
Glasshouse - image taken by writer
There are many different walking trails to explore around
Dunedin Botanic Gardens and it is even possible to travel around the world in one hour in the Geographic Plant Collection, where wild plant species from every continent (except Antarctica) are represented.

Knot Garden - image taken by writer
Amongst the twenty five plant collections, the flat lower section of the gardens comprise the Formal Rose Garden, Celtic Knot Garden, Herb Garden and the Winter Garden Glasshouse. We took our time smelling the heritage roses, and the kids had a long play in the playground and enjoyed feeding the resident ducks.

Lower Gardens - image taken by writer
As we followed the tracks further up the hill, we passed through the Cedars of Lebanon Grove and discovered there is a Rhododendron Dell, Fern Gully, a Mediterranean Garden and an amazing aviary. There were many sections to the aviary and we visited parrots, budgerigars, Macaws, and the unusual sounding South Island Kaka bird.

Herb gardens - image taken by writer
Each section of the Dunedin Botanic Gardens were certainly impressive and the sunny slopes and hidden nooks were well worth taking the time to appreciate. There is also a café at the gardens, and many picnic tables for an al fresco lunch surrounded by camellias.

Upper gardens - image taken by writer