Otari-Wilton to Botanical Gardens
Wellington · Point to Point
This walk comes from licensed public walk data and is being progressively confirmed against the authorities. Signs on the day always win. The rule-setter’s own wording: “Dogs are welcome at Ōtari-Wilton's Bush but must be kept on a short lead at all times to help protect native wildlife. (Wellington Gardens, Ōtari-Wilton's Bush, Dog walking. At the far end the same operator's Botanic Garden page says dogs are welcome as long as they are on a lead.)”. Evidence: a hand-checked correction against the authority. How we check dog rules.
Good to know
Dogs are allowed here. Keep them on the lead, watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.
About Otari-Wilton to Botanical Gardens
Otari-Wilton to Botanical Gardens is a point-to-point of 6.9 km, in Wellington.
The lead is not optional at either end of this one. Ōtari-Wilton's Bush is the only public botanic garden in the country given over entirely to native plants, and Wellington Gardens asks for a short lead the whole way through, to keep dogs off the ground dwelling birds and lizards the reserve exists for. Dog waste bins are on site, but bring your own bags. The Botanic Garden at the other end carries the same lead rule. If you want off lead time either side of the walk, Te Ahumairangi Hill is the closest place for it.
It sits at the moderate end and gains roughly 258 m, pitching up to 28 % at its steepest, and takes about 2–2.5 hr to walk.
Along the way there are native forest, big views, waterfalls, and town-edge walking. Dogs are allowed here, on the lead. Walkers rate it 3.9 / 5 across 5 reviews.