Christchurch Botanic Garden and Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve

Kia Ora!

Discover Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula!

Christchurch, aka The Garden City, was devastated by the earthquakes in Feb 2011. Recovery has been slow, but the city perseveres, and while many of our treasures have been destroyed, many more have been restored and have reopened for our enjoyment.

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens showcase some of the flora of New Zealand and other parts of the world. We will be taking a leisurely stroll through the gardens on a self guided tour.

Founded in 1863 with the planting of an English Oak tree, the Gardens now feature one of the finest collections of exotic and native plants found in New Zealand.

Towering majestic trees - many over 120 years old - dominate the Gardens, forming a striking backdrop to the extensive themed plant collections and sweeping lawns.

A loop of the gently-flowing Avon River, criss-crossed by bridges, encloses a large part of the Gardens while the adjacent 164 hectare Hagley Park enhances its natural splendour.

The Gardens are an oasis in the city of Christchurch - 21 hectares of horticultural displays, several conservatories, memorials, garden art and walking tracks. If time permits, we will wander into the Park to have a look.

Once leaving the central city, we will head out to the Banks Peninsula, an extinct volcano on the Pacific coast. Near the summit of the Akaroa Highway is the Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve.

An outstanding feature of this reserve is a huge forked lowland tōtara which may be 2,000 years old and measures 8.5 metres around its trunk.

The tōtara can be reached after a few minutes walk into the bush which also features tōtara, mataī and fuschia/kōtukutuku.

The track winds up steadily through forest and then north through open grasslands and regenerating bush.

Good views are possible from this section of track. The track then turns and climbs steeply up a gap in the bluffs, over boulders. It reaches open tussock tops before eventually climbing onto “Rocky Peak”, with views of the peninsula and Akaroa Harbour.

Optionally, after our hike we can head down into Akaroa, a beautiful historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano.

This time of year, the sun doesn't set until 10pm, so we plan to take full advantage of that.

Ok, yeah, this is off the beaten path a little from our usual hikes around ATL. But in honor of the first group of AOCers to come visit us way down south, I've put together a little hike for them. We would love it if anyone wants to hop on a plane and join us!

Make your way to Christchurch International Airport (CHC). Recommended by air travel. Everyone will be carpooling to the sites from there.

All times are local - NZDT is EST + 18h.

While there is no cost for the event, members are responsible for all their own transportation costs to CHC.