Wellington - Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens (26ha) lie in the center of the city on the Kelburn Hills. The cable car that runs up to the gardens is an experience in itself. This 610m long funicular railroad, opened in 1902, climbs from Lambton Quay, opposite Gray Street, to a height of 122m. The old wooden cars were replaced in 1979 by modern ones made in Switzerland. From the hilltop there is a magnificent view of Wellington.

The Botanic Gardens were opened in 1869. At the entrance are the Carter Observatory belonging to the Meteorological Institute and a number of other university scientific institutes. The high points of the gardens are the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, with over 500 varieties of roses, the begonia house, the herb garden, the Maori herb beds and a garden designed to raise concern for the environment. The walk through the gardens ends at the north exit in Glenmore Street, which has retained its Victorian wrought-iron gates and porter's lodge.