Tertiary and adult programs

The Herbarium holds internationally significant collections. The living collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens serve as a rich resource for the study of many Australian and international rare and threatened species.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Education Service allows teachers and students to take advantage of the rich resources to enliven and enrich studies in education, biology, science, health science, geography, environment, horticulture, art and history.

Melbourne programs

• Outdoor Landscapes for Learning
• Behind the Scenes
• Sustainable Gardening
• Landscape Design
• The Aboriginal Resources Trail
• Nature Play and Your Child
• Plant Toxicology

Outdoor Landscapes for Learning

Suitable for Education and Early Childhood professions and for Landscape Design students

Through the exploration of the plants and landscapes of the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, students discover how the development of an outdoor play and learning space for children can be centred around imaginative play. Topics discussed may include; child participation in the planning process, development and application of a learning philosophy (pedagogy), plant selection, creation of space or rooms, the role of literature, children and the real work of a garden, links to VELS, discussion on the risk, challenges and perceived dangers of outdoor play, forging community partnerships and developing sustainable practices. Education and Child Studies students are engaged in the work and play of the garden. Students meet with members of the IPFCG design team.

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Behind the Scenes

Suitable for TAFE horticulture, Land Management and Sustainability professions

Visit the National Herbarium of Victoria and the Gardens' Nursery Collections and discover some fascinating botanical specimens. Learn about the work that goes on in the Herbarium such as plant identification and its significance over the last 150 years. See how specimens are collected, prepared, documented and mounted. Meet the scientists and horticulturists who work at the RBG.

Unfortunately, no photographs can be taken in the Herbarium or Nursery area without prior arrangement, due to privacy and copyright issues.

Program Snapshot (PDF format 33.6KB)

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Sustainable Gardening

Suitable for Education and Health professions and School Community Gardens

The basic skills of good gardening practice are taught during this hands-on program, exploring water conservation, organic gardening methods, composting and worm farming. Students will consider ideas for designing or developing their own gardens. Meet the horticulturist in the Kitchen Garden.

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Landscape Design

Suitable for Horticulture and Design professions

The Royal Botanic Gardens has been a Melbourne icon for 160 years. Why? Come and discover the design secrets of the Gardens and learn a little about its history through designers such as Guilfoyle and Mueller. Visit the new Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and learn about the philosophy behind its design and why it is so popular.  Meet the Royal Botanic Gardens Landscape Architect.

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The Aboriginal Resources Trail

Suitable for Land Management and Sustainability studies, Art, Education and History studies

The Aboriginal Resource Trail is designed to give students a greater understanding and respect for the local Kulin culture. Visit Long Island, where indigenous plant habitat has been returned, see remnant plants and understand the significance of Waa (the raven) and Birrarung (Yarra River). The Gardens also have more than 100 species of plants used by Aboriginal people in other parts of Australia. Experiences include making and using ochre paint, string-making using cumbungi and a hands-on exploration of tools. The emphasis is on diversity and examining sustainable land practices used by Aboriginal people. Meet an indigenous guide.

Teachers Kit (PDF format 930KB)
Program Snapshot (PDF format 46.1KB)

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Nature Play and Your Child

Suitable for parent playgroups, childcare and education professions.

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 plants and landscapes using the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Group bookings only, minimum 15 adults.

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Plant Toxicology

Suitable for Veterinary Science and Human Health professions

Come on a journey to discover the hidden power of plants and how they fight for survival in the face of constant attack from animals. Learn about the poisons that plants make in order to defend themselves and the effects these have on humans and other animals. Learn the shocking truth that many common garden plants and parts of common food plants are poisonous. Learn to recognise the features of poisonous plants, like those in the Solanaceae family. Visit the Herbarium and learn about its role in plant identification from the botanists that work there. 

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Cranbourne programs

Programs for Tertiary and Adult Education Institutions are provided and are tailored to curriculum needs. They are negotiated with the Education Co-ordinator and we need at least one weeks notice in order to book staff for these programs, more for larger groups. Programs are led by either Education or Horticultural staff acording to topics covered.

Subject matter covered in pograms at Cranbourne include:

• Growing Australian Plants
• Establishing the Australian Garden
• Conservation Land Management
• Classification
• Environmental Decision Making
• Ecological Fieldwork
• Recreation Resource Management
• Landscape Design

Session times

All programs 1 hour and 45 minutes in duration.
10.15am – 12.00 noon
12.30pm – 2.15pm

Program prices

$9.90 per student (includ. GST)
$168.00 per class, for small groups (Minimum Charge)
Teachers / Adults free (Maximum 8 per class)

Bookings and information

Melbourne: (03) 9252 2358
Cranbourne: (03) 5990 2245

Email: education services