In 1966 Stanley and Blanche Bason offered the 25 hectare property, to the Wanganui City Council for the creation of a botanical reserve. He made a promise of more finance for development, with the proviso that within ten years there must be at least primary development of a conservatory complex. The Council eventually accepted the gift, subject to Stanley Bason's right to the use of the homestead during his lifetime. Stanley and Blanche Bason stayed on as curators until Blanche passed away in 1969 and Stanley in 1976.
Work on the botanical reserve started with roading and the damming of the Mowhanau Stream into a double pond complex. Conservatories were completed in 1980 and the Blanche Bason Conservatory was dedicated to her memory. To avoid confusion with a similarly named sports ground in Wellington, the Basin Reserve, the name was changed to Bason Botanic Gardens and in 1998 the BBG Trust was formed and generous bequests from individuals and associated societies have allowed for much of its development of botanical collections and architectural features. The Bason Botanic Gardens today offers opportunities for people of all ages with fun, entertainment and education. Its numerous indoor and outdoor gardens, bush walks and relaxation areas provide all year round enjoyment. To guarantee this, extensive planting of native and introduced plants has been carried out over the years and this is being extended every year. The original homestead is still in use and the homestead garden has been maintained and developed for the enjoyment of visitors.
Easy parking close by.
The cache is a small 200ml tube with only a logbook so ensure you bring a pen.
Ensure that you put the cache back firmly and exactly as you found it and cover it well. Normally a quiet area but muggles can appear very suddenly and without warning so take care. The trees and the hills also will make your GPS very unreliable.
FTF honours go to "rattll"