Nature Therapy Walks at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

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Let go of the everyday hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in self-care, rejuvenation and tranquillity as you are guided to explore and connect your senses with nature. Nature Therapy Walk (or Forest Therapy) originated in Japan and is called Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to "forest bathing" or "absorbing the forest atmosphere". It encourages people to spend time in nature (without bathing) and is filled with many health benefits.



The Royal Botanic Gardens hosts Nature Therapy Walks/ Forest Therapy and includes guides that take you through the gardens with optional activities that help you connect and immerse yourself with the surrounding nature. The two-hour walk was conducted by the fantastic certified and accredited guides Mary and Janet, who led us on our connecting, tranquil, and well-being journey where we were immersed in the surrounding nature of the gardens.

Our gentle and calming guides helped us connect with our senses through a wide range of interactive sensory activities filled with mindfulness, relaxation, and awareness. Each activity was unique and helped open the senses to the world of nature connection and inner peace.

Having a guide(s) was great, as it felt like you were given "permission" to "let go" and fully immerse/connect yourself with the natural surroundings in a safe and relaxing environment.
The activities throughout the Nature Therapy Walk were fantastic and helped to release everyday stress and connect with the surrounding lush nature and your inner self.



On the walk, you are encouraged to take "mental photos", but of course, you are welcome to take photos, however, the idea is to "let go" of technology/electronics and zone with nature instead of devices, such as phones, cameras etc.

Nature Therapy is a research-based framework. It is a simple practice that helps to relax the mind, body and spirit by taking a slow, mindful walk amongst nature as your senses engage with the surroundings. This practice recognises that nature is great for us and contributes to good health and well-being by restoring the nervous system.

Emerging scientific evidence showcases the health benefits of Nature Therapy Walks. Some of these benefits include increasing immunity, reducing blood pressure and cardiovascular and respiratory disease rates, reducing stress, improving mood, helping to improve rates of recovery from surgery or illness, improving sleep, and many more benefits.



Our Nature Therapy Walk covered 1km in two hours and was relaxing, connecting, and engaging. Each activity invited us to open up all of our senses (as we discovered on this walk, there was much more than the five we all know). The walk concluded with a tea ceremony, inspired by the Japanese way of tea.

I cannot wait to experience the other walks coming up! The Nature Therapy Walk is a great way to escape everyday stresses, reconnect with yourself in a safe, guided outdoor space and awaken your senses.

The Nature Therapy Walks are held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mt Annan Botanic Gardens, and the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens. The Meeting Point for the Nature Therapy Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens was the Visitor Centre. Meet at the Visitor Centre at least 10 minutes before the Walk.



Below is a list of the upcoming Nature Therapy Walks:

Royal Botanic Gardens:

3-hour Nature Therapy Session on Sunday, 22nd January 2023 or Sunday, 19th February 2023: 10am-1pm Click here for website.

2-hour Nature Therapy Session on Sunday, 5th February 2023: 10am-12pm Click here for website.

Mount Annan Botanic Gardens:

2-hour Nature Therapy Session on Sunday, 12th February 2023: 10am-12pm Click here for website.

Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens:

2-hour Nature Therapy Session on Saturday, 21st January 2023: 11am-1pm Click here for website.

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