The Botany Gardens
Experience Botany Town Centre – Fashion, Food, Gardens and Frogs!
Botany Town Centre is one of New Zealand’s largest retail developments. The international award wining Town Centre concept is a unique shopping experience in itself with over 160 stores, cafes and restaurants to discover as you meander along cobbled lanes and picturesque piazzas. But, there’s a whole new world to discover.
Prior to development, the site was commercial farmland, all but devoid of trees. We believe that Botany Town Centre is the most extensive “greenfields” planting project to be undertaken in New Zealand in the past 30 years. There are over 700 native trees and shrubs including Kauri, Totara, Titoki, Kowhai and Pohutukawa and the collection of indigenous flaxes, grasses and native irises is believed to be the largest in New Zealand.
Take your time and tour around the beautiful Gardens at Botany Town Centre. The external boundary and cycle path represent the original forest that covered this region of Auckland. Of special note are the wetlands and the flax arboretum with sacred taonga or living treasures of the local Iwi. The old, stagnant swamp is now a thriving wetlands with it’s own self sustaining ecosystem complete with wetlands foliage and several native bird species including Pukeko, Pied Stilt and Swallows. During summer months, visitors are privy to the enchanting chorus of breeding frogs, an indication of a clean and healthy environment.
As you move further into the Centre, you’ll find plants and trees representative of the farmland of the European settlers including commonly found trees such as London Planes and Poplars which are used in shelterbelts, as well as grape, kiwifruit and passionfruit vines.
From here, we move into Garden Lane showcasing native plants and featuring three Kiwi-themed children's play areas and integrated gardens. The first garden features the Plunket Reflecting Pool at the centre of the maze. The second garden is our take on 'Middle Earth' complete with Hobbit Hut, toadstool table and chairs and vertical rock formations! The third garden contains a giant 'Lizards and Ladders' board game and water feature. Plenty of mystery, intrigue and fun for our younger shoppers to enjoy!
The 'Lizards and Ladders' play area and garden brings you to Town Square, the heart of the village. Liquid Amber trees line the footpaths in the main street, Town Centre Drive, and provide shade in summer for visitors to the cafes and a magnificent autumnal display.
Last but not least is a visit to the international award winning Kauri sculpture and copper etchings in the Conservatory. Giant Kauri sculptures hang from the ceiling while the visitor follows the copper stream below complete with native flora and fauna etchings.
As a final treat, take a break at one of the many cafes and immerse yourself in the village-like buzz of Botany Town Centre.
Prior to development, the site was commercial farmland, all but devoid of trees. We believe that Botany Town Centre is the most extensive “greenfields” planting project to be undertaken in New Zealand in the past 30 years. There are over 700 native trees and shrubs including Kauri, Totara, Titoki, Kowhai and Pohutukawa and the collection of indigenous flaxes, grasses and native irises is believed to be the largest in New Zealand.
Take your time and tour around the beautiful Gardens at Botany Town Centre. The external boundary and cycle path represent the original forest that covered this region of Auckland. Of special note are the wetlands and the flax arboretum with sacred taonga or living treasures of the local Iwi. The old, stagnant swamp is now a thriving wetlands with it’s own self sustaining ecosystem complete with wetlands foliage and several native bird species including Pukeko, Pied Stilt and Swallows. During summer months, visitors are privy to the enchanting chorus of breeding frogs, an indication of a clean and healthy environment.
As you move further into the Centre, you’ll find plants and trees representative of the farmland of the European settlers including commonly found trees such as London Planes and Poplars which are used in shelterbelts, as well as grape, kiwifruit and passionfruit vines.
From here, we move into Garden Lane showcasing native plants and featuring three Kiwi-themed children's play areas and integrated gardens. The first garden features the Plunket Reflecting Pool at the centre of the maze. The second garden is our take on 'Middle Earth' complete with Hobbit Hut, toadstool table and chairs and vertical rock formations! The third garden contains a giant 'Lizards and Ladders' board game and water feature. Plenty of mystery, intrigue and fun for our younger shoppers to enjoy!
The 'Lizards and Ladders' play area and garden brings you to Town Square, the heart of the village. Liquid Amber trees line the footpaths in the main street, Town Centre Drive, and provide shade in summer for visitors to the cafes and a magnificent autumnal display.
Last but not least is a visit to the international award winning Kauri sculpture and copper etchings in the Conservatory. Giant Kauri sculptures hang from the ceiling while the visitor follows the copper stream below complete with native flora and fauna etchings.
As a final treat, take a break at one of the many cafes and immerse yourself in the village-like buzz of Botany Town Centre.
