WellingtonNZ.com,
New Zealand 

Step back in time to an ancient world. Enter the tranquil Fernery, tiptoe through the treetops on the Canopy Walkway, hike the trails to find the 800-year-old rimu. Otari-Wilton’s Bush is the only botanic garden in New Zealand solely dedicated to native plants, as well as being the country's foremost native plant collection. In this unique plant sanctuary there are 5 hectares of plant collections and 90 hectares of mature and regenerating native bush. The mature podocarp-northern rata forest is the only remnant of this once common forest type in the Wellington peninsula. Otari has over 10kms of excellent walking tracks, a treetop canopy walkway soaring 18 metres above the forest floor, large alpine garden, picnic areas and a modern visitor centre.

Car parking, 10 minutes from city (frequent public bus transport No 14 Wilton). Open every day sunrise to sunset. Free entry.