Otari-Wilton’s Bush is open daily. Entry is free. Tāne Whakapiripiri Visitor Centre is open 7.00am - 4pm daily.
The main entrance is at 150 Wilton Road, Wilton.
- Charitable Trust dedicated to Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
- A Six-star Garden of International Significance
- One hundred hectares of ancient and regenerating forest
- New Zealand’s only public botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants
- 1200 native plant species, hybrids and cultivars all within five hectares
- Walking trails and paths, picnic lawns, guided walks, guided talks and volunteer opportunities
- Birdsong, eels, koura, wētā, skinks, glow worms, and more
- Free entry and open all hours
Nau mai haere mai ki Ōtari
The Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust was established to support the preservation of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, and to build public awareness about the unique plant diversity found here. Welcome to our website.
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush encompasses the five hectare Ōtari Native Botanic Garden, New Zealand’s only public botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants, Wilton’s Bush Reserve, original podocarp/northern rātā forest once common across the Wellington Peninsula, and 100 hectares of mature, regenerated native forest.
It is designated a six-star Garden of International Significance by the New Zealand’s Gardens Trust of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture.
Walking trails and paths traverse the plant collections, forests and streams. Native birdlife is prolific. People who visit Ōtari include botanists and conservation scientists, garden enthusiasts, education groups, friends and families, along with our community of Trust volunteers who work in myriad ways to help care for this special place.
Tāne Whakapiripiri, the Visitor Centre, is open daily, while the neighbouring Leonard Cockayne Centre is available for hire for small meetings and events.
The Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Laboratory, a centre for conservation science research, is based at Ōtari.
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is managed by the Wellington City Council. An on-site team of the Council’s Wellington Gardens staff care for the gardens, forest, tracks and other facilities.
The Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust supports the preservation of Ōtari through advocacy and volunteer work, and fosters public awareness, education and enjoyment through guided walks, seminars, events and providing funding for conservation research and education.
You’ll find us just a few kilometres from Wellington’s CBD.
Photo: © Chris Coad
Photo: © Andy McArthur
Photo: © Andy McArthur
Photo: © Phil Parnell