Length of stay: 1 day
Visited: April 2025
Nearly every city and town in New Zealand has a botanical garden. They are typically free to visit, are exceptionally well-maintained and feature a mix between native and exotic plants and flowers. The Hamilton Gardens charge an admission fee, but they are reputed to be the crown jewel of botanical gardens in the country. It consists of 18 enclosed gardens with themes and inspiration from around the world.
It was a bit of a drab and dreary afternoon to be outdoors. But you can always count on the rain to keep the crowds away. We arrived at the Hamilton Gardens in the early afternoon and had the place mostly all to ourselves. Once we purchased our tickets, we picked up a map and set off through the different gardens, each numbered and connected by a series of pathways and walkways.
The Hamilton Gardens feature a wide range of themed gardens, often with a combination of plants and intricate structures. There were some common gardens, as you would expect in a botanical garden, like a Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden and Rose Garden (which was closed for reconstruction).
Many of the gardens were inspired from gardens around the world and incorporate different cultures, histories, designs and details. Some of our favorites were the Indian Char Bagh Gardens (inspired by the four gardens of paradise described in the Quran), Italian Renaissance Garden (inspired by ancient myths and perfect symmetry), Tudor Garden (to represent 16th century English aristocracy) and Ancient Egyptian Gardens (a sacred garden of an Egyptian Temple).
There were also a few creative and unusual gardens, like the Surrealist Garden with twisty strange shaped trees and giant garden tools.
The rain eventually subsided and we circled back to a few of the gardens we visited earlier. We could have easily stayed for longer, but it was time to start thinking about dinner.
L
Such a beautiful place! I love the plants that look like hands, amazing. ❤️😊
I could spend all day outside on the trail or in the garden. The Surrealist Garden was such a neat concept and was one of my favourites.
I don’t remember visiting Hamilton Botanical Garden during my few days in the capital; I mainly remember the strong, frequent winds, but what you show here is splendid. I particularly like the English Tudor garden. This diversity of styles offers an immersive cultural journey. It is an exceptionally well-maintained masterpiece that is well worth a visit.
After visiting Hobbiton in the morning we were looking for a nearby afternoon activity and the Hamilton Garden seemed like a perfect spot to pass the time. We were a bit hesitant since this was the only botanical garden that we had to pay to visit while in NZ, but after visiting, I totally get it. The gardens were expansive, intricate and very meticulously kept. The Tudor Garden was one of my favourites too and was very visually appealing. It was neat to learn more about where they drew their inspiration from.
Looking at the Tudor garden and the surrealist garden, I’m already in awe. But, what made me smile is you under the giant garden cart. I’d like to push that.🤭🤩 I also giggle about the rain creating less crowd. Love it. And…. I love the length of this blog so far. 🤗
Aww thanks Hazel. The garden designs were really neat and fun to explore. The Surrealist was one of my favourites with the giant garden tools and cart. Thankfully the rain was rather light and it subsided mid-way through our visit. When we were leaving it was starting to get busier, so we were happy to have some peace and quiet earlier, even if it was raining.
Seems like the early rain is a blessing. My pleasure, Linda! Happy weekend.
The twisted trees looks very interesting ( looks very twisted! )
The twisty trees were really cool! I’ve never seen anything like that in a botanical garden before!
I thought Char Bagh would be my favourite, by th Edward Scizzorhands Surrealist gardens are so unique, I can imagine spending a lot of time in it. Maggie
We visited a lot of botanical gardens in NZ and this was hands down our favourite. The Surrealist Garden was one of my favourite themes too. Such a neat concept and everything was just spot on. You’re right, the twisty trees do have a Edward Scissorhands vibe to them!
You really have a gift for finding the most beautiful and amazing places to travel to. These gardens sound incredible, and the pictures are amazing too. I would absolutely love to see this one day. I can only imagine how much more breathtaking it must be in person.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Willie. I’m such a fan of a nicely maintained garden. This one was really neat given all the different themes and styles. While it would have been nice to enjoy some sunshine, at least the rain kept the crowds away.
The Surrealist Garden is something I wouldn’t have guessed would be there. It’s unique and kind of spooky.
The Surrealist Garden has such a neat design. And you’re right, it seems very unexpected, but in a good way. The twisty strange shaped trees were brilliant.
I would love those 18 gardens! Rain or not, they are beautiful. How great that you had the place to yourself. The photo of you in the surrealist garden is fantastic although I find its theme of giant garden tools and shrubs shaped like potting forks to be interesting but somewhat odd.
We visited a lot of different botanical gardens in NZ and this was hands down our favourite. While this was the only one we had to pay to enter, it was well worth it considering how extensive and elaborate the gardens are. There was still lots to see considering we were visiting late in the year (approaching winter). The Surrealist Garden is wacky and strange, but such a neat concept. Can’t say I’ve seen a similar theme for a garden before!
The surrealist garden is… odd, perhaps, is the right word? Definitely not what I would have expected to see!
Odd is a good way of describing it. It was such a strange concept, but really worked well. It would be neat to visit on a windy day to see the trees come alive with movement. But then again, given that it was raining, I was thankful that it wasn’t windy that day!
These gardens are really stunning, even on a gloomy day. Love the Egyptian feature.
Oh absolutely! Even in the rain the gardens were still beautiful. And if anything, it helped keep the people away, which is always a bonus!
That really is a bonus!
Oh I know. The crowds can definitely ruin an experience.
The Hamilton Gardens look impressive Linda. Coincidentally our helicopter pilot in Darwin told us he was from Hamilton and he enthused about the gardens too! Not sure about the surrealist section but all the rest looks really nice! Hope you have a good weekend. Marion
Oh cool! The Hamilton Gardens are pretty spectacular. We visited a lot of botanical gardens in NZ and this one was by far the most impressive and extensive. I highly recommend. They were very creative with all the different themes.
What a lovely botanical garden; I love all of the thematic gardens. The topiaries are quite fun. (Suzanne)
The different themes were very creative and nicely presented. It was a neat mix between plants, flowers and detailed structures. We could have easily spent the entire afternoon there … if it wasn’t raining. But even in the rain, we enjoyed our visit.
Wow Linda, Hamilton’s garden punches way above its weight. Beautiful even in the New Zealand gloom weather. A good place to visit during showers. Did you try to give that wheelbarrow a push? Have a great Friday. Allan
The Hamilton Gardens were lovely and well worth the entrance fee. We didn’t mind the rain so much as it was light and helped keep the crowds away. We pretty much had the place to ourselves, which made the experience more memorable. I did not try to give the massive wheelbarrow a push! I totally should have though! Next time I’ll channel my inner Allan and try to get more creative with our selfies!
Beautiful garden. The Surrealist Garden looks like zombies!
Totally! The topiary in the Surrealist Garden looked wild, but in a good way of course! I’ve never seen that theme in a garden before.
I love all the unique designs in this garden, so pretty!
The gardens were exceptionally beautiful and very well-designed. We visited a lot of different botanical gardens in NZ and this one was our favourite.
What a beautiful place! The surrealist garden is so cool too! Gorgeous pictures!!
Thanks! The Hamilton Gardens were a real treat to explore, even in the rain.
Wow The Hamilton Gardens are so pretty and interesting. It’s good that you stood by the tools so we could get an accurate picture of how big they really are. And I think this is a great idea for every town “Nearly every city and town in New Zealand has a botanical garden.”
Oh I know. It’s such a fantastic approach how most cities and towns had their own botanical garden. Most were free to visit. The Hamilton Gardens was the only exception, but it was well worth the entrance fee considering how extensive and elaborate the gardens were. It’s a great way to enjoy nature while still being in the city.
Holy meatballs!! 18 enclosed gardens!! That’s super impressive given the fact that they were also the most intricate little gardens. I really love that they went all in. Stunning piccies 🙂
It’s impressive how many themed gardens there were and how each one had its own distinct look and feel. They are planning to add 17 more. I’d be curious to see what other interesting themes and concepts they come up with.
Lovely gardens, so attractive…our countdown has begun so the note taking from your posts is in overdrive!
That’s right! Your trip to NZ is coming up! You must be getting excited! I’m excited for you!
What wonderful gardens! I am so glad you were not put off by the rain. My daughter pointed out that the colours of growing things under cloudy skies don’t look ‘washed out’ by strong sunlight. My camera agrees as does your lovely photos. 😍
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. The gardens were spectacular. The rain wasn’t ideal, but it kept the crowds away, so I’d say it worked out well. And your daughter is right about how pictures can look so different depending on the weather. Have a wonderful weekend. Linda
Stunning! Elements of the location remind me of Taliesin West in Scottsdale (Frank Lloyd Wright’s house). Lovel to see you! 👋🏻😊
Good to know. We’ve toured through a few Frank Lloyd Wright houses and would love to visit more. Sounds like a good reason for us to return to Arizona.
I’ll join you! 🏜️😊
All the more reason for us to visit. That would be lovely 🙂
😊
Incredible, such a lovely place!! I have this thing about being in the exact right place at the exact right moment in your personal history. I’d say you nailed that concept! 🌺
Awww thanks for your sweet comment! I’m such a fan of botanical gardens which is why we visited so many when we were in NZ. This was the only one we had to pay to get in, but it was totally worth it. I imagine the upkeep and maintenance is a lot!
These are fabulous gardens. What a great way to spend an afternoon.
Oh I know. Even in the rain, the gardens were a lot of fun to explore. It was neat to see so many distinctly different themes and collections.
I can see why it’s the crown jewel of botanical gardens in the country. It looks so scenic and charming, even in the drab weather. Love that it explores different themes and cultures from around the world. Definitely worth the trek, Linda!
I’m typically not a fan of the rain. But in this case I didn’t mind it too much as it was just lightly raining and it probably helped deter the crowds. I couldn’t believe we had the place mostly all to ourselves. The various themes were impressive and extremely creative. This might actually be one of our favourite botanical gardens that we’ve ever visited.
“Nearly every city and town in New Zealand has a botanical garden” – my kind of place! These gardens are absolutely beautiful, I’d easily lose a whole day exploring 🙂
You’d go crazy for all the botanical gardens in NZ. They definitely have the right idea to have one in every town and city. This is the only one we had to pay to visit, but it was well worth every penny. The themes were quite creative and the gardens were very meticulously maintained.
I always love visiting botanical gardens and this one looks well worth the admission, despite the less than ideal weather. It is a bonus not having the crowds though!
Oh absolutely! At first we were confused why this botanical garden charged an admission fee as all the other botanical gardens we visited in NZ have been free. I can see why though given how extensive and elaborate the grounds are. While it was raining, at least it was’t heavy. And I’ll take the rain if it means not having to deal with other people, which always have a way of ruining things, especially pictures!
The different themes are really cool, and I like the fact that they include garden designs inspired by different places across the globe. I can see why they charge an admission fee, but it looks like it’s worth it.
They were pretty creative with all the various themes. It’s hard to believe they’re planning to add 17 more gardens. I’m curious to hear what else they’ll come up with. And yes, while this was the only botanical garden in NZ that we had to pay to visit, it was worth every penny.
So wonderful post Hamilton Gardens 🌷🙏👍🏻such a lovely and greenish photos attracts the eyes 👀 😊
Tha garden shining beauty of nature , and a Symbol of art 🖼 Thank you for sharing my dearest friend 🥰👏
Thanks for your lovely comment. Even in the rain, the gardens were still beautiful and we had a lot of fun seeing all the different themes and collections.
Yes, really wonderful 😮 thank you so much for likes my feedback and you are most welcome with love 💕 my sweet friend and Be Blessed 🌷🙏🥰🌷
You as well. Enjoy the rest of the day.
🌷🙏🥰🖖🌷
Like a botanical sculpture garden. Beautiful.
Beautiful indeed. It was a nice balance between sculptures and plants. And I loved how there were so many different themes.
Absolutely breathtaking photos! I love visiting botanical gardens when traveling. A nice place to relax and breathe. Happy New Year!
Me too. We visited a lot of fantastic botanical gardens in NZ and I loved that most of them were free. The Hamilton Gardens was clearly the star of the show though. Hard to believe they plan to double the number of themed gardens. Happy New Year to you as well. Hope it’s off to a great start!
Another place we just drove through (we ran out of time towards the end of our visit to NZ). The botanical garden is beautiful – lovely photos and how crazy is that big wheelbarrow and garden fork.
Sorry to hear that you ran out of time. We felt the same when we were visiting NZ. It’s actually a pretty big country. It’s impossible to see it all in several weeks or even months! The timing worked out well when we were passing through Hamilton and were able to explore the gardens. Best botanical garden we visited on our trip, and we went to a lot of different botanical gardens.
Absolutely beautiful! It is like you stepped into a different world around every corner.
I love how you phrased that. Each garden had its own distinct look and layout. It was a beautiful balance between plants, flowers, sculptures and structures.
Beautiful! I love the creativity of the gardens and how they’ve really committed to the themes. You can tell which garden is which just from looking at them. The topiary in the surrealist garden is incredible 🙂
They were certainly creative with the various themes and designs of the gardens. They plan to add 17 more themes in the future. I’m curious to see what they are.
Even in the rain, I feel the beauty you describe blossoming. Each garden at Hamilton Gardens feels like a journey around the world, where colors, shapes, and cultures meet in harmony. I loved imagining the tranquil paths, the spaces inspired by India, Italy, and Egypt, and even the surreal corners where the imagination runs wild. Your account makes us realize that sometimes the true magic lies in walking slowly, feeling the atmosphere, and letting each detail touch the soul. Congratulations on the blog; I’m getting to know New Zealand through your writing.
Thanks so much for your kind words and leaving a comment. The rain wasn’t ideal, but it was pretty light and helped keep the other tourists away, so it actually worked out well. As a result, the gardens were very peaceful. I was impressed at how many different themes there were, each with their own distinct design and layout. Our time in NZ was coming to an end at this point. It was such an amazing trip. Once in a lifetime.
Despite the dreary day, the Hamilton Gardens still look cheerful. Those surreal sculptures might show up in my dreams tonight!
Thankfully the rain wasn’t torrential. I must say, it was actually really peaceful. We had the gardens pretty much all to ourselves. The topiary in the Surreal Garden was something else! It was actually one of my favourite themes.
Nice!
Gardens are always high on our list for visits because my husband used to design them for a living. This looks a lovely one xx
What a fascinating and fun job. We both enjoy gardening, but oh wow is it a lot of work. I have such an appreciation for people who are able to design gardens and to keep them well-maintained too, of course!
What an imaginative group of green places! I adore Japanese gardens, but this was way beyond. The maze-like one and the Surrealist look pretty wonderful.
This is one of the best botanical gardens we’ve ever visited. There were lots of creative themes and collections and just all around beautiful display of plants and flowers. While it was a bit rainy, we couldn’t believe we had the place mostly all to ourselves.
I would not mind to pay to visit such a gorgeous garden.
We were confused at first because all the other botanical gardens that we visited in NZ were free. But I can totally see why they charge an admission fee given how extensive and elaborate the gardens were. It was well worth it.