Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, Australia

 

Autumn in Your Gardens



Autumn in Your Gardens
Diary of Events


TALKS AND WALKS

Note: Program may be subject to change.

 Breakfast with the Birds

 High-Tea Finalist2012

Free Guided Walks throughout autumn

Explore the heritage and plant diversity of the Royal Botanic Garden with a knowledgeable Volunteer Guide.

  • For individuals or small family groups
  • 10.30 am daily - 1.5 hours and 1 pm Monday to Friday (March-November only) - 1 hour. No walks on Good Friday.
  • Walks depart from the Information Counter at the Palm Grove Centre
  • Organised groups: bookings essential, fees apply, ph. 9231 8134 

Aboriginal heritage tours

Join one of our Aboriginal Education Officers for a journey of discovery. Uncover the Royal Botanic Garden's rich Aboriginal heritage, by exploring plant uses, culture, artefacts, and taste some bush foods. Learn the richly diverse history and culture of the Aboriginal people of the Sydney region with an Aboriginal guide in the heart of the city. An important ceremonial site for many of the Sydney Aboriginal clans and home to the Cadigal clan. Wogganmagule (Farm Cove) and its surrounds offered an impressive and carefree existence. With a diverse array of bush foods, ample fresh water and a plentiful supply of seafood from the harbour, it was paradise for the local Aboriginal people for thousands of years.

When: 10 am Fridays - 1.5 hours (bookings essential), no tour on Good Friday.
Where: Tours depart from the Information Booth outside the Garden Shop at the Palm Grove Centre
Cost: see Guided Tour fees for 2013
Bookings and enquiries: ph. 9231 8134

Free Guided Walks

at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah

A guided tour is available most days departing from the Visitor Centre at 11.30 am, led by a trained volunteer guide - contact us on 4567 2154 to ensure there will be a tour on the day of your visit.

Morocco Tour Talk

Find our more about Foundation and Friends’ latest trip to the exotic destination of Morocco. Hear from Carol Prior of  travel company ‘Morocco by Prior Appointment” and escort Sandy Pratten as they detail some of the tour’s highlights.

When: Monday 4 March 2013, 10.30-12 noon
Where: Joseph Maiden Theatre
Cost: $10 Members & Non-members
Enquiries: 9231 8182
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

Garden Safari - an adventure in art and nature

Discover wild and wonderful art plants on a family adventure through the Garden. Fun activities at each safari stop explore the amazing colours, shapes and textures of plant life. For children 6-12 years old.

When: Sunday 10 March - 31 May. Start time 9.30 am (collect map & safari kit from the Shop). Finish time 5.00 pm
Where: Throughout the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Cost: Members $4.50, Non-members $5. Safari kit included
Enquiries: 9231 8331

Specialist Horticultural Talks and Storytelling

Specialist horticultural talks

Step into the Palm House and enjoy talks and demonstrations on South American plant families including bromeliads, begonias and orchids.

Learn how best to propagate begonias from Gordon Chivers, member of the NSW Begonia Society.

Dylan Morrissey, member of the Manly Warringah Orchid Society will inspire you with the remarkable world of orchids and the best way to take care of them.

Paul Nicholson, will share his ‘mild obsession’ for the diversity, colour and form of the bromeliad group that never ceases to amaze from thread like epiphytes to dramatic and imposing architectural show stoppers like the alcantareas.

Storytelling

Be inspired by renowned storytellers Jo Henwood and Aunty Ali Golding. Hear fascinating Indigenous stories from Aunty Ali Golding and take a journey of myths, fairy tales, legends and ghost stories from plants growing all over the world with Jo Henwood.

When: 10 March 2013

10.30 am: Orchids with Dylan Morrissey, 12.30 pm: Begonias with Gordon Chivers and 2.30 pm: Bromeliads with Paul Nicholson

11.30 am: Aunty Ali Golding and 1.30 pm: Jo Henwood

Where: The Palm House
Cost: Free
Enquiries: 9231 8111

Garden Stories - Intriguing, Bizarre and Sensational!

On this hour long guided walk you will hear some of the more quirky stories that make up nearly 200 years of history of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Stories including famous discoveries, celebrities and crimes will be uncovered.

When: 10 March 2013, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm. 1 hour duration
Where: Leave from event lawn, Royal Botanic Garden
Cost: Members Free
Bookings: Registration required on the day at the Information stall in the Autumn Vibes Event Village.

Ikebana for Gardens

Teachers from the modern School of Sogetsu will lead a tour through their exhibition of stunning ikebana sculptures. They will talk about the philosophy of the ancient Japanese art form of ikebana, and how they created the beautiful works on display.

When: Sunday 10 March, Start 11.30 am and 2.30 pm
Where: Meeting point - Garden Shop
Cost: Free
Enquiries: 9231 8331

Huanduj: Brugmansia

Join Dr Alistair Hay, retired senior research scientist and director at Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, as he discusses his book Huanduj: Brugmansia, which covers all aspects of the plant. This is an excellent resource for anyone with an interest in this fascinating genus.

When: Tues 26 March, 10.30 am-12 noon, morning tea provided at 10.30 am.
Where: Joseph Maiden Theatre, The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Cost: Members $15 Non-members $22
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

 

Balinese Gardens Tour Talk

Hear about Foundation and Friends trip to Bali with Renaissance Tours and escorted by Sandy Pratten. The trip will discover the unique Balinese garden aesthetic and visit some stunning private gardens created by ex patriates.

When: Wednesday 27 March 2013, 10.30 to 12 noon
Where: Joseph Maiden Theatre
Cost: $10 Members & Non-members
Enquiries: 9231 8182
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

Australian Landscapes Before the Gum Trees - Guided Walk

Dr Glenn Johnson will recreate what the Australian landscape might have looked like before the domination of the vegetation with the more familiar gumtrees. He will explore the geological evolution of the Australian continent in relation to its neighbours and the implication this had for development of Australian flora. The talk will cover Gondwanan relicts such as ferns, conifers and early angiosperms while the walk accompanied by expert guides will visit relevant living examples in the Royal Botanic Garden.

When: Wednesday 3 April 2013, 10 am-12.30 pm
Where: Starting at the Joseph Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Cost: $20 members, $25 non-members,  includes morning tea at 10 am
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

Garden After Dark - Guided Tour 

Discover what happens in the Garden after dark! Join us for a 1.5 hr guided tour with staff members and volunteer guides who will take you through the Garden observing curious movements of fauna, plants with unusual nocturnal habits and ghost stories!

When: Thursday 11 April, 5.30 pm arrival for 6 pm start
Where: Meet Joseph Maiden Theatre courtyard, entry via Mrs Macquaries Rd
Cost: Members $40.50, non-members $45, children (8-16 years) $30. Includes refreshments on arrival.
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

Margaret Flockton: the Hidden History - Family and Fine Art Talk

Join Louise Wilson, author of family histories and biographies, when she reveals the long hidden story of Margaret Flockton’s life. In a highly illustrated talk, Louise will tell of how Margaret came to be the first botanical illustrator at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney and all she achieved before and during her 27 year employment starting in 1901. After the talk enjoy a guided walk through the Garden learning about plants that were illustrated by Margaret herself, many species having never been illustrated before.

When: 15 Apr 2013, 10.30 - 12.30
Where: Caley Seminar Room, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Cost: Members $12.00, Non-members $17.00
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182.

Breakfast with the Birds

Meet some of the Garden’s feathered friends on an early morning guided walking tour followed by a scrumptious breakfast BBQ in the Garden.

When: Saturday 4 May
Where: Meet at Visitor Centre, Australian Botanic Garden
Cost: Members $22.50, Non-members $25, Child (9-16) $20. Includes breakfast
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

Grevilleas for Sydney Gardens

Grevilleas can claim to be the Australian plant most suited to cultivation. They are variable in height, flower colour, flowering time and length, most are strongly bird-attractive and some are delightfully perfumed. A range of beautiful species occur naturally around Australia. Then there are the hybrid grevilleas, bringing the potential total to more than 1000. What then are the best easiest and most reliable ones to grow in Sydney and how do I grow them and maintain them? Hear from grevillea authority Peter Olde on tips to make your garden an Australian show garden!

When: Wed 15 May, 10.30 am -12 noon
Where: Joseph Maiden Theatre
Cost: Members $15, Non-members $22, includes morning tea
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

Autumn Highlights Tour and High Tea

Join an experienced guide and discover wonderful autumnal highlights of Australia’s largest botanic garden. After this walking tour, enjoy a stunning High Tea with all the trimmings! Gift vouchers are available.

When: Sunday 19 May and Sunday 26 May 2013, 10.30 am -12.30 pm
Where: Meet at Visitor Centre
Cost: Members $40.50, Non-members $45, Child (8-16) $35, includes HIgh Tea
Bookings essential: Book online for 19 May or Book online for 26 May or phone 9231 8182

Nature's Grand Designs: Plant Adaptations

When: Thursday 23 May, 10 am-12.30 pm
Where: Starting at the Joseph Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Cost: $20 Members, $25 Non-members
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182

Nature's Grand Designs focuses on the botanical structures and functions of the cells, tissues and organs of some flowering plants. Experienced volunteer guides will present material on how these structures and functions have developed to lead to evolutionary success. Then the guides will make botany come alive as you stroll with them through the Garden looking at plants that illustrate the impressive adaptations that have enabled plants to change their 'design' in order to guarantee survival.

When: Thursday 23 May, 10 am-12.30 pm
Where: Starting at the Joseph Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Cost: $20 members, $25 non-members. Includes morning tea at 10 am
Bookings essential: Book online or phone 9231 8182



 

KEY TO LOCATIONS

Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah