What's on @ Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
 | Spring 2008 ~ Wildflower FestivalWildflower Festival, RBG Cranbourne and Australian Garden - Discover the magic of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne as it shows off the beautiful wildflowers blooming throughout the spring. A variety of activities are offered for all ages to enjoy the wildflower season. School Holiday Activities will be on offer from Saturday 20th September to Sunday 5th October. |
 | Summer 2008/09 ~ An Evolutionary ExperienceFor a detailed list of activities, tours and workshops throughout the summer, click here. |
IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE:
The following entry fees apply for the Australian Garden: $9.50 adults, $7.10 concession, children under 16 free. Entry to the bushland at RBG Cranbourne is free. Tour/activity costs apply, as indicated, and are additional to the entry fee for the Australian Garden. Fees also apply, as indicated, to activities advertised for the bushland. | Open
9am – 5pm, every day of the year.
Closed
Christmas Day. Cranbourne bushland is closed on days of Total Fire Ban*. *The bushland at Cranbourne is closed on days of total fire ban and on days of extreme fire danger, however the Australian Garden remains open on these days. Entry to Cranbourne bushland is free. Entry to the Australian Garden is $9.50 for adults, $7.10 concession and children under 16 are free. Booked programs require a minimum number of participants to run. *Please note all charges are inclusive of GST. EFTPOS available. |
Woodland Picnic Area Launch
|  | When | Sunday 23rd November 2008
11.00am - 3.00pm | | Where: | Woodland Picnic Area | | Cost: | Free
Entry prices apply to the Australian Garden. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245
| The launch of the new Woodland Picnic Area, bicycle track, and the Garden Grubs Kids' Club are all set to take place on Sunday 23rd November 2008. Join us for a fantastic family day full of fun and interactive activities, including a sausage sizzle, didgeridoo workshops, guided walks and hands-on activities.
The Woodland Picnic Area, bicycle track and Garden Grubs Kids' Club is now open for use. |
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The Australian Garden Journey ~ Guided tour
|  | When: | Everyday
1pm- 2pm | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | $5.00 adults, $4.00 children/concession
Tour/activity costs are additional to the Australian Garden entry fee. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245
Group bookings available at 11am. | Find out how Australia’s newest and most exciting botanic garden was created. Our knowledgeable guides will highlight the unique features of this garden, provide insights into the background of this project and future development plans. |
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Introduction to the Australian Garden ~ Podcast
|  | When: | Everyday | | Where: | Download from the RBG website. www.rbgcranbourne.com.au
| | Cost: | Free. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245 | Listen to this 30 minute audio tour of the Australian Garden from your own home PC or download it into an mp3 player or ipod and listen in as you walk around the Australian Garden. Hear first hand from the designers and staff who created this amazing new garden.
MP3 players are available for loan from the Visitor Center. |
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Behind the Scenery ~ Podcast
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| When: | Everyday | | Where: | Download from the RBG website. http://www.rbgcranbourne.com.au/
| | Cost: | Free. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245 | A new podcast created by artist Roger Alsop will be available to download from our website (MP3 format) this spring. Roger's work will provide listeners with an opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes at the Royal Botanic Gardens with a series of interviews with staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.
MP3 players are available for loan from the Visitor Center. return to top |
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Volunteer Master Gardeners ~ Gardening Advice
|  | When | Every day of the week in the Australian Garden.
11am-3pm | | Where: | Australian Garden ~ At the information station | | Cost: | FREE with adult entry to Australian Garden $9.50, Concession entry $7.10. Children under 16 years of age free. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245
Bookings not required
| Do you wonder what plant to grow where? Or will that plant grow in dry shade? Our knowledgeable and passionate Volunteer Master Gardeners are on hand to offer gardening advice about Australian native plants. |
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(S)Elf-guided wildflower walk ~ School Holiday Activities
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| When | Every day during September, October and November 2008. | | Where: | RBG Cranbourne Bushland | | Cost: | FREE | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245 | Pick up a guide to find where the fairies and elves are hiding throughout the RBG Cranbourne bushland. return to top |
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Introducing: The Garden Grubs Kids' Club ~ Special Event
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| When | Sunday 2nd and 23rd November 2008.
11.00am - 12.00pm: 1 hr program
1.00 - 2.00pm: Drop in/out activity | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | 1 hr program:
$4.50 child; $3.50 Garden Grubs Club member
Drop in/out: $3.00 child; $2.50 Grubby child
Does not include adult entry to the Australian Garden. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245 Bookings required for the 1 hr program. | Whether you're a Garden Grub or looking for a fun day, join us for a day of hands-on activities in the Australian Garden. Arrive at 11am for an hour-long program - ‘Ants, plants and my garden' - where kids will explore the exciting world of ants and their importance to native plants. Anytime between 1 - 2pm head to our activity station where kids can pot a native plant and take it home to their gardens: a great day of activities and a fantastic chance to join the Garden Grubs Kids' Club! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Activity takes around 15 minutes. return to top |
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Wildflower walk ~ Self-guided walk
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| When: | Every day during September, October and November 2008. | | Where: | RBG Cranbourne bushland. | | Cost: | FREE | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245. | Spring is a spectacular time to visit the RBG Cranbourne bushland as the wildflowers come into bloom. Signs will direct you through a myriad of easy walks and give you more information about the spectacular flowers you see. Bring a picnic and relax at the Woodland Picnic area surrounded by a sea of colour. |
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Backyard Biodiversity: Birds and Butterflies ~ Guided tour
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| When: | Every Sunday from 13th September to 30th November 2008.
12 - 12.30pm | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | FREE | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245. | Join our talented Volunteer Master Gardeners on a stroll through the Australian Garden to learn all about plants that will attract birds and butterflies - must-do for those wanting to attract wildlife to their gardens. return to top |
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Sustainable Gardening for Intermediates ~ Workshop
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| When: | Sunday 16th November 2008
1.30 - 4.30 pm | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | $34.50 adult. Tour/activity costs are additional to the Australian Garden entry fee. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245
Bookings essential. | A fantastic opportunity to meet members of RBG Cranbourne's talented horticultural team, including John Arnott, Manager, Horticulture, and learn more about sustainable gardening. The horticulturalists will share their expertise and provide participants with innovative ways to create beautiful sustainable gardens. |
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 | Summer 2008/09 ~ An Evolutionary ExperienceEvolutionary Experience, RBG Cranbourne and Australian Garden - Throughout the summer we will be joining the world in celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, and the 150th anniversary of the publishing of Origin of Species. Join us for a range of exciting, evolutionary activities!
School Holiday activities will be on offer from Saturday 20th December 2008 to Monday 26th January 2009.
On Thursday 12th February we will celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the publishing of Origin of Species with a birthday cake in the Boonerwurrung Cafe. | New Experiences Come and explore the new Woodland Picnic Area and join the Garden Grubs Kids' Club. |
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The Garden Grubs Kids' Club
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| When: | Anytime! | | Where: | Australian Garden
RBG Cranbourne | | Cost: | $20.00 per child (5 - 10 years)
per annum | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245.
www,gardengrubs.com.au | The Garden Grubs Kids' Club is an exciting new club for kids between 5 and 10 years of age. Members receive a backpack full of garden goodies, regular newsletters, access to the Garden Grubs website and invitations to school holiday programs and special Garden Grubs Kids' Club days. |
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Wild Firefighter Grubby! ~ School Holiday Activity
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| When: | Tuesday 13th & 20th January
10.30 - 11.30am | | Where: | Australian Garden
RBG Cranbourne | | Cost: | $4.50 children
$3.50 Garden Grubs Kids' Club member (child)
Suitable for children aged 5 - 10 years
Children must be accompanied by an adult | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245.
Bookings required. | Whether you're a Garden Grub or looking for a fun day, join us for a day of hands-on activities in the Australian Garden. Arrive at 10.30am for an hour-long program; Wildfire Fighter. Get your Fire Fighter's GO BAG ready and learn how fire fighters protect themselves. See a fire truck in operation, hear fire stories and learn about fire safety in the Australian outdoors. |
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Rock Art! ~ School Holiday Activity
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| When: | Tuesday 13th & 20th January
Anytime between 1 - 2pm | | Where: | Australian Garden
RBG Cranbourne | | Cost: | $3.00 children
$2.50 Garden Grubs Kids' Club member (child)
Suitable for children aged 5 - 10 years
Children must be accompanied by an adult. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245. | Head to our activity station where kids can create a fire scene on a rock, and take their art home to remember their day. |
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Water Elves and Fairies ~ School Holiday Activity
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| When: | Tuesday 13th January
Wednesday 21st January
9.30am - 10.30am | | Where: | Australian Garden
RBG Cranbourne | | Cost: | $4.50 child
Suitable for children aged 2 - 5 years
Children must be accompanied by an adult. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245.
Bookings required. | Discover the magic of water fairies in the Australian Garden through storytelling, activities and play. We encourage fairies and elves to wear their own fairy costumes suitable for the weather on the day. |
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Summer Fairy and Elf craft ~ School Holiday Activity
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| When: | Tuesday 13th January
Wednesday 21st January
Anytime between 1pm - 2pm | | Where: | Australian Garden
RBG Cranbourne | | Cost: | $3.00 children
Suitable for children aged 2 - 5 years
Children must be accompanied by an adult | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245. | From 1-2pm, summer fairy craft activities will be available in the Australian Garden for fairies and elves to drop in and out of as they chose. A fantastic day for families.. |
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Twilight Highlights ~ School Holiday Activity
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| When: | Thursday 15th January
7.00 - 9.00pm | | Where: | RBG Cranbourne bushland | | Cost: | $15.50 adult
$11.00 conc/child
Children must be accompanied by an adult | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245.
Bookings required. | Explore the bushland of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne at dusk with our experienced guides. Look out for native wildlife as wombats, wallabies and possums emerge as they wake for the evening. Watch the sunset over Melbourne from Trig Point Lookout. Bring along a torch and dress appropriately for the weather on the day. |
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Bunjil's view: Discover the bush ~ Indigenous tour
|  | When: | Wednesday 3rd & 17th December
Wednesday 28th January
Wednesday 11th & 25th February
11am-12.30pm
Group tours are available on advertised Wednesdays at 1.30pm. | | Where: | RBG Cranbourne | | Cost: | $6.50 adults, $5.50 children/concession | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245. Bookings required. | Join Wurundjeri Elder Vicki Nicholson-Brown on a guided walk through the RBG Cranbourne. Discover the customs and rich heritage of the traditional custodians of this land. The tour will start with a traditional Tanderrum and gum leaf welcome ceremony followed by a discovery of traditional bush foods from across Australia. |
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Drought proofing your garden ~ Guided tour
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| When: | Thursday 15th January;
Thursday 12th February.
11.30am - 12.30pm | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | $7.50 adult
$6.50 conc/child | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245
Bookings required. | Join a member of our talented horticultural team in the Australian Garden and learn ways to maintain a beautiful home garden through drought conditions. |
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Selecting top Aussie battlers ~ Guided tour
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| When: | Every Sunday from 4th January to end of February 2009.
12.00 - 12.30pm | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | FREE with entry to the Australian Garden. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245 | Join our talented Volunteer Guides on a stroll through the Australian Garden to learn all about the top drought tolerant plants for your garden. |
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Australian Adaptations ~ Guided tour
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| When: | Thursday 22nd January
Thursday 5th February
11.00am - 12.30pm | | Where: | Australian Garden and Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne bushland | | Cost: | $7.50 adult
$6.50 conc/child | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245
Bookings required | Join a guided tour through the Australian Garden & bushland, exploring the evolution of Australian plants and ecosystems, particularly their adaptations to fire. This tour will open your eyes to the incredible complexity of Australian flora and ecosystems. |
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Evolution of Australian flora with Professor David Cantrill ~ Guided tour
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| When: | Sunday 15th February
11.00am - 12.30pm | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | $7.50 adult
$6.50 conc/child | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245
Bookings required. | Join Professor David Cantrill, Chief Botanist and Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Plant Sciences and Biodiversity Division, on a special walk and talk around the Australian Garden, discovering what makes Australian plants are so unique. |
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Nature Play and your Child ~ Workshop
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| When: | Friday 23rd January
10.30am - 12.30pm | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | $10.00 adult
$8.00 conc/child | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 5990 2245
Bookings required. | Explore the valuable role that plants and the environment can play in your child's learning. Chris Joy is known for her role on The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden design team. Find out how to make the most of gardens and other natural settings to stimulate your child's imagination, creativity, learning and enjoyment of the natural world. This workshop includes; discussion about the value of 'free' and structured play, hands-on experiences designed to support you in your role as a facilitator of nature play, and an exploration of the play potential of the plants and landscapes in the Australian Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. |
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Plant for your kids! ~ Workshop Building a garden for your family | 
| When: | Wednesday 14th & 28th January
10.30am - 12.00pm | | Where: | Australian Garden | | Cost: | $15.50 adult
$14.50 conc/child | |
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