Discover Domain Wintergarden wheelchair accessible attractions, things to do, tours and activities for disabled travelers. Read our informative review to learn if the Auckland Domain Wintergarden is wheelchair accessible and wheelchair friendly or if Wheelchair Jimmy recommends this attraction be avoided by travelers in wheelchairs.
Auckland Domain is the city’s oldest park. It is spacious and diverse.
The Wintergardens are a feature of the Domain with the Auckland War Memorial Museum sitting at the highest point. There are formal gardens, duck ponds, large green open spaces edged by mature trees, bush walks and statuary.
The park has been developed around the cone of an extinct volcano. The ‘tuff rings’ created by volcanic activity thousands of years ago can be seen in the land contours and forms a natural amphitheater with acres developed as first-class sports fields.
The Formal Gardens evolved from an 1860s Auckland Acclimatisation Society site to test and propagate exotic trees, birds, and trout.
- City Attraction Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Fully Accessible Entry: Yes
- Accessible Restrooms Onsite: No
- Restrictive Steps: No Restrictive Steps
Jim’s Accessibility Comments:
The Wintergarden is located in the central suburb of Grafton in what’s called the Auckland Domain (Auckland largest park) just minutes from city center. When you drive in here (and you’ll need to drive) there is one handicapped parking space and everything is very level with no restrictive steps.
The Wintergarden was established after World War I and is a protected heritage site.
The complex consists of (1) two display glasshouses, one containing temperate plants, the other containing tropical plants, (2) a formal courtyard with a pond in the centre, and (3) a fernery within an old quarry.
If you like Botanical gardens you will love the Wintergarden which is very unique and the setting in this huge park is beautiful. The exhibit is free and just so you know there are NO public restrooms at this site.
We visited only the Tropical House and Fernery and spent an hour or so. There are a couple steps down to the pond but you can easily experience this without going down the steps. The Fernery has no steps, just an easy level path.
It’s really convenient to visit the Wintergarden after you visit the Auckland Museum as they are on the same large property. NOTE: the Google directions and website directions don’t work. Go to the museum or click on my directions above.
New Zealand Travel
