1 / 3Bason Botanic Gardens
📍 Castlecliff, Manawatu-Wanganui
A large, beautifully kept botanic garden minutes from Whanganui, best for families who like to wander, picnic and fire up a BBQ. No playground, so it suits explorers rather than kids after play equipment.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
If your kids are happy exploring, wandering the different plant areas and having a BBQ or picnic, this is a lovely, low-key day out just minutes from Whanganui. Just know there's no playground, so it suits families who like to roam and explore rather than ones needing structured play equipment.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →628 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Wayne Ralph
9 months ago
“We spent over 2 hours wandering around this beautiful place. The plants and flowers are amazing and just to think, it's only a few minutes out of Whanganui! There are lots of places to have a BBQ, sit on benches and soak up the atmosphere and numerous groups of plants, such as succulents, roses and ferns. Very well worth visiting and be sure to bring your camera!”
Marita Houpapa
a month ago
“What a hidden treasure. Out in the countryside not far from Whanganui, this place has open picnic grounds surrounded by bush, trees, paths to walk thru. It's not a small area either to discover as it has a gentle road to drive through from the entrance..back to the entrance. Well worth discovering if you haven't already.”
scheinen blitzen
9 months ago
“For us, it turned out to be a perfect place to relax between our trip from New Plymouth to Wellington. And it was a great idea! You feel like you’re in a paradise garden, knowing it’s all the result of skilled and caring hands. I’d happily visit again when the little orchids have grown and are in bloom.”
📊 Commonly mentioned in Google reviews
Based on Google review tagsBbq
84 reviews
Picnic
69 reviews
Family place
53 reviews
Walks
51 reviews
Peaceful atmosphere
17 reviews
Overview
The kind of place where you lose a couple of hours just wandering the different plant areas, spread out over a big enough patch that the kids can roam. There are BBQs and loads of picnic tables and communal spots to claim, plus a frisbee golf course that loops around the gardens (hire the frisbees from the Pukeko's Nest Cafe up the road). Pram-friendly and easy parking, but no playground, so bring kids who are happy to explore rather than ones needing swings and slides.
