Bason Botanic Gardens is a 25-hectare botanical garden at 552 Rapanui Road, Westmere — about 8 kilometres west of central Whanganui on the way to Castlecliff. It’s free to visit and open from 8am to dusk daily, with glass conservatories open until 4:30pm. The gardens are known for one of the most extensive public orchid collections in New Zealand, a Japanese tea house, and a design that allows visitors to tour by car as well as on foot.
Practical Information
| Address | 552 Rapanui Road, Westmere, Whanganui |
| Hours | 8am–dusk daily (closing time varies with daylight) |
| Conservatories | Open 9am–4:30pm daily |
| Admission | Free |
| Facilities | Gas BBQs, picnic areas, Japanese tea house, lakeside walk |
| Dogs | Dogs not permitted in the gardens |
| Parking | Free on-site parking |
About the Gardens
Bason Botanic Gardens is managed by a charitable trust and has developed over decades into one of the most varied public gardens in the lower North Island. The 25-hectare site spans landscaped countryside, formal gardens, native plantings, and cultivated specialty collections — with the orchid collection being a particular draw. The conservatories house tender plants including orchids, begonias, and a range of tropical species that wouldn’t survive Whanganui’s winters unprotected.
The central area of the gardens features a sheltered grassy expanse with gas barbecues and picnic facilities — a popular spot for families. A lakeside walk winds around the garden’s centrepiece lake, passing a Japanese tea house and plantings of exotic and native trees. The gardens have extensive internal roading that allows visitors to drive through and stop at points of interest, which makes the whole site accessible for those who prefer not to walk long distances.
Spring is the best time to visit for flowering displays, but the conservatories and orchid collections give year-round interest. Dogs are not permitted in the gardens — this is a condition of visiting the site.
What Visitors Say
TripAdvisor reviewers consistently rate Bason Botanic Gardens as a highlight of the Whanganui area — praising the variety of plantings, the peaceful atmosphere, and the surprise of finding such an extensive free garden outside the city. The orchid conservatories receive particular mention.
Where to Learn More
Bason Botanic Gardens — Official Website — garden map, plant lists, opening hours, facility details, and information about the charitable trust that manages the gardens.
New Zealand Garden Trust — Bason Botanic Gardens — independent overview of the gardens with visitor information and context within the national garden network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bason Botanic Gardens free?
Yes — entry to the gardens is free.
What are the opening hours at Bason Botanic Gardens?
The gardens are open from 8am to dusk daily. The conservatories are open 9am–4:30pm. Closing time varies through the year as it depends on daylight hours.
Are dogs allowed at Bason Botanic Gardens?
No — dogs are not permitted in the gardens.
Where is Bason Botanic Gardens?
At 552 Rapanui Road, Westmere — about 8km west of central Whanganui, on the way toward Castlecliff.
What is special about Bason Botanic Gardens?
The gardens hold one of the most extensive public orchid collections in New Zealand. The 25-hectare site also features a Japanese tea house, lakeside walk, gas BBQ areas, and glass conservatories with year-round displays.
Can I drive through Bason Botanic Gardens?
Yes — the gardens have internal roading that allows visitors to tour by car and stop at key points throughout the site.
For more parks and outdoor spaces in Whanganui, see the guide to Parks and Reserves in Whanganui. Virginia Lake Reserve in St Johns Hill offers a different, more urban lakeside walk closer to the city centre.