What's new
Events calendar
>> Click here to view the Spring 2009 Calendar or Summer 2009 Calendar
>> Click here to view our Volunteer Guides' Self-guided walk for November-December
Sydney Festival Stage
The Sydney Festival Stage will be installed and remain on site in the Phillip Precinct of the Domain for the period of the summer events, from Wednesday 28 October 2009 to Friday 26 February 2010.
For safety and security, the area immediately surrounding the stage, as well as front of house and sound towers, will be fenced from the public. Pedestrian access will be maintained on pathways through the Domain. However, when towers are installed pedestrians may be directed off pathways on occasion to maintain public safety.
New staff facilities
The Botanic Gardens Trust will be constructing new staff facilities at the Gardens Shop in the Palm Grove Centre, in the middle of the Royal Botanic Gardens. It will be a new extension attached to the eastern end and is designed to match the existing building. Work starts on site on Monday 14 September and will take eight weeks to complete. During this time there will minor noise and access issues that will impact the immediate area including the shop and restaurant. Your patience during this time is appreciated whilst the works are completed.
New motorcycle parking
New FREE motorcycle parking will be available from 1 July, in marked un-metered bays only, along Art Gallery Road, Hospital Road and Mrs Macquaries Road.
Note that payment is required for motorcycles parked in 24-hour metered parking bays. Payment can be made by phone to mPark. Call 9993 6333 and pay by credit card. For assistance call Botanic Gardens Trust Rangers on 0419 270 279.
What happened to the Dracaena draco?
This Dracaena draco fell over in May 2007. The very heavy autumn rainfall over the preceding few months may have increased the weight of the branches to a point where the tree could no longer support itself. The tree will not be lifted back to its former upright position, as the trunk is damaged near the base, and further movement may cause it to snap off. The horticultural staff at the Royal Botanic Gardens have been closely monitoring the health of the Dracaena since it fell, and now believe that it will keep growing in this new position. The tree has been fenced off to help protect the branches from damage and to reduce soil compaction around the root zone.
Dracaena draco is native to the Canary Islands, and can live for up to 600 years in the wild. This tree is over 100 years old. The common name of ‘Dragon’s Blood Tree’ comes from the bright red resin the tree produces. One of the many uses for this ‘dragon’s blood resin’ was the production of a varnish used by violin makers.
Help this tree recover- please do not climb over the fence.
Winner of the Breen Sculpture Competition: Laughing Children’s Garden - Gwuulya Garri Dilya
The winner of the $20,000 prize for the design of a sculpture that will be a focal point of the developing children’s garden, Gwuulya Garri Dilya, at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden is 'Pod Pod' by Queensland artists Glen Manning and Kathy Daly. 'The winning design was selected by the judges for its compatibility with the picturesque Blue Mountains site, its interactive appeal for children and its capacity to inspire their love of plants,' said Rob Smith, Director of Mount Tomah Botanic Garden.
>> Click here for more information on the Breen Sculpture Competition 2008-2009.
The Jungle
The Botanic Gardens Trust has now aquired an extra 33 hectares of rainforest adjoining Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, known as the 'Jungle'. A wheelchair-accessible walk through the rainforest, called the Lady (Nancy) Fairfax Walk, was opened on 23 March. The cost of entry to the Jungle is included the entry fee to Mount Tomah Botanic Garden.
Darwin exhibitions and public programs 2009
2009 will commemorate two significant anniversaries of Charles Darwin’s life and work - the bicentenary of his birth and 150 years since the publication of On the Origin of Species - his controversial theory outlining the evolution of life-forms through the process of natural selection.
>> Click here for more information
Evolution
The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust supports the teaching of evolution as the scientifically testable and strongly corroborated theory for the origin and development of all species on earth. The Trust’s position on creationism and intelligent design is that these ideologies should not be taught as part of the science curriculum.
The Botanic Gardens Trust endorses these related sites:
>> Intelligent design is not science - Australian Academy of Sciences
>> Statement on creationism/intelligent design - Australian Academy of Sciences
Flying-foxes
>> Questions and Answers about the Grey-headed Flying-foxes at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
>> Find out more about flying-foxes
Inflatable man: Don’t be alarmed if you see an ‘inflatable man’ in the Palm Grove! He has been introduced as an disturbance measure to move flying foxes away from some of our most vulnerable and significant trees. There are estimated to be up to 20,000 flying foxes roosting in the Gardens, and while the Botanic Gardens Trust has made every effort to allow the flying foxes to coexist within the Gardens, the huge number is proving to be unsustainable. The Trust has approval from all relevant authorities to use this interim, non-harmful method of disturbance and is seeking approval to relocate the flying foxes permanently from the Gardens next year.
Artist in Residence
The Botanic Gardens Trust Artist in Residence Program provides practising artists the opportunity to work at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney from February to December in the year it is offered. Click here for more information.
Click here to find out about Emma Robertson, the Artist in Residence for 2008
Margaret Flockton Award
>> Click here for information on the Margaret Flockton Award 2009
>> Click here for winners of last year's Margaret Flockton Award.
Our Botanic Bicentenary
The Botanic Gardens Trust is heir to almost 200 years of knowledge and expertise in plant sciences, dating from the founding of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney in 1816. For two centuries it has led the discovery of Australia’s amazing plantlife, and inspired generations to care for their natural world.
>> Click here to view Our Botanic Bicentenary web pages
>> Click here to download brochure (pdf file)
Visitor surveys for Royal Botanic Gardens
Red Box Gallery
The Red Box Gallery at the National Herbarium of NSW at the Royal Botanic Gardens, is open weekdays 10 am - 4 pm when there is an exhibition on.
Pesticide Notification Plan
>> View Pesticide Notification Plan
Automatic weather station at Mount Annan Botanic Garden
>> Click here for more information on the Automatic weather station
Passion for Plants
Passion for Plants - read about Tim Entwisle's column on 702 ABC Sydney. This new column captures the latest research, new species and other fascinating facts about plants and gardening.
Personal Trainer Policy
Water restrictions
The Botanic Gardens Trust is a leader in sustainable horticulture practices and strives for responsible water use. Click here to view information on water restrictions in the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Domain. |
