The Centre of New Zealand
About
A great viewing point over the city, an iconic walk and a geographical centre of New Zealand. At 147 metres height, the Botanical Hill is must visit in Nelson.
The Chief Surveyor for Nelson in the 1870’s John Spence Browning used the top of the hill as a central survey point for doing the first geodetic survey of New Zealand when earlier isolated surveys were combined.
Is it really the Centre of New Zealand? :-) A survey in 1962 located the centre of New Zealand at 41deg. 30min S., 172deg. 50min E., which is a point in the Spooners Range in the Golden Downs Forest. The survey did not include the Chathams.
To reach the Centre of New Zealand will take 20-60 minutes, depending on your age, speed and fitness. Here are a monument and a needle installed by the Nelson Jaycees in 1969 confirming its unique status as the geographical centre of New Zealand. At the top take a seat and enjoy the stunning view.
There are some options to go uphill and downhill on one of the other tracks including Walters Bluff and through Branford Park.
Additional Information
Subtitle A lookout with a twist.
Address
Hardy Street, Nelson, New Zealand
The starting point is the Botanical Reserve, over a footbridge from the end of Hardy Street, or you can start at the Nelson Visitor Centre or off Founders Park.