Cumberland Plain Woodland Walk

Join an expert guided bushwalk of a critically endangered ecological community. Discover the stunning biodiversity and ecology of south-western Sydney. 

What is the Cumberland Plain Woodland? 

The Australian Botanic Garden protects about 35 hectares of Cumberland Plain Woodland, an open bushland unique to Western Sydney. With less than 9% of the original Cumberland Plain Woodland remaining, this ecological community is listed as a Critically Endangered Ecological Community.  

Our Cumberland Plain Woodland at Australian Botanic Garden provides vital habitat and is home to about 130 native plant species and animals including echidnas, lace monitors, swamp wallabies, microbats and amphibians. The Botanic Gardens of Sydney helps conserve this special habitat, through maintenance and care of its woodland and through a seed banking initiative at the Australian Plant Bank. 

During this 90 minute tour of our Cumberland Plain Woodland, a guide will take you to some of the most serene parts of our woodland. Learn how to identify the three dominant canopy trees (Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus moluccana and Eucalyptus crebra) and look for the startling diversity in the grasses and flowers in the understory.  Keep an eye out for wallaroos and swamp wallabies feeding amongst the scrub and grasslands and listen for the distinctive call of the bell miner birds throughout the canopy. 

This 90 minute walk is on an unpaved trail. No bushwalking experience required. 

This program is part of Australian Botanic Garden spring program inspired by the season, the living collection of Australian Plants and connecting to nature.