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Excursion Planning Information
Excursion Planning Information
We realise that planning an excursion is a lot of work. Below we have provided information that will help make arranging your excursion as simple as possible. Please contact us should you require any additional information.
Booking a program
All booking requests must be made online at rbg.vic.gov.au/learn/booking. Our booking team will be in touch after receiving your request to confirm your visit. You can call our booking team directly on (03) 9252 2358 to answer any questions.
Booking Information
When requesting a booking you will need the following information:
- Education Program of your choice
- Preferred Excursion Date/s
- School Name and Address
- Contact details of organising teacher
- Number of students/classes
- School Accounts Officer contact details
Program Times
Programs run twice daily, 10.15am to 11.45am or 12.45pm to 2.15pm, during the Victorian school term. Programs are available Monday to Friday at Melbourne Gardens and Monday to Thursday at Cranbourne Gardens.
Program Cost
Each program is $13.50 per student (incl. GST). A minimum charge of 18 students per class applies. Teachers and adult helpers are free.
Payment
A Tax Invoice will be sent to your school’s Account Officer following your visit. Payment of invoice is required within 14 days of receipt.
Supervision Ratio
RBGV recommends the following adult to student ratios.
|
Year Level |
Ratio |
|
Early Childhood |
1:3 |
|
Foundation – Year 2 |
1:5 |
|
Year 3 - 12 |
1:10 |
Cancellations
A minimum of 24 hours notification is required for cancellations. Less than 24 hours’ notice will incur full payment of fees.
Nurture by Nature Fund
The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Nurture by Nature Fund supports schools to undertake an excursion to either the Melbourne or Cranbourne Gardens and participate in a Learning Program by providing subsidised transport and learning programs. Applications are accepted across two rounds each year - January and June – and places are strictly limited. If you would like to find our more about the Nurture by Nature Fund or register to receive notice of when applications are open please click here.
Getting here
Melbourne Gardens
Information of how to get to Melbourne gardens can be found on our Melbourne Gardens Getting Here page.
Bus parking for schools is available on Birdwood Avenue near the corner of Dallas Brooks Drive.
Cranbourne Gardens
Information of how to get to Cranbourne gardens can be found on our Cranbourne Gardens Getting Here page.
Bus parking is available onsite at the Southern end of the carpark.
When you arrive – Melbourne Gardens
Entrance and Meeting Point
Schools should enter via the Education Entrance located off Birdwood Avenue and gather on the lawn outside Observatory House.
Bag Storage
Schools may leave bags and other items on the verandah of Observatory House. Items of value should be carried with you at all times as RBGV taken no responsibility for personal belongings.
Toilets
The closest toilets are located next to the Visitor Centre opposite Observatory House, there are additional toilets located throughout the gardens.
Running Late
If you are running late for your Learning Program please contact our booking team on 03 9252 2358.
Download our Melbourne Gardens Pre-visit Information Sheet for more detailed information.
When you arrive – Cranbourne Gardens
Entrance and Meeting Point
Schools should meet outside the Visitor Centre, a short walk from the bus carpark.
Bag Storage
Upon arrival schools will be directed by Learning staff where they can leave bags. Items of value should be carried with you at all times as RBGV taken no responsibility for personal belongings.
Toilets
The nearest toilets are located opposite the Visitor Centre entrance, there are other toilets located throughout the gardens. [Highlighted on map]
Running Late
If you are running late for your Learning Program please contact our booking team on 03 9252 2358.
Download our Cranbourne Gardens Pre-visit Information Sheet for more detailed information.
Excursion Documentation
Provided below are a range of documents that schools may access for planning their upcoming RBGV excursion.
Risk Benefit Assessment – Melbourne Gardens
Risk Benefit Assessment – Cranbourne Gardens
Social Script – Melbourne Gardens
Social Script – Cranbourne Gardens (not yet available)
Access Key – Melbourne Gardens
Science
Horticulture
Support
Learn
Science
Conservation
Victoria's flora and fungi are under increasing threat from climate change, environmental weeds, agriculture, forest clearance and urbanisation. Climate change will especially impact on plants restricted to the coldest environments on mountain summits, which are likely to lose their only suitable habitat. At Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, studies of taxonomy, distribution, population genetics, propagation, translocation and seed banking all contribute to the conservation of Victoria’s and Australia's plants and fungi.
Seedbank
We collect millions of high-quality seeds from native plant species within Victoria for long-term storage, research and restoration programs.
Conservation
Our scientists work to maintain biological diversity, including genetic variation, essential for functional ecosystems and the long-term viability of species.
Weeds and biosecurity
Our research helps to identify, document and combat environmental weeds that pose a threat to native ecosystems and biodiversity.
Protecting our rare and threatened species
In Victoria, there are nearly 700 native species of threatened plants (among the approximately 3,200 species recorded from the state) along with many others that are rare. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria plays a leading role in programs to conserve these endangered species in order to stabilise or increase populations in their natural habitat. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is particularly involved in the conservation of native terrestrial orchids. Victoria is a 'hotspot' for orchid diversity, with 23 per cent of Australia's orchid species occurring in just 3 per cent of the land area. Most of the native orchid species found in Victoria are terrestrial, and at least a third occur nowhere else.
Horticulture
Plant Collections
Botanic gardens throughout the world play a significant role in helping scientists and the public understand the evolution and history of plants, their present day uses as well as what the future may hold for plants in natural environments. Across our two locations at Melbourne and Cranbourne, our experienced horticulture teams manage 45 plant collections as well as a significant area of precious bushland at Cranbourne Gardens. All of our collections feature plant labels which show each plant's scientific name comprised of a genus and species.
Sustainable Management
Our horticultural and environmental research is focused on responding to future challenges such as water availability and changing climatic conditions and looking at how these may impact on plant and landscape conservation within the gardens.
Environmental Management
At both Cranbourne and Melbourne our land management teams focus on irrigation management, finding alternate water sources, water quality and biodiversity of the lakes system; reducing weeds, protecting plants against pests and diseases and managing soils.
Water conservation
We are constantly striving to improve irrigation efficiency, stormwater treatment, lake ecosystems and water quality in the lake system. Recently the Working Wetlands project was completed at Melbourne Gardens, reducing reliance on potable water by 40%.
Home gardening
How we garden in botanic gardens, how you garden at home and how we all garden as a community has big impacts on the biodiversity and sustainability of urban Australia. The Australian Garden at Cranbourne is designed to showcase how native plants can make a spectacular and waterwise home garden. There is an Australian plant suitable for virtually any situation in your garden, from tall trees to ground covers, aquatic plants to those growing in low light or in full sun. Australian plants attract native birds and butterflies, and brighten up your garden with wonderful seasonal colour. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to find inspiration and great tips for using Australian native plants at home.
Support
Help the Gardens grow
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has a special place in the hearts and minds of all Victorians. The Gardens has played an important role in the cultural development of Melbourne and can continue to flourish with the help of passionate individuals. There are many ways to get involved with the Gardens and we value any level of support, whether you are a friend or a donor, a member of our Director’s Circle or one of our volunteers. There are also ways to honour those you love by dedicating a tree or a bench within the Garden of your choice.
Become a friend
The Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria at Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens play an active role in raising funds for the gardens through plant sales and programs.
Donate
It’s easy to help the Gardens. Any donation over $2 is tax deductible and every dollar helps contributes to the work of the Gardens.
Honour someone you love
Many people share the Gardens with those they love and some visitors choose to mark a significant occasion by dedicating a tree or a bench to someone special. In the Gardens you’ll notice each bench has a dedication plaque featuring a favourite quote or the recognition of an anniversary, achievement or occasion.
Learn
Hands-on education
The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria at Melbourne and Cranbourne offers a rich learning environment for students of all ages and abilities. Our Education Services team develops adaptive, strategic curriculum based programs to assist teachers and provide an enjoyable and valuable learning experience for students from kindergarten to university. Each education program is designed to support teachers in achieving the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and is delivered by a qualified teacher.
Our programs
We have just released an exciting new range of programs that encourages students from kindergarten to tertiary to explore the wonders of plants in a highly interactive environment.
Book an excursion
Contact our education office to book an immersive experience for your students that will lead to the development of life-long, life-wide skills.
Professional development
Each year we host an engaging Professional Development program for educators, featuring some of the world’s leading experts in nature-based education.
What people say…
'It is important that the children become aware of such a beautiful garden that provides a diverse range of opportunities to learn, relax, explore, etc.'
Grade 1
Yes - there was something for everyone ...ponding, feeling/smelling plants, creating pot pourri bags, listening to trees!'
Grade 2
'At the Botanic Gardens the children were able to see/touch and smell on a grand scale - GREAT!!'
Kindergarten
'The program has made a huge shift in the way my students view Indigenous Australians and it has changed some previous incorrect misconceptions'
Grade 5 and 6