Eden Garden

Tucked into an abandoned quarry on the eastern slopes of Mt Eden, Eden Garden began in 1964 when a horticulturist and fifteen volunteers set about transforming an overgrown wilderness into what is now a 2.25-hectare national showplace. The paths themselves tell the story — many are named after the society members who built them — and the mature planting that lines them has been tended by volunteers ever since.

The 5.5 acres carry splendid collections of camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, along with jacarandas, magnolias, pohutukawas, maples and Poor Knights lilies, arranged so that something is always coming into flower. Eco-friendly weed control encourages geckos, wetas, butterflies and birds to move freely through the garden, giving children plenty to spot between the blooms.

A café sits on site, and the garden operates as a charitable organisation, with admission fees going directly back into its upkeep. Families looking for a genuinely peaceful few hours close to the city centre will find the pace here a welcome change.