Just five minutes from Christchurch city centre, Mona Vale is a haven of peace and an ideal spot to take a breather from a hectic holiday. The Mona Vale gardens cover five and a half hectares and slope gently down to the Avon River that flows through the city.

With beautifully manicured lawns and exquisite flower beds, the gardens will delight keen gardeners and those simply looking for somewhere pretty and peaceful to while away a few hours.

Among the popular areas is the Rose Garden, which was established in 1994 and has many heritage varieties flowering alongside modern hybrids.

Another interesting feature is the copper-domed gazebo with stained glass windows, which sits on the Mound Lawn, while the Iris lawn is a popular spot for family picnics or simply to sit and enjoy the sunshine for a while. Children should be supervised especially near the lily pond and the river and dogs are also welcome but must be kept on a lead while in the grounds.

The Mona Vale Homestead and Pantry cafe are open.

There is parking available next to Mona Vale or visitors can stroll through Hagley Park from the central city to the gardens.

The gardens are open every day usually until one hour before sunset, but visitors are advised to check opening times when they arrive.