Take a walk in the gardens, or a hike in the bush, pack something to cook on the barbie, wander the plant collections, enjoy the birds, see what’s flowering, or join a Trust guided tour – we just love showing off Ōtari!
Main entrance and car park: 150 Wilton Road, Wilton.
Northern entrance and car park: opposite the end of Blackridge Road.
Getting here: drive, bike or walk, or take the Number 14 (Wilton) bus from the city. It’s an approximately 15 minute journey by car from Wellington city centre to Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. Route | Map
Please, no bike riding in Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. Dogs are welcome on a leash only!
Paparangi Girl Guides spotted bag moths, stick insects, eels, many spiders and of course gorgeous glowworms on their night tour in winter, 2024Each winter we lead guided tours in the dark to discover glowworms, and other creatures who venture out in the night in Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. Word certainly got out about our guided glowworm tours this last winter, when we hosted some 250 people in 13 tours. More wanted to come but there was no room at the inn. We will of course be guiding more tours in 2025 – we will time these for early or late moon cycles, when the sky is darker and the glowworms brighter! Keep a watch for the dates here.
Each year the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust hosts a annual programme of seminars, inviting experts in their fields to discuss the wonderful natural world supported in Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. We’ve been doing this now for 21 years! Here’s a brief look back at the topics our dedicated presenters covered this year. And we’ll be back in 2025!
“100 Year moth project – update and overview” Julia Kasper, Te Papa Lead Curator, Entomology / William Brockelsby, entomologist and 100 Year Moth Project co-ordinator
“Genetic restoration of maire tawake in a changing natural environment: learning for this taonga species and thoughts on Aotearoa’s drive to restore habitat.” Colan Balkwill, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington
“Is it art or is it science? The difference between Botanical Illustration and Botanical Art and why this continues to be relevant in the age of technology.” Jane Humble, botanical artist, co-ordinator Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust propagation nursery
“Weedy ferns in Aotearoa New Zealand” Leon Perrie, Curator of Botany, Te Papa
Our annual guided walks programme gets bigger and better each year and 2024 was no exception. Check the list below for what we did, and watch this space early next year for news of our 2025 programme.
Discovering the insect life of Ōtari : Will Brockelsby, DOC Entomologist
See the world of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush through the life of insects.
Understanding the ecology of Ōtari
Annemieke Hendricks, Ecologist
Learn how the plants and animals of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush interact and thrive alongside each other.
The wonderful world of Wellington weeds.
Illona Keenan, weed specialist
Hear about the challenges of managing more the than 150 weed species found in the city, followed by a walk to uncover some of these invasive species and the problems they cause.
An introduction to the cutting-edge research taking place at the Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Laboratory
Karin van der Walt, Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Conservation Scientist
Visit New Zealand’s only native plant laboratory and learn about the research happening here to save our rare species - from towering kauri to tiny native orchids and their mycorrhizal fungi.
A walk through the heritage of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush.
Kathy Ombler, Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trustee
From forest to farm to internationally acclaimed botanic garden: learn about the legacies of the visionary gardeners, botanists, farmers and volunteers of Ōtari-Wilton Bush. See their work, first-hand.
Everything you wanted to know about tawa but were too shy to ask.
Dr Carol West, Ecologist
Learn about the biology of this important forest tree and understand why it’s the dominant canopy species in many North Island forests.
The birds of Ōtari
Hugh Robertson, ornithologist
This is always a popular, easy walk, to learn about the wonderful birdlife to be found in Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush with DOC’s Principal Science Advisor and renowned ornithologist.
Discover how the plants of Otari-Wilton’s Bush defend themselves
Lara Shepherd, Evolutionary Biologist Te Papa
Discover some crafty self-defence techniques that the plants of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush employ to ensure their survival.
An introduction to the restoration projects in the Kaiwharawhara catchment
Nate Rigler, Project Lead – Kia Mouriora te Kaiwharawhara Sanctuary to Sea
An update on restoration projects in the Kaiwharawhara valley, including Zealandia and Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. With a water-based focus, the session will end with a short walk down to the stream.
Introduction to the fungi kingdom
Geoff Ridley, Mycologist
Fungi are different from plants, they have their own biological kingdom. Geoff will guide two walks on consecutive Sundays. The first will be a basic introduction to the enormous fungi kingdom and learning about where to find them. The second tour will delve deeper into the fascinations of our fungi kingdom.
An introduction for beginners to Wellington’s common native plants
Leon Perrie, Curator of Botany, Te Papa
Learn about the diversity of our local and common native plants, and gain appreciation of the ecology and requirements of the plant life around us.
The Trust organises regular . Many focus on themes and are led by specialists in their field. Some examples: finding our fungi, discovering our glow worms, growing native plants, predators and how we are controlling them.
Maps, displays and botanic artwork will get you in the mood for appreciating your Ōtari visit. Take your time to learn about Ōtari from the interactive display. Pick up a brochure, and if our volunteer hosts are in attendance during weekends, they have some interesting books you might like to buy, also they’ll love to answer any questions you might have about exploring Ōtari. Our hosts’ hours are 11am to 4pm (summer daylight saving time) and 10.30am to 3.30pm (winter). The visitor centre is open daily 7.30am to 4pm.
Be like a bird, cross the walkway that soars 18 metres above the forest floor. Look directly into the tree tops. Look out for the birds, kererū could be feeding on fruit right beside you. Don’t trip over a forest gecko, they also like to cross the canopy, which leads from Tāne Whakapiripiri to the Cockayne Lawn and plant collections.
This viewpoint gives perspective to the treasure that is Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush; the myriad plant collections around you, the tall, green forest beyond, the sheer scale of it all, and most likely a kākāriki, or kākā, or tūī flying by. It’s also a place for reflection, to perhaps give a quiet nod of thanks to Dr Leonard Cockayne, who rests here with his wife Maude, beneath the memorial stone in the coastal garden.
More than 1200 plant species, hybrids and cultivars are set out in families, groups and specially created habitats to replicate their natural environments. Check out the fernery, alpine garden, hebe and flax cultivars, and much more. The collections sprawl over five hectares, connected by gentle, meandering pathways and all close to the main entrance. Pick up a brochure from Tāne Whakapiripiri.
Explore this self-guided tour that starts at the Fernery (near the main car park) and ends at the Cockayne Lookout. It was designed by the late Dr John Dawson, a renowned author/botanist and founding Trust member. Pick up a brochure from Tāne Whakapiripiri.
Probably the most popular spot in all of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, the lawn is great for picnics and birthday parties, splashing in the stream or just relaxing in the sun with the forest all around - and usually kererū swooping through. There are barbecues, a shelter and toilets and you can walk in from the main entrance (10 minutes down a bit of a hill) or along the path beside Kaiwharawhara Stream from the northern car park (15 minutes, mostly flat).
‘Moko’ is more than 800 years old and probably the biggest, oldest rimu tree in the whole of Wellington. The track to Moko starts at the Troup Picnic Lawn. In 2022 a more gentle, zig zag route was opened to save your legs and lungs, allow about 20-30 minutes (one way). The platform around Moko was a Trust project, designed to protect the tree’s vulnerable root system from being trampled by visiting humans!