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.
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!
🏆 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 →623 Google reviews
Wayne Ralph
“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!”
scheinen blitzen
“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.”
Leigh-ana Hale
“Absolutely beautifully maintained. BBQs available. Frisbee golf course that wraps around the gardens. You can hire Frisbee from the Pukeko's Nest Cafe up the road. A great spot for families... no playground but still lots of things to explore for the kids.”
Jan Gillanders
“A beautiful park like gardens with a road running through it and plenty of parks with easy access it inbult BBQs, shelters and grassy lawns. Must be NZs best picnic place ever.”
Reviews from Google
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.
