28/08/2024. Botanic Garden, Chingford Park Grade 3. Hikers. Leaders :Dave Roberts, Vivienne Manning
On a brilliant sunny Dunedin Morning 19 hikers met at the Dunedin Botanic Garden top carpark.
From here we walked across Lovelock Ave onto the amazing Lovelock Bush Track where wild deer grazed 130 years ago. Lovelock was named by former Olympic medalist Jack Lovelock.
The track took us through to the sealed down hill footpath along the Northern Cemetery after a brief stop to admire Larnach’s Tomb which is a small scale production of First Church Architecture we wandered down hill to have morning tea at Thomas Bracken Writer of The National Anthem lookout.
Next it was back up the hill to the cars then a brief walk down to the Aviary before our 11am visit to the $6.2million Dunedin Botanic Propagation Building which opened in 2015.
Here we were met by Alice Lloyd -Fitt who capably explained the history of the Building Development and its functions both for the Botanic Garden and the preservation of many endangered plant species.
We were led on an hour tour of the premises where we visited separate greenhouses each maintaining specific microclimates to suit plants adapted for arid desert, tropical forest through to sub Antarctic Island climates.
Following this we enjoyed having lunch at the Azalea Garden.
Then it was a quick walk down to Lower Garden as this is the oldest botanical garden in New Zealand and was established in 1863 on a site surrounding the Water of Leith.
After extensive flooding in 1868 the garden was moved to its current site in1869.
The garden was extensively enlarged during the early years under the stewardship of David Tannock. The garden covers a total area of 28ha.
The lower gardens features include Winter Garden a heated Edwardian glass house, rose and herb garden a duck pond children’s playground sound shell and Japanese garden. A cafe and visitors centre.
The lower gardens are also noted for their sculptures and statues, among ornate fountain a gift of Wolf Harris. And a pair of statutes by Cecil Thomas depicting Peter Pan.
I have fond memories visiting the Lower Gardens as my Grand Parents would take me to see the monkeys 65 years ago.
We then walked on to Chingford Park past the old Stables. The house was build by P C Neill a prominent Dunedin Businessman and was demolished in the 60s.
We continued along the bush track and wandered around the redwoods along to Lindsay Creek bush walk.
At 3pm we returned to Lower Gardens to have coffee at the Croc Café.
Thank you Vivienne Manning for being tail end charlie.
Distance travelled 11kms
Dave
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.