Words That Grow

Explore the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney through fresh eyes and transform your observations of the natural world into words.

Words That Grow is a free guided tour and creative writing experience led by award-winning First Nations writer Cheryl Leavy, one of the Garden's inaugural Writers in Residence. Blending discovery, storytelling and creativity, this immersive journey through the Garden will inspire you to observe more deeply and draw on the natural world as a source of writing inspiration.

After learning about the Garden’s remarkable landscapes, history, botany and wildlife with one of the Garden's passionate Volunteer Guides, you'll gather by the harbour for a creative writing session with Cheryl. Along the way, Cheryl will also share poetry inspired by the environment and offer simple prompts to help you shape your own words in response to Country, nature and place.

At the end of the experience, you'll write a poem, message or reflection on eco paper. Later, these contributions will be planted by the Garden's horticulturists to help create a living Words That Grow garden – a collective artwork of language, care and connection.

No writing experience is needed. This welcoming event is suitable for adults and young people aged 12 and over, accompanied by an adult. Writing materials will be supplied, and there will be a lunch break in the middle of the event, with food and coffee available near by to purchase.

* Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle, hat and sun protection, plus wet weather gear if needed. Our walks and tours go ahead in most weather conditions but may be cancelled in torrential rain, gale force winds or electrical storms. If the event is cancelled, we will let registered participants know. Places are limited and registrations are essential.