Botanic Gardens Day (Aust/NZ) and 40th Anniversary Event - FREE ENTRY

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is celebrating its 40th anniversary so Botanic Gardens Day (Aust/NZ) is extra special for us this year! Our Art Space Gallery has many of our archival photos on display. There will be an official address commencing at 11.00am in the Environment Pavilion with original members of the Gardens who began it all 40 years ago sharing their stories.

We have a range of special talks on (see program below). Topics covered are Bonsai, succulents, orchids, native ponds, grevilleas, rainforests, bush foods, birds and bees - they all have a story here at the Gardens, so stay for the day and don't miss out on anything!

Botanic Gardens are so much more than just a park with trees. Our Gardens are run entirely by volunteers who put all their passion and knowledge into the choosing and growing of the plants here on display. Scientific research is part of the Gardens, too, and there are limited tours available to our herbarium on the day (usually closed to the public).

In conjunction with Botanic Gardens Australia, there is a Grow Your Health Challenge with some great prizes to be won (see flier below) and it ties in very nicely with our new Mindfulness Walk that was launched here at the Gardens in March this year. This will help you make the most out of your experience.

You will be entertained by our wandering minstrels, food will be available at our sausage sizzle, Kookaburra Cafe and scone stall, or bring a picnic.

Take home a plant, join Hunter Region Botanic Gardens as a member, or sign up as a volunteer.

This is a FREE event but donations are very welcome. (Did you know the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is not Council-run and receives no on-going government funding? We rely on our entry fees and event days to raise funds to keep us going. Donations, sponsorship and bequests are gratefully received. Ask today how you can help Grow our Gardens.)

We value the support our community has given us for the past 40 years. Let's celebrate together!

Talk and walks

9.30am Bird walk with Hunter Bird Observers (free but bookings are required - limited numbers - book in ticket section here)

10.00am Mindfulness Walk

11.00am Official opening - history of the Gardens (Kevin Stokes) and our future vision (Prof Tim Roberts) in the Environment Pavilion

11.30am Herbarium tour (book at Information Tent on the day)

11.30am Bonsai talk in the Banksia Room

11.45am Succulents

11.45am Native Ponds

12.00 Mindfulness Walk

12.30pm Grevilleas

12.30pm Herbarium tour (book at Information Tent on the day)

12.30pm Orchids

12.30pm Bonsai talk in the Banksia Room

1.15pm Rainforest walk and talk

1.15pm Bush Foods walk and talk

1.30pm Herbarium tour (book at Information Tent on the day)