About the West Lynn Garden Society
West Lynn Garden is a public garden covering 4.5 acres (2.5 hectares), created and run by volunteers. OPEN HOURS 10am - 4pm. every day of the year. ENTRY Fee $5 per person, 2 year olds and under are free.
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Formed in 1981 on land originally owned by the Eden Garden Society, the West Lynn Garden Society is an independent organisation of people with a love of gardening and a commitment to the creation and maintenance of a unique environment for the enjoyment of all.
Anyone can join as a member or as a volunteer and help sustain the vision of providing a wondrous place of beauty and peace for all who visit.
The entry fees and membership subscriptions are used to maintain the plants, trees, butterfly house and the many features which are special to West Lynn Garden.
Because of the popularity of West Lynn Garden for functions, it is necessary to book in advance for outdoor functions for groups of 10 or more.
To book please use the form on the Contact page giving details of your group including number of people, proposed date of visit, age group if special assistance is required and any other relevant information or requirements you may have. (See Contact page)
School groups in particular need to state the number of pupils to each teacher present.
Addional charges apply to professional photographers, film crews and similar. Details on request.
Note. Access by wheelchair is good throughout most of the garden including the butterfly house.
Why not become a member? You are welcome to join us. Information is on our Membership page
West Lynn Garden has a No Dogs policy. Guide Dogs excepted.
In memory of a loved one
An ENDOWMENT can be a lasting legacy for your loved one at West Lynn Garden.
Trees planted in the garden can be selected and endowed in memory of your loved one.
A cast metal plaque with the name of the loved one is placed at the base of the tree.
The plaque is included in the cost of an endowment and upkeep of the tree is taken care of by the West Lynn Garden Society for a period of 10 years.
A one year membership to West Lynn Garden is included with a tree endowment. When the membership expires you can then choose whether to renew your membership or pay the current entry cost each time you visit.
Either way, you can continue to visit your tree and remember your loved one.
Message us here for more information on Endowments at West Lynn: Contact
An alternative endowment option is our Memorial Wall.
A cast metal plaque with the name of your loved one is purchased and attached to the memorial wall. This option has a once only cost and provides a place to visit and remember your loved one in perpetuity.
A one year membership to West Lynn Garden is included with a memorial wall endowment. When the membership expires you can then choose whether to renew your membership or pay the current entry cost each time you visit.
Either way, you can continue to visit and remember your loved one.
Get full details and costs of a New endowment. HERE
Get full details and costs of a Re-endowment. HERE
A major attraction at West Lynn Garden. Visitors can witness the complete life cycle from egg to butterfly.
Visit the butterfly house, a really exciting part of the Garden. From December through to April, hundreds of Monarch buterflies can be seen, with lots of eggs, chrysalis and caterpillars - the full life cycle of the Monarch - a unique experience. School parties, family groups and individuals are welcome to come and see the butterflies. Open when the garden is open, 10am to 4pm daily.
Bookings are essential for groups of 10 or more. Email us.
Visiting the butterfly house is included in the $5 garden entry fee.
The female monarch can lay up to 300 eggs on the leaves of Milk Weed (Swan Plant), usually underneath the leaf.
In seven to ten days, these little white eggs turn into tiny caterpillars. The first thing the caterpillar does is to eat the empty shell.
For the next nine to fourteen days the caterpillar eats and eats the Swan Plant. During this time the caterpillar goes through four growth stages called instars. It sheds its skin each time and eats the old skin.
At the fifth instar stage the caterpillar is ready to pupate. It spins a silky thread, attaching itself to the plant and hanging in the shape of a "j" called a crochet.
Finally it's skin splits to reveal the green pupa, which we call a chrysalis. When it hardens little gold dots appear at the very top and bottom.
During all this amazing metamorphosis it loses its mouth, exchanges its sixteen feet for six jointed legs, grows two antennae, a set of rudimentary wings and two complex eyes with full colour vision.
When it is ready to re-enter this world, it picks a warm sunny day to do so.
After splitting the chrysalis and climbing out, it is a rather wrinkled individual, having been wrapped up in such a small place.
It pumps up its four wings and after they are dried it is ready for take off.
During the next few days it will feed on nectar to gain strength. They use their long tongue called a proboscis to suck the nectar from the flower.
Their feet have sensitive taste receptors to locate the nectar.
The female looks darker because she has wider veins on her wings. The male has two black spots or pouches on the lower wings which produce pheromone during courtship.
Now these new butterflies are ready to start another generation, and are on the lookout for a mate.
And so the cycle is complete. Let's do our best to look after them!
Visit the butterfly house, a really exciting part of the Gardens.
From December through to April hundreds of Monarch buterflies can be seen, with lots of eggs, chrysalis and caterpillars - the full life cycle of the Monarch - a unique experience.
School parties, family groups and individuals are welcome to come and see the butterflies.
The butterfly house is open when the garden is open. Bookings essential for groups of 10 or more. Visiting the butterfly house is included in the garden entry fee.
A selection of views around West Lynn Garden
A selection of views and happenings at West Lynn Garden
Membership of the society is open to anyone with an interest in the garden. Paid up members receive newsletters, updating events and plantings in the garden and have unlimited free entry.
The main regular events during the year include Neighbours Day, Family Day, Spring Festival and our Annual General Meeting.
Petanque is another attraction at West Lynn. If you enjoy fresh air and fun with the minimum of excercise, then come and join the petanque group on Sunday morning at 10am. Petanque is also an ideal activity to combine with a family picnic.
In addition there may be other special occasions eg. visits and tree plantings by prominent people and so on.
Such happenings will be advertised here.
West Lynn Garden has a No Dogs policy. Guide Dogs excepted.
FUNCTION CENTRE - both the Meeting Room and Community Education Room are available for hire.
The Community/Education Room can seat 80 people.
The Meeting Room can seat 16 people. Contact us below for more information.
Why not hold your celebrations at West Lynn Garden?
Garden Weddings, Parties etc. Indoor & outdoor venues available. Booking enquiries are welcome.
Message us here with details of proposed booking: Contact
CHECK AVAILABLE DATES ON OUR ONLINE CALENDAR. HERE A selection of views inside the Function Centre For bookings and other enquiries - Contact us here
READ GENERAL CONDITIONS OF HIRE. HERE
GET GARDEN and BUILDING HIRE COSTS. HERE
GET PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM (outdoor use) HIRE COSTS. HERE
GET PORTABLE GAZEBO HIRE COSTS. HERE
GET BRIDAL ARCH HIRE COSTS. HERE
Function Centre Views
Entrance
Community/Education Room
Community/Education Room
Community/Education Room
Kitchen
Kitchen
CONTACT
West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue
New Lynn, Auckland 0600. Phone (09)8277045
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Recommends West Lynn Garden.
Acknowledging their support of the garden.
Bronze Medal NZ Flower & Garden Show 2018
Acknowledging their support of the garden.