Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria lights up this winter with an unmissable events program.
A spectacular winter awaits at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria as the new season program featuring immersive nightime trails, free nature play and vibrant cultural celebrations is announced. Highlight events include Lightscape, The Megaphone Project and NAIDOC Celebrations.
“The winter calendar of events and new attractions gives everyone an excuse to rug up, embrace the cooler weather, and get out in nature with loved ones,” says Director & Chief Executive, Chris Russell. “At Melbourne Gardens, a leisurely stroll through the newly refurbished Sensory Garden offers a moment to take in vibrant colours, fragrant aromas, and soothing sounds. At Cranbourne Gardens, visitors can get inspired at the new ‘How to Garden’ and take home expert tips for planting Australian natives in their own garden,” he said.
Other program highlights at Melbourne Gardens include the return of Solar Tours which offers a rare glimpse at the wonder of our closest star through a beautifully restored 4-inch Photoheliograph telescope and Stellar Nights, a guided tour through Melbourne Observatory led by the Astronomical Society of Victoria. To celebrate the start of winter, the Gardens will also be running regular ticket giveaways on Instagram for Lightscape.
At Cranbourne Gardens, the insightful walking tour Gardens for Wildlife & Bandicoots will explore the lives of these marvelous marsupials, while Forest Therapy offers a moment to unwind and reconnect in the serene surrounds of the Australian Garden.
There are free and budget-friendly events and activities for children at both Gardens, including the School Holiday Explorer Bus, and a suite of drop-in craft and music activities at the NAIDOC Celebrations.
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne was recently awarded a Best of the Best award by the Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Awards and Cranbourne Gardens was recently named the 6th top must-see garden globally by the New York Times.
More information
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Lightscape: An award-winning immersive light experience which transforms the Gardens after-dark with a trail of installations by local, national and international artists. Warm up along the trail with mulled wine, hot chocolate and delicious treats as you soak in the surrounds of the Gardens beneath the night sky.
Stellar Nights: A tour through Melbourne Observatory with a guide from the Astronomical Society of Victoria. In the 1800’s, Melbourne Observatory was a scientific institution crucial for southern hemisphere astronomy. Visitors will have the opportunity to gaze at the stars through two of its iconic telescopes.
Solar Tours: An expert-led tour offering visitors a safe solar viewing through the beautifully restored 4-inch Photoheliograph telescope, as well as a look at a solar projection with the Troughton & Simms telescope.
Aboriginal Heritage Walk: Visitors will gain insight into the rich history and thriving culture of the First Peoples of Australia with a First Peoples guide at this significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation. Topics include Aboriginal plant uses, customs, ongoing connection to Country and significant native plants within the Gardens.
Forest Therapy: Originating from Japan, Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” strengthens mental and physical wellbeing by boosting the immune system, reducing stress levels, regulating blood pressure and improving sleep quality. Participants will learn simple nature connection and sensory practices.
Robin Boyd’s Neighbourhood Walking Tour: A 2.5km walking tour through South Yarra’s diverse architectural streetscape and heritage-listed residences. The tour will begin at Guilfoyle’s Volcano within Melbourne Gardens, which was co-designed by well-known Australian architect Robin Boyd.
Sonica Botanica: Stories and sounds from the Gardens by Patrick Cronin: Visitors can bring their mobile and headphones and scan the Sonica Botanica QR code to listen to six episodes that each explore a special landscape or plant collection at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, from the Arid Garden to Fern Gully to Long Island and more.
Secret Life of Birds: This guided tour will explore the birds of the Gardens including water birds nesting around Ornamental Lake. Visitors will also receive a take-home bird guide.
ClimateWatch Walk: A free guided walk where visitors can learn how climate change is affecting plants and wildlife at Royal Botanic Gardens and contribute data that will shape Australia’s response to climate change.
The Explorer Bus Melbourne: An open-air bus tour of the Gardens where the driver/guide provides commentary about the sights, stories and surroundings.
Free Guided Walk: Led by a passionate guide, visitors can discover the remarkable plant diversity of this sanctuary in the middle of bustling Melbourne.
Looking after your winter garden: A panel of knowledgeable and experienced gardeners will share their insights for maintaining a healthy winter garden and offer some tips to give a flourishing spring garden a head start.
Non-alcoholic drinks with Sharon Flynn from The Fermentary: A guided workshop where host, Sharon Flynn, shares her insights on the history of fermentation, herbal brews and mead. Participants will take home their own fermenting samples.
Truffle Month: Truffles are the star of the show at The Observatory this winter with limited time offers on meals.
For the Children
School Holiday Explorer Bus: Children ride HALF PRICE on The School Holiday Explorer Bus during the school holidays.
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
NAIDOC Celebrations: A series of welcoming and family-friendly events to celebrate First Peoples culture and knowledge. Children and adults alike will enjoy drop-in craft activities, performances from First Peoples artists and guided walks that highlight the bushfood plants growing in the Gardens.
The Megaphone Project: A large-scale installation featuring 25 vivid red megaphones that invite visitors to discover the surprising ways sound can travel. Visitors will rediscover the childhood wonder of tin telephones and the playful possibilities of acoustics while they sing, speak or listen to the soundscape of the natural world.
Forest Therapy: Originating from Japan, Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” strengthens mental and physical wellbeing by boosting the immune system, reducing stress levels, regulating blood pressure and improving sleep quality. Participants will learn simple nature connection and sensory practices.
Gardens for Wildlife & Bandicoots: Visitors will experience a guided walk through the Australian Garden to learn about the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots at Cranbourne Gardens in addition to plant and garden features that can support them in a suburban backyard.
Birds in the Australian Garden: Visitors will discover the wonderful world of the birds that call the Australian Garden home and may spot unique species such as the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus), the New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) and the Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys).
ClimateWatch Walk: A free guided walk where visitors can learn how climate change is affecting plants and wildlife at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and contribute data that will shape Australia’s response to climate change.
The Explorer Bus Cranbourne: An open-air bus tour of the Gardens where the driver/guide provides commentary about the sights, stories and surroundings.
Free Australian Garden Walk: Led by an experienced guide, visitors can experience through the highlights of the Australian Garden including its award-winning design, unique landscapes and flowers of the season.
For the Children
School Holiday Explorer Bus: Children ride HALF PRICE on The School Holiday Explorer Bus during the school holidays.
To source images and interviews, please contact:
communications@rbg.vic.gov.au
(03) 9252 2300