Last updated July 2026
Wilton is a quiet residential suburb in western Wellington, best known for Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, New Zealand’s only public botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants. The reserve protects a significant remnant of the original podocarp broadleaf forest that once covered much of the region, including some of Wellington’s oldest trees. It lies about five kilometres from the city centre at 150 Wilton Road and is managed by Wellington City Council with support from the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust. The area offers walking tracks, plant collections, and opportunities to see native birds in a natural setting close to urban Wellington.
Practical Information
| Location | 150 Wilton Road, Wilton, Wellington |
| Key feature | Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush native botanic garden and forest reserve |
| Size | 105 hectares total (100 ha native forest, 5 ha plant collections) |
| Opening hours | Open daily, dawn to dusk |
| Entry | Free |
| Operator | Wellington City Council, supported by Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust |
| Address | 150 Wilton Road, Wellington |
About Wilton
Wilton is a residential suburb on Wellington’s western hills, adjacent to Karori. It developed around farming and early European settlement in the Kaiwharawhara valley, with much of the surrounding land cleared in the nineteenth century. The suburb retains a green, leafy character thanks to the large native forest reserve at its heart.
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush combines protected original forest with curated native plant collections representing species from across New Zealand. The site includes gullies, streams, a canopy walkway, picnic areas, and the Tāne Whakapiripiri Visitor Centre. It supports conservation, research, education, and recreation under four main themes managed by Wellington Gardens.
The reserve is home to around 1,200 native plant species, hybrids, and cultivars. Native birds such as tūī, kererū, kākā, fantails, and grey warblers are commonly seen, with occasional visitors from the nearby Zealandia ecosanctuary. Predator control and revegetation work help maintain the forest’s health.
History of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
The Māori name Ōtari (short for Ōtarikākā) means “place of snares,” reflecting its traditional use as a mahinga kai area for trapping birds. Settler Job Wilton arrived in Wellington in 1841 as a child. In the 1860s he and his wife purchased land in the valley and deliberately set aside and fenced approximately 6.9 hectares of untouched native forest near their homestead to protect it from stock and clearance.
In 1906 the government purchased 54.5 hectares from Māori owners in the Ōtari Native Reserve and designated it a scenic reserve. The land transferred to Wellington City Council in 1918 for recreation and preservation of native flora. Botanist Leonard Cockayne and parks director J.G. Mackenzie developed the site from 1926 as the Ōtari Open-Air Native Plant Museum, establishing collections organised by family and representative ecosystems.
The reserve was renamed Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush in 2000 to recognise both Māori and European contributions to its protection. A major redevelopment in the late 1990s added the canopy walkway, alpine garden, and improved visitor facilities, officially opened in 1999.
Visiting Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
Visitors can explore walking tracks through the forest and gardens, including paths along the Kaiwharawhara Stream and a tree-top canopy walkway. The site features a fernery, ponga grove, harakeke (flax) collection, and seasonal displays of rātā and kōwhai. Picnic areas and the visitor centre provide facilities for day visits.
The reserve is free to enter and suitable for a range of abilities on main paths, though some tracks are steeper. It is popular for quiet walks, birdwatching, and learning about native plants. Regular pest control and volunteer work support ongoing restoration.
What Visitors Often Say
People appreciate how quickly they can reach genuine native forest and old-growth trees just minutes from the city centre. Many highlight the peaceful atmosphere, abundant birdlife, and the impressive range of native plants on display in a natural setting.
Visitors often describe the canopy walkway and forest tracks as highlights, noting the sense of being immersed in bush while still close to urban amenities. Families and walkers value the easy access and opportunities to see native species up close.
Where to Learn More
Wellington Gardens: Official information on the botanic garden, collections, and visiting.
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust: Details on history, management, education programmes, and volunteer opportunities.
Wellington City Council: Current news, events, and management information for the reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wilton located?
Wilton is a residential suburb in western Wellington, adjacent to Karori and about five kilometres from the city centre.
What makes Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush unique?
It is New Zealand’s only public botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants, combining 100 hectares of protected forest with 5 hectares of curated collections representing around 1,200 species.
How old is the rimu tree at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush?
The notable rimu known as Moko is approximately 800 years old and is one of the oldest trees in Wellington.
Who was Job Wilton?
Job Wilton arrived in Wellington in 1841 and in the 1860s set aside and fenced about 6.9 hectares of native forest on his land to protect it from clearance, an early conservation act that contributed to the reserve’s creation.
What does the name Ōtari mean?
Ōtari is short for Ōtarikākā, meaning “place of snares,” referring to its traditional Māori use for trapping birds such as kākā.
When was the reserve renamed Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush?
The name was finalised in 2000 to recognise both the Māori heritage of the area and the European conservation history associated with Job Wilton.
Is Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush free to visit?
Yes, entry is free and the reserve is open daily from dawn to dusk.
What birds can be seen at the reserve?
Common species include tūī, kererū, kākā, fantails (pīwakawaka), and grey warblers (riroriro), with occasional sightings of species such as kākāriki and bellbirds from nearby ecosanctuaries.
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