The Botanical Gardens host an impressive framework of mature trees, meandering wide paths, and stunning garden collections. Alongside the native New Zealand bush, the roses and flowerbeds, the riverside garden are the Sister City Gardens said to be the ‘jewels in the crown’ for the Botanical Gardens. Developed between 1997 and 2000, the Palm Desert (USA), Gisborne (Aus), and Nonochi (Japan) gardens are inspired by and represent the Sister City locations, made up of iconic materials and plants.

An important feature of the Botanical Gardens is the open space and area of lawn that it provides for picnics and gathering, as well as an extensive children playground. Another highly regarded feature of the Botanical gardens is the free-flying bird aviary, developed in 1872, now home to a variety of birds.