nature, allows you to get lost in gentle forests that cradle you and show you the way through a myriad of paths.

I hope you get to visit soon.