In Australia we are lucky to have so many botanic gardens around the country to enjoy. Whether you visit for a picnic, a special event, cultural activity or for educational purposes, the attractive landscapes of botanic gardens have much to offer
Yet they are more than just a green space. Botanic gardens are important as places of research into botany, ecology and horticulture. They also play an important role in national and international conservation. Their catalogue of living and preserved plants and seeds are an immense biological resource of information on plant biodiversity.
Celebrating the vital work botanic gardens do for plant conservation, Botanic Gardens Open Day will be held across Australia and New Zealand on Sunday 29th May 2016. The slogan for this inaugural event is "Conserving Plants - Our Lives Depend On It".
Below is a small selection of botanic gardens around Australia that are holding celebrations for Botanic Garden Open Day.
New South Wales
Go on a tour of the Cumberland Plain Woodland at Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
At the
Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan you can get your hands dirty by building stick shelters and creating artworks from natural materials. Alternatively you can take a tour of the endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland or of the Australian Plantbank. After dark there is a Nocturnal Tour scheduled with expert guide Tom. Entry to the garden is free however there are charges for some Open Day activities. For more information
click here.
Enjoy a picnic or BBQ at the Hunter Region Botanic Garden (Image Credit: Hunter Region Botanic Garden)
At the
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens there is a full day of activities planned from 10am - 4pm. In the morning you can help build a labyrinth at the top of the Hoop Pine forest or bring your favourite teddy for a Teddy Bears Picnic. At 11am you can see the Official Opening of the Hoop Pine Forest Walk by Mayor Jenny Dowell and at 11.30am join a Guided Walk. Visitors are invited to bring a picnic or enjoy a BBQ in the gardens until 4pm.
Click here for more information.
Australian Capital Territory
The
Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra are hosting Art in the Gardens where you can engage your artistic talents and explore the connection between art and nature. Various workshops covering different techniques will be held throughout the day including charcoal, water colour, pencil, clay, collage and ikebana. Workshops are free and bookings will be taken on the day.
Explore the Australian National Botanic Gardens on a Flora Explorer Tour (Image Credit: Australian National Botanic Gardens)
Alternatively you can join a free Flora Explorer Tour of the gardens by electric bus. Tours will run at 10.30am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 3pm. The tour is free, however bookings are required at the Botanical Bookshop. For more information about workshops and tours
click here.
Victoria
'Tree Stories' Discovery Walk at Geelong Botanic Gardens (Image Credit: Geelong Botanic Gardens)
invite you to connect with nature at their Gardens Family Day. From 11am - 3pm you can challenge your family on the Discovery Trail or create your own nature art. At 2pm you can join the 'Tree Stories' Discovery Walk with a volunteer guide. For more information
click here.
South Australia
Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden in Port Augusta (Image Credit: Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden)
The
Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden in Port Augusta is open from 9.30am - 4pm. For Open Day there will be free tours, kids activities and guest speakers on garden design. For more information
click here.
Queensland
(Image Credit: Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens)
At the
Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens you can help grow the gardens by joining in a community planting at 10am. From 11am there will be free guided walks, plant propagation workshops, floral displays and kids craft. From 12 noon - 4pm you can enjoy a picnic in the grounds and relax with some live music, kids activities, sausage sizzle, coffee and cake. To find out more
click here.
Botanic Garden Open Day is presented by
BGANZ - Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Inc. With over 70 gardens and arboretums registered for this event chances are there is something happening in a garden near you. Contact your local botanic garden to find out what they have planned or you can
click here for a list of participating gardens. Connect with nature and enjoy all of the great activities on offer at the Botanic Garden Open Day.
