Celebrate Botanic Gardens Week – 18 to 24 May
There’s lots to see and do at the Gardens this May.
Botanic Gardens Week runs from the 18th to the 24th May. This year’s theme is Where Your Health Grows highlighting how botanic gardens strengthen mental, physical, and social wellbeing, connect communities, and provide spaces to rest, move, and reconnect with nature.
The Friends invite everyone to enjoy one or more activities offered by our volunteers and members of the Friends to celebrate Botanic Gardens Week 2026. Please book ahead if possible so we can provide enough mentors and guides.
Growing Friends – Plant Propagation sessions
Growing Friends will be holding hands-on propagation sessions, and a guided walk through our “Igloo” to view our growing plants. Come along and learn how to propagate and pot on your own plants at home. Book early as numbers are limited.
Date: Tuesday 19 May 2026
Time: 9.30am – 11.30am (two one hour sessions: 9.30 – 10.30 or 10.30 to 11.30)
Location: Potting space, outside the Banksia Building (follow the signs)
We will supply all materials (free event).
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DLYMG (enquiries to: events@friendsanbg.org.au)
Botanic Art Group – Have a Go at Botanical Art
The Botanic Art Group is delighted to invite people to come and HAVE A GO AT BOTANICAL ART.
We will be painting a leaf, an easy subject with which everyone is familiar. A number of our members have volunteered to act as mentors.
Materials such as watercolours and coloured pencils will be available to try, but if you have watercolours, coloured pencils or a small brush please bring them along.
Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
Time: 10am to 12 noon
Location: Celia Rosser Room, in the Banksia Building, ANBG
Bookings: It would be appreciated if you are coming along if you could RSVP to kateramsey23@gmail.com
Thursday Talk – Awe and Wonder in CSIRO’s Collections
Enjoy a lunchtime talk in the Gardens Theatrette. This week our speaker is Andrea Wild, from CSIRO, who will share stories from the new science book Wild Collections. Learn about sharks living in sponges, orchids flowering underground, Spotted Handfish guarding their eggs, quirky tales of worm bums, Darkling beetles undertaking a decathlon, and much more.
Date: Thursday 21 May 2026
Time: 12.30 – 1.30pm
Location: Gardens Theatrette (in Admin Building opposite the Visitor Centre)
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DKZFY
Bushland Nature Walk – Catch a View!
A special guided walk to explore the Gardens’ Bushland Precinct, across the Black Mountain road from the main part of the Gardens. The Bushland Nature Walk meanders through open forest and features expansive views to Canberra City and Parliament House. Some of the plants are labelled and you will find interpretive signs about the biodiversity, fire ecology and soil of the area. The walk culminates at a viewing platform offering spectacular views across Lake Burley Griffin. Return is via the same path.
The walk is easy to medium on uneven ground, with a few stairs and short steep sections. There are some places to rest along the way. Distance: 3.2 km
Wear a shady hat, sunscreen, and sturdy walking shoes and bring your bottle of water.
Date: Saturday 23 May
Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Location: Meet at the Gardens Visitor Centre at 9.25am
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DLKGL Enquiries: email events@friendsanbg.org.au or contact Linda on 0437 298 711.
Cost: $10 (towards projects in the Gardens)
Photographic Group – Camera and Café walk
The Photographic Group invites you to join us on a CAMERA AND CAFÉ WALK in the Gardens. Bring along your camera (the camera in your phone is fine!) for a guided walk led by experienced photographers, followed by morning tea and a chat at Pollen Café.
Date: Sunday 24 May 2026
Time: Meet at 8.40am
Location: Meet at the bus stop shelter at the top of the car park.
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DLYVV (enquiries to: events@friendsanbg.org.au)
Take a self-guided walk in the Gardens:
Take your own walk at any time that suits you, with a Flowers, Fruit & Foliage brochure available at and near the Visitor Centre. Brochure available at and near Visitor Centre.
OR Join a free Guided Walk with an experienced volunteer Gardens Guide, daily at 11am and 2pm. No booking necessary.
OR Ride on the Flora Explorer Bus. Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Bookings on the ANBG website, or Flora Explorer Bus Tours Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite