Behind the Scenes Nursery Tour
11am & 1pm
Delve into the rarely seen heart of the Botanic Garden on a guided tour of our Nursery. Find out how and why we propagate the plants used for the Garden’s collections, Council's Community Greening program, for local Bushcare and for our monthly plant sales. On this behind the scenes tour you’ll see our collections of threatened plants and find out what we are doing to help save these wonderful endangered species through projects and partnerships. This is a fascinating tour not to be missed.
Please wear enclosed shoes for this fascinating walk around the Nursery!
No bookings required. Limited to the first 20 people to arrive at the info stall.
Meet us at the info stall in front of Towri Centre (map ref K10).
Rose Garden Results Talk
12pm & 2pm
Growing roses in Wollongong can often be challenging because of our wet and humid summers. Learn how the horticulture team at our Garden has found ways to get the best results from our rose garden through:
- the selection of appropriate rose varieties
- better irrigation practices
- pest and disease management
- using the right products to fertilise and improve soil health
Come along and be inspired to give rose-growing a go!
No bookings are required. Limited to the first 20 people to arrive.
Meet us at the Rose Garden (map ref N4).
Wild Native Bees Walk
11am, 12pm & 2pm
From cheeky Neon Cuckoo Bees to buzzing Blue Banded Bees and crafty Leafcutter Bees, Wollongong Botanic Garden is home to a diversity of wild Australian native bees. Join native bee enthusiast Alison Mellor and Lucy Loft from the Illawarra Ecosystems and Threatened Species team for a fascinating introduction into the lives of these important local pollinators and the plants they love.
This short-guided walk is designed for adults and young people 12 years+.
Participants will need to be able to walk on walk on uneven surfaces and be on their feet in the sun for 45 minutes. Closed shoes must be worn.
No bookings required. Limited to the first 15 people to arrive at the info stall.
Meet us at the info stall in front of Towri Centre (map ref K10).
Compost Creatures Kids Activity
11am to 3pm
Come along to explore the world of the minibeast and the compost they make to help plants grow.
Between 11am and 3pm, we’ll show you how to create your own compost critter in a bottle. At home, kids will see how their creations will change into tasty, nutrient-rich compost they can use to feed plants in their own garden.
As they building these compost creations that will learn also about some of the hard-working critters who make the best compost for our gardens.
There will also be some fun compost relays for the kids to enjoy!
This is a free, drop-in activity.
You'll find this free activity near the Education Centre (map ref Q8).
Anti AI Aesthetic Poetry and Music Performances
11am & 1pm
Join Elizabeth Walton for an immersive event where poetry, music, and nature converge. Experience a poetry reading in the gardens, where works written during her Wollongong Botanic Garden residency come to life, interspersed by a live piano performance and deep listening experience featuring Richard Lawson’s string quartet suite, recorded by the Acacia String Quartet at Four Winds, a suite which responds to Elizabeth’s poetry.
You'll find Elizabeth and Richard's performance on the Turpentine Lawn (map ref O9).
Native Plant Sale
11am to 3pm
Make your garden greener by picking up some gems from our Native Plant Sale on Botanic Gardens Day.
On the Towri Centre deck, you'll find a collection of ground covers, grasses, trees and shrubs that are native to the Wollongong area as well as other Australian natives. Our expert horticulturalists will also be around to help with advice about plant selection for your garden.
Did you know we also open our Garden Nursery on the third Friday of each month (except April - Good Friday, and December), plus a few Saturdays throughout the year? At these sales we offer a larger range of native plants plus a few exotic plants grown by our amazing volunteers. For more details visit our Greenplan Plant Sale webpage.
You'll find the plant sale on the Towri Centre Deck (map ref K10).
Friends In the Garden (FIG) Stall
11am to 3pm
Do you love gardens and plants? Would you like to connect up with some like-minded plant enthusiasts?
Our volunteer programs are diverse and contribute to some fundamental functions at the Garden. Be sure to drop in the FIG Stall to chat to some of our amazing volunteers about the programs available.
The FIG Stall will also be selling their botanic books, art and photography items. Projects from items sold support Botanic Garden projects.
You'll find the FIG Stall on the Towri Centre Deck (map ref K10).
Buzzing about Native Bees Stall
11am to 3pm
Drop in to chat all things native bees with members of the Australian Native Bee Association. See native stingless bees up close. Kids can even make a Blue Banded Bee wristband to take home.
You'll find the native bee stall in front of the Towri Centre (map ref K10).
Garden Discovery Buggy Tours
11am to 3pm
Join a guided buggy or walking tour with our knowledgeable guides to discover the beauty, plant diversity and history of Wollongong Botanic Garden!
No bookings are required for these interesting tours led by our wonderful volunteer guides. Meet us near the Duck Pond (map ref O3).
OMG Decadent Donuts
11am to 3pm
OMG Decadent Donuts cook hot, fresh gluten free and vegan donuts that are free from dairy, nuts, eggs, yeast, wheat and sulphites. They are then dusted in a range of 12 bespoke sugars made from dehydrated fruits and spices.
Try 1, 2, or all 12 donut favor options on Sunday 25 May between 11am and 3pm on the Turpentine Lawn - near the Education Centre (map ref P9).
Pani Cafe
9am to 2pm
In addition to coffees, teas and hot chocolates, you’ll can pick up some delicious muffins, croissants, quiche, bureks and toasties between 9am and 2pm every day near the playground (map ref P2).
More details about the kids' activities coming soon.