Exploring Miramar Community Gardens
Located on Te Motu Kairangi / Miramar Peninsula in Wellington, the Miramar Community Gardens, also the Miramar Prison Garden, provide a vibrant contrast to the nearby derelict Mt Crawford Prison at the top of Mount Crawford. Nestled behind pine trees, these gardens are a delightful spot to explore, especially in early spring when they burst with a variety of native and exotic flowers.
A Unique Garden Experience
Shared gardens are a rare sight in New Zealand, making the Miramar Community Gardens a unique destination. The gardens are filled with vegetables and an array of colours and blooms, a peaceful retreat from the imposing presence of the adjacent prison. At the northern end, an old "prison gardens" sign marks the road leading down to the gun emplacements, adding a historical touch to your visit.
How to get there
To get to the Miramar Community Gardens from Central Wellington, take State Highway 1 towards the airport. As you approach the final airport turnoff, instead head north for a short distance to Mirimar Avenue. Turn east, then almost immediately north onto Maupuia Road. Continue north as the road changes to Akaroa Drive, then Main Road. The gardens are situated just below and to the west of the old Mt Crawford Prison, hidden behind the pine trees. The drive takes 20 minutes and is 9 km.
You can also walk along the track north of the gardens to the old gun emplacements, then continue to the Massey Memorial. Other places to visit around the peninsula, including Tarakena Bay, Breaker Bay, Worser Bay, Scorching Bay and Point Halswell to Shelly Bay.
