Post on 11-Mar-2020
Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens
What’s OnSpring 2019Sep – Nov
4
Melbourne Gardens
Story Catching with Trace Balla Come and catch a story with award-winning author and illustrator Trace Balla (Rivertime, Rockhopping) and celebrate the Threatened Species Children’s Art Exhibition at Melbourne Gardens. In this family workshop, Trace will demonstrate how to use watercolour pencils and aqua brushes as she takes you through the process of making mini concertina books.
Trace will reveal how she sketches outdoors with her favourite tools, chat about ‘story-catching’, and guide you through the Gardens to spark your imagination and inspire the setting for your own tale. End the workshop with your own storybook creation to take home and share with others.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Mon 23 Sep, 11am & 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
8+ years, with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
3Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Auroraby Circus OzDive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw-dropping acrobatics and awe-inspiring artistry with Aurora. The latest creation by Circus Oz to grace the Big Top draws on the pristine beauty of the elements, exploring what was, what is, and what could be. The outrageously talented acrobats of Circus Oz have never been afraid of heights, but they’ll be pushed beyond their earthly limits during this excursion into the upper stratospheres of the possible. An exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment, the fl ying, swinging and trapezing of Aurora will take you out of this world.
Receive a 10% discount on the Garden Explorer with your Circus Oz ticket.
Presented by Circus Oz in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
PERFORMANCE SCH HOLS
Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct (see website for times)
Tickets $35 – $60 + booking feeKids (2 years old and under) sit on knee for FREEBookings essential, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/aurora
All ages
Circus Oz Big Top, Southern Cross Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
3Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Auroraby Circus OzDive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw-dropping acrobatics and awe-inspiring artistry with Aurora. The latest creation by Circus Oz to grace the Big Top draws on the pristine beauty of the elements, exploring what was, what is, and what could be. The outrageously talented acrobats of Circus Oz have never been afraid of heights, but they’ll be pushed beyond their earthly limits during this excursion into the upper stratospheres of the possible. An exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment, the fl ying, swinging and trapezing of Aurora will take you out of this world.
Receive a 10% discount on the Garden Explorer with your Circus Oz ticket.
Presented by Circus Oz in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
PERFORMANCE SCH HOLS
Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct (see website for times)
Tickets $35 – $60 + booking feeKids (2 years old and under) sit on knee for FREEBookings essential, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/aurora
All ages
Circus Oz Big Top, Southern Cross Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
4
Melbourne Gardens
Story Catching with Trace Balla Come and catch a story with award-winning author and illustrator Trace Balla (Rivertime, Rockhopping) and celebrate the Threatened Species Children’s Art Exhibition at Melbourne Gardens. In this family workshop, Trace will demonstrate how to use watercolour pencils and aqua brushes as she takes you through the process of making mini concertina books.
Trace will reveal how she sketches outdoors with her favourite tools, chat about ‘story-catching’, and guide you through the Gardens to spark your imagination and inspire the setting for your own tale. End the workshop with your own storybook creation to take home and share with others.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Mon 23 Sep, 11am & 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
8+ years, with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
7Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Forest Therapy (Shinrin-yoku)Originating from Japan, shinrin-yoku, or forest therapy, is a preventive health practice that immerses your senses in nature. This guided Forest Therapy walk will bolster your mental and physical health by reducing stress levels, lowering the pulse and blood pressure and lifting you into a more positive mood.
Recognised as a public health practice in Asia and Europe, forest therapy is gaining global acclaim as an evidence-based and natural remedy – a ‘green prescription’ for a healthier you.
Presented by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, In My Nature and the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA).
WELLBEINGTwo-hour sessions Sun 1, 8, 22 & 29 SepSun 6, 13 & 27 OctSun 3, 10 & 24 Nov
10am (2 hrs)
$35 Adult, $30 ConcBookings essential
12+ years (all sessions)
Meet at the Visitor Centre (all sessions)
Three-hour sessionsThird Sunday of each month Sun 15 Sep, 20 Oct & 17 Nov
10am (3 hrs)
$45 Adult, $40 Conc
Branch Out: Experiences in the Gardens for the Over 60sTue 10 & Wed 25 Sep
11am (2 hrs)
$30 per personBookings essential
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
6
Melbourne Gardens
InsectopiaUncover the incredible hidden world of insects as you and your little ones explore Melbourne Gardens in search of critters that call the Gardens home.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll set o� with ecologist Dr Luis Mata from RMIT University, who will share fascinating stories about the insects you discover along the way.
Delve into the integral role that insects play in spreading seeds, pollinating fl owers and supporting biodiversity. At the end of the workshop, you’ll get to take home an Indigenous plant to encourage insects to make themselves at home in your garden!
FAMILY ACTIVITYSun 3 Nov, 11am (2 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
All ages
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
5Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Spring into NatureBask in the warming sun at Melbourne Gardens and romp through family-focused nature play activities designed to stimulate the senses and enliven the soul. Come ready to explore, play and create, and observe the delights of spring.
Find joy in connecting with the natural world through nature-based sensory experiences. Weave your own fl ower crown, concoct herbaceous potions, or relax in the designated quiet place away from the noise but not the fun. Inclusive activities will take place in the Children’s Garden and out in the Gardens’ wider landscapes, so there’s plenty of room for all.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Wed 2 Oct, 10am – 1pm, drop in anytime
Free
0 – 8 years, with an adult
Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
3Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Auroraby Circus OzDive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw-dropping acrobatics and awe-inspiring artistry with Aurora. The latest creation by Circus Oz to grace the Big Top draws on the pristine beauty of the elements, exploring what was, what is, and what could be. The outrageously talented acrobats of Circus Oz have never been afraid of heights, but they’ll be pushed beyond their earthly limits during this excursion into the upper stratospheres of the possible. An exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment, the fl ying, swinging and trapezing of Aurora will take you out of this world.
Receive a 10% discount on the Garden Explorer with your Circus Oz ticket.
Presented by Circus Oz in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
PERFORMANCE SCH HOLS
Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct (see website for times)
Tickets $35 – $60 + booking feeKids (2 years old and under) sit on knee for FREEBookings essential, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/aurora
All ages
Circus Oz Big Top, Southern Cross Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
4
Melbourne Gardens
Story Catching with Trace Balla Come and catch a story with award-winning author and illustrator Trace Balla (Rivertime, Rockhopping) and celebrate the Threatened Species Children’s Art Exhibition at Melbourne Gardens. In this family workshop, Trace will demonstrate how to use watercolour pencils and aqua brushes as she takes you through the process of making mini concertina books.
Trace will reveal how she sketches outdoors with her favourite tools, chat about ‘story-catching’, and guide you through the Gardens to spark your imagination and inspire the setting for your own tale. End the workshop with your own storybook creation to take home and share with others.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Mon 23 Sep, 11am & 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
8+ years, with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
10
Melbourne Gardens
UnderstoryThe fragility and preciousness of nature are explored in this exhibition by Victorian visual artist and RMIT PhD candidate, Cara Johnson.
Drawing on the complex and layered narratives that connect people and plants, Cara’s object-based works have unfolded through deliberate material choices and dedicated making processes. Personal experiences of land management provide context as she interrogates the complications of landscape restoration and tree planting, while considering the ongoing e� ects of land clearing.
Presented by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria as part of Radiant Pavilion, the Melbourne Contemporary Jewellery and Object Biennial.
Image: Cara Johnson, Untitled 2019, Photographer Fred Kroh
ARTSMon 2 Sep – Sun 15 Sep
Daily, 10am – 5pm
Free
All ages
Domain House, Dallas Brooks Dr and Indigenous Grassland on Observatory Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
9Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Harp MeditationsSoak in the green tones of tree ferns and the soothing chords of live harp in this series of special concerts. Set in the rest house on the cusp of Fern Gully, composer and harpist Michael Johnson moves through a guided mindfulness meditation before embarking on a meditative concert.
Using music as a healing tool, Michael weaves music inspired by the Gardens with stories of how his compositions came to life. Draw down on a sense of peace, calm and wellbeing as you sit back and unwind in nature.
WELLBEINGSun 15 & 29 SepSun 20 OctSun 10 & 24 Nov
1pm (2 hrs)
$20 per personBookings essential
All ages
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
8
Melbourne Gardens
Botany Boot CampStruggle to distinguish your corymbia from your eucalyptus? You might be su� ering from plant blindness. First coined more than 20 years ago to describe the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, the a� iction is thought to be caused by spending much of life indoors. If you have it, don’t worry – you’re not alone.
Give your bout of plant blindness the boot and treat yourself to time out in nature with this new active tour around Melbourne Gardens. Get your sweat on as you power between iconic and unusual shrubs and trees, with plant scientist Dr Meg Hirst from the Victorian Conservation Seedbank and landscape architect Georgia Warren at the helm to give you insight into the wonderful world of botany.
WELLBEINGSecond Sunday of each monthSun 8 SepSun 13 Oct Sun 10 Nov
10.15am & 12pm (1.5 hrs)
$25 Adult, $20 ConcBookings essential
16+ years
Meet at Gate F
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
3Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Auroraby Circus OzDive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw-dropping acrobatics and awe-inspiring artistry with Aurora. The latest creation by Circus Oz to grace the Big Top draws on the pristine beauty of the elements, exploring what was, what is, and what could be. The outrageously talented acrobats of Circus Oz have never been afraid of heights, but they’ll be pushed beyond their earthly limits during this excursion into the upper stratospheres of the possible. An exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment, the fl ying, swinging and trapezing of Aurora will take you out of this world.
Receive a 10% discount on the Garden Explorer with your Circus Oz ticket.
Presented by Circus Oz in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
PERFORMANCE SCH HOLS
Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct (see website for times)
Tickets $35 – $60 + booking feeKids (2 years old and under) sit on knee for FREEBookings essential, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/aurora
All ages
Circus Oz Big Top, Southern Cross Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
4
Melbourne Gardens
Story Catching with Trace Balla Come and catch a story with award-winning author and illustrator Trace Balla (Rivertime, Rockhopping) and celebrate the Threatened Species Children’s Art Exhibition at Melbourne Gardens. In this family workshop, Trace will demonstrate how to use watercolour pencils and aqua brushes as she takes you through the process of making mini concertina books.
Trace will reveal how she sketches outdoors with her favourite tools, chat about ‘story-catching’, and guide you through the Gardens to spark your imagination and inspire the setting for your own tale. End the workshop with your own storybook creation to take home and share with others.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Mon 23 Sep, 11am & 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
8+ years, with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
13Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
reFraming Nature Take in this visually stunning collection of natural history illustrations celebrating nature and science. Created with scientifi c accuracy and artistic technique, these works explore the beauty of birds, bugs, fungi and amphibians
Presented by the Melbourne Friends.
ARTSSat 21 Sep – Sun 6 Oct
Daily, 10am – 4pm
Free
All ages
Domain House, Dallas Brooks Dr
Image: Lyn Gras
Threatened Species Children’s Art ExhibitionThousands of children have put pencil, ink and oils to paper to create artworks exploring the extinction crisis facing our native fl ora and fauna for the annual Threatened Species Children’s Art Competition. See Victoria’s fi nalists on show.
ARTSSat 7 Sep – Sat 28 Sep
Daylight hours, drop in anytime
Free
All ages
Opposite the Visitor Centre
Image: Dennis, Age 8, Maribyrnong PS
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
12
Melbourne Gardens
Turbulence, Confl ict and the Garden of RemediationWithin the perspective of a century of unrest, this exhibition and associated symposium explore the ways in which gardens and plants have unexpected relationships with times of turbulence.
Gardens have o� ered refuge as places of rehabilitation and healing. The plants growing within have fi gured as talismans of home, as medicines and, now, as harbingers of conflict-driven climate change.
Created by Lyndell Brown, Charles Green, Paul Gough and Jon Cattapan, these works represent the place of gardens within the movements of humans caught in turbulent flows.
An ARC Discovery Project. Presented by the Victorian College of the Arts and University of Melbourne in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Image: Scatter 2 (Santa Cruz) 2016 (detail)
ARTSExhibitionTurbulence, Confl ict and the Garden of Remediation
Sat 12 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Tue – Sun, 11am – 4pm
Free
Domain House, Dallas Brooks Dr
SymposiumAFTERSTORM: Gardens, Art, Confl ict
Fri 25 & Sat 26 Oct
11am – 4pm
FreeBookings essential
Mueller Hall, enter via Gate FFam
ilyW
ellbeingA
rtsTour
11Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Music to Play to Plants Musicians have long been inspired by nature. Some by its wildness, some by its geometry. Many attempt to imitate its sounds and patterns, while others distil these into new, abstract forms.
Join Aura Go and Tomoe Kawabata (piano duet) and Genevieve Lacey (recorder) for a gentle, plant-growing musical sojourn in spring. Through music chosen to play to plants, they soothe botanic and human souls.
There will be two 30-minute performances, with a promenade through Melbourne Gardens between the two, and afternoon tea to close. Old music by Bach, Hildegard von Bingen and Bassano. New, lyrical sounds by Andrea Keller and Ros Bandt.
Presented as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival and Branch Out: Experiences in the Gardens for the Over 60s.
Founding Program Partner: Regis Aged Care.
ARTSMon 7 & Tue 8 Oct, 2pm (1.5 hrs)
Wed 9 Oct, 11am (1.5 hrs)
$10 per personBookings essential
Meet at Gate FFam
ilyW
ellbeingA
rtsTour
3Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Auroraby Circus OzDive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw-dropping acrobatics and awe-inspiring artistry with Aurora. The latest creation by Circus Oz to grace the Big Top draws on the pristine beauty of the elements, exploring what was, what is, and what could be. The outrageously talented acrobats of Circus Oz have never been afraid of heights, but they’ll be pushed beyond their earthly limits during this excursion into the upper stratospheres of the possible. An exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment, the fl ying, swinging and trapezing of Aurora will take you out of this world.
Receive a 10% discount on the Garden Explorer with your Circus Oz ticket.
Presented by Circus Oz in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
PERFORMANCE SCH HOLS
Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct (see website for times)
Tickets $35 – $60 + booking feeKids (2 years old and under) sit on knee for FREEBookings essential, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/aurora
All ages
Circus Oz Big Top, Southern Cross Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
4
Melbourne Gardens
Story Catching with Trace Balla Come and catch a story with award-winning author and illustrator Trace Balla (Rivertime, Rockhopping) and celebrate the Threatened Species Children’s Art Exhibition at Melbourne Gardens. In this family workshop, Trace will demonstrate how to use watercolour pencils and aqua brushes as she takes you through the process of making mini concertina books.
Trace will reveal how she sketches outdoors with her favourite tools, chat about ‘story-catching’, and guide you through the Gardens to spark your imagination and inspire the setting for your own tale. End the workshop with your own storybook creation to take home and share with others.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Mon 23 Sep, 11am & 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
8+ years, with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
17Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Bush Food Experience Delve into the local First Peoples’ rich history, thriving culture and their connection to plants as you taste your way through the Gardens.
Find out how Australian bush foods have inspired the modern plate and palate, and learn how native plants growing within the Gardens have been traditionally used and continue to be used around the world today.
As your walk nears its end, round-out your knowledge with tastings of delicious canapes inspired by the native plants seen on your walk, developed and prepared by trainee chefs from iconic social enterprise restaurant Charcoal Lane.
Presented by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in association with Charcoal Lane and William Angliss Institute.
TOURSat 14 Sep, Sat 12 Oct & Sat 9 Nov
1.30pm (1.5 hrs)
$50 Adult, $43 ConcBookings essential
12+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
16
Melbourne Gardens
Care for the Rare:Celebrating National Threatened Species DayCelebrate Australia’s plant species on a guided tour to discover the Gardens’ Rare and Threatened Species collection. Precious plants from fi ve of Victoria’s environmental regions fi ll these garden beds, with many plants grown from seeds gathered by the Victorian Conservation Seedbank at Melbourne Gardens. Hear how they came into our care and discover which species you can help protect by adding them to your own plant collection.
TOURSat 7 Sep, 2pm (1.5 hrs)
$15 Adult, $12 Conc, $7 ChildBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
15Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Father’s Day Ti� n Picnic & Garden Explorer TourTreat Dad to a day out in nature. Pick up your gourmet ti� n lunch from Jardin Tan and kick back in deck chairs on Oak Lawn. Tuck into an array of French-Vietnamese treats, then hop on the Garden Explorer for a bus tour and take in the stunning views.
TOURSun 1 Sep, 1pm (2 hrs)
$50 per personBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Father’s Day Lakeside Picnic If you don’t fancy a tour, indulge in a curated picnic from The Terrace. Unwind on a deck chair on the banks of Ornamental Lake and munch through a delicious feast.
PICNICSun 1 Sep, 12pm (2.5 hrs)
$40 per personBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at The Terrace
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
3Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Auroraby Circus OzDive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw-dropping acrobatics and awe-inspiring artistry with Aurora. The latest creation by Circus Oz to grace the Big Top draws on the pristine beauty of the elements, exploring what was, what is, and what could be. The outrageously talented acrobats of Circus Oz have never been afraid of heights, but they’ll be pushed beyond their earthly limits during this excursion into the upper stratospheres of the possible. An exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment, the fl ying, swinging and trapezing of Aurora will take you out of this world.
Receive a 10% discount on the Garden Explorer with your Circus Oz ticket.
Presented by Circus Oz in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
PERFORMANCE SCH HOLS
Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct (see website for times)
Tickets $35 – $60 + booking feeKids (2 years old and under) sit on knee for FREEBookings essential, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/aurora
All ages
Circus Oz Big Top, Southern Cross Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
4
Melbourne Gardens
Story Catching with Trace Balla Come and catch a story with award-winning author and illustrator Trace Balla (Rivertime, Rockhopping) and celebrate the Threatened Species Children’s Art Exhibition at Melbourne Gardens. In this family workshop, Trace will demonstrate how to use watercolour pencils and aqua brushes as she takes you through the process of making mini concertina books.
Trace will reveal how she sketches outdoors with her favourite tools, chat about ‘story-catching’, and guide you through the Gardens to spark your imagination and inspire the setting for your own tale. End the workshop with your own storybook creation to take home and share with others.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Mon 23 Sep, 11am & 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
8+ years, with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
20
Melbourne Gardens
Melbourne Observatory: Night TourDiscover the fascinating history of Melbourne Observatory, built in the early 1860s as Melbourne’s home of weather forecasting, time keeping and star charting. Gain a backstage view of these historic buildings and see the amazing night sky brought into focus with our powerful heritage telescopes.
TOUREvery Mon in Sep, 8pm (1.5 hrs)Every Mon in Oct & Nov, 9pm (1.5 hrs)
$25 Adult, $20 Conc, $12 ChildBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Gardens UncoveredExplore behind the scenes and uncover the stories of the Gardens’ signifi cant landmarks. Venture into the historic Melbourne Observatory buildings and gain a rare glimpse inside the National Herbarium of Victoria before fi nishing at The Terrace with a complimentary drink.
TOUREvery Wed & Sat, 1.30pm (1.5 hrs)
$18 Adult, $14 Conc, $9 ChildBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
19Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Wondrous WattleCelebrate our national fl oral emblem, the golden wattle, on a special guided tour. See some of Victoria’s most beautiful native species and hear the intriguing tales that colour the history of our wondrous wattles.
TOURSun 1 Sep, 1.30pm (1.5 hrs)
$15 Adult, $12 Conc, $7 ChildBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Aboriginal Heritage WalkWomin Djeka! Journey into the ancestral lands of the Kulin (Koolin) Nation in this immersive tour with an Aboriginal guide. Gain insight into the rich history and thriving culture of the local First Peoples and discover their connection to plants.
TOURDaily except Sat, 11am (1.5 hrs)
$35 Adult, $29 Conc, $12 ChildBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
18
Melbourne Gardens
Free Guided WalkSee the highlights of our green sanctuary in the middle of bustling Melbourne with a free guided walk. Find sensational views and photo opportunities, and uncover the heritage and plant diversity of Melbourne Gardens with a passionate guide.
DAILY TOUR Daily, 10.30am (1.5 hrs)
Free
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Garden ExplorerDiscover the beauty of this inner-city oasis in the comfort of the open-air Garden Explorer bus. Enjoy live commentary and stunning views as you wind your way through the picturesque landscapes of Melbourne Gardens.
DAILY TOURMon – Fri, 12pm – 5pm (30 mins)
Sat, Sun & public holidays, 11am – 5pm (30 mins)
$10 Adult, $8 Conc, $5 ChildBookings essentialGroup bookings by arrangement
All ages
Meet at Oak Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
3Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Auroraby Circus OzDive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw-dropping acrobatics and awe-inspiring artistry with Aurora. The latest creation by Circus Oz to grace the Big Top draws on the pristine beauty of the elements, exploring what was, what is, and what could be. The outrageously talented acrobats of Circus Oz have never been afraid of heights, but they’ll be pushed beyond their earthly limits during this excursion into the upper stratospheres of the possible. An exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment, the fl ying, swinging and trapezing of Aurora will take you out of this world.
Receive a 10% discount on the Garden Explorer with your Circus Oz ticket.
Presented by Circus Oz in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
PERFORMANCE SCH HOLS
Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct (see website for times)
Tickets $35 – $60 + booking feeKids (2 years old and under) sit on knee for FREEBookings essential, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/aurora
All ages
Circus Oz Big Top, Southern Cross Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
4
Melbourne Gardens
Story Catching with Trace Balla Come and catch a story with award-winning author and illustrator Trace Balla (Rivertime, Rockhopping) and celebrate the Threatened Species Children’s Art Exhibition at Melbourne Gardens. In this family workshop, Trace will demonstrate how to use watercolour pencils and aqua brushes as she takes you through the process of making mini concertina books.
Trace will reveal how she sketches outdoors with her favourite tools, chat about ‘story-catching’, and guide you through the Gardens to spark your imagination and inspire the setting for your own tale. End the workshop with your own storybook creation to take home and share with others.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Mon 23 Sep, 11am & 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
8+ years, with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
23Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Punting on the LakeGlide between the bays and islands of Ornamental Lake on a guided boat ride. View the landscapes as never before and get up close to amazing birdlife and aquatic plants for wonderful photo opportunities. Private tours, large group and function bookings are also available.
PUNTINGDaily (weather permitting)
10.30am – 5pm (30 mins)
$25 Adult, $12 Child, $65 Family (2 Adults & 3 Children)Bookings recommended
Visit rbg.vic.gov.au/punting or call 0481 455 410 to book
All ages
Opposite The Terrace
Beyond the GardensLet us bring the Gardens to you. Designed to inspire home gardeners and anyone interested in the history of Melbourne’s iconic green sanctuary, this presentation by a passionate volunteer guide will take you on a virtual journey down the garden path.
PRESENTATIONBy arrangement (1 hr)
$65 per visitBookings essential
Adults
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
22
Melbourne Gardens
Exclusive Group ToursAn exclusive group tour at Melbourne Gardens is the perfect opportunity for your gardening, photography or Probus club to enjoy a bespoke experience. Tailor your walk to your group’s needs and interests, or choose from a list of popular topics.
TOURBy arrangement (1.5 hrs)
$10 per personMinimum 6 peopleBookings essential
Adults
Meet at the Visitor Centre
ClimateWatch WalkBecome a citizen scientist and help monitor biodiversity in the Gardens. On this guided walk, you’ll search for the impacts of climate change and collect valuable information for Earthwatch using the ClimateWatch app.
TOURThu 26 Sep, Sat 26 Oct & Tue 26 Nov
11am (1.5 hrs)
FreeBookings recommended
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
21Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Secret Life of BirdsFrom coots to cormorants and spinebills to swans, the birds of Melbourne Gardens are a delight to hear and see. Spot seasonal birds feasting on nectar from spring fl owers and spy water birds nesting around Ornamental Lake.
TOURSat 21 Sep, 10am (1.5 hrs)Thu 24 Oct, 5.30pm (1.5 hrs)Sat 16 Nov, 10am (1.5 hrs)
$18 Adult, $14 Conc, $9 ChildBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Melbourne Observatory: Solar TourDid you know that the sun is approximately 4.6 billion years old? View our nearest star with the help of expert astronomical guides and powerful telescopes and learn about the solar system while enjoying special access to Melbourne Observatory.
TOURSun 8 Sep, Sun 20 Oct & Sun 10 Nov
2pm (45 mins)
$13 Adult, $10 Conc, $6 ChildBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
3Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 9252 2429
Melbourne Gardens
Auroraby Circus OzDive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw-dropping acrobatics and awe-inspiring artistry with Aurora. The latest creation by Circus Oz to grace the Big Top draws on the pristine beauty of the elements, exploring what was, what is, and what could be. The outrageously talented acrobats of Circus Oz have never been afraid of heights, but they’ll be pushed beyond their earthly limits during this excursion into the upper stratospheres of the possible. An exhilarating 70-minute voyage of astonishment, the fl ying, swinging and trapezing of Aurora will take you out of this world.
Receive a 10% discount on the Garden Explorer with your Circus Oz ticket.
Presented by Circus Oz in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
PERFORMANCE SCH HOLS
Wed 18 Sep – Sun 6 Oct (see website for times)
Tickets $35 – $60 + booking feeKids (2 years old and under) sit on knee for FREEBookings essential, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/aurora
All ages
Circus Oz Big Top, Southern Cross Lawn
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
4
Melbourne Gardens
Story Catching with Trace Balla Come and catch a story with award-winning author and illustrator Trace Balla (Rivertime, Rockhopping) and celebrate the Threatened Species Children’s Art Exhibition at Melbourne Gardens. In this family workshop, Trace will demonstrate how to use watercolour pencils and aqua brushes as she takes you through the process of making mini concertina books.
Trace will reveal how she sketches outdoors with her favourite tools, chat about ‘story-catching’, and guide you through the Gardens to spark your imagination and inspire the setting for your own tale. End the workshop with your own storybook creation to take home and share with others.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Mon 23 Sep, 11am & 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$16 per personBookings essential
8+ years, with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
28
Cranbourne Gardens
Big Bandicoot BackyardA great big bandicoot has moved into Cranbourne Gardens. Help make it welcome!
Created with natural materials by artists Darryl Cordell, Vanessa Ellis and Trina Gaskell, this beautiful sculpture likes to have somewhere cosy to sleep – just like the last remaining population of Southern Brown Bandicoots in suburban Melbourne, which have found refuge in Cranbourne Gardens.
In the spring school holidays, come and help us create shelters for these precious creatures and contribute to bandicoot conservation. Get down low and see the world as a bandicoot does as you join in crafts and science activities to uncover the wonderful world of our native marsupials. Discover simple things you can do to help protect this precious species and create habitats for insects and animals at your own home.
Image: Mattea Davies
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Wed 2 Oct – Sat 5 Oct
10am – 2pm, drop in anytime
Free
All ages
Ian Potter Lakeside Precinct
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
27Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 5990 2200
Cranbourne Gardens
Kids Explorer Children ride free on the Kids Explorer during the school holidays! Cruise through the Australian Garden and experience its wonders through sight, sound and smell on this special tour designed for a child’s view. Take in the shapes of spring blooms – button fl owers, kangaroo paw and bottle brush – breathe in the delicious fragrances of di� erent eucalypt trees, notice the colours of the landscape and learn why plants are so important for our planet.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Sat 21 Sep – Sun 6 OctDaily, 10am – 4pm (25 mins)
$10 Adult, $8 Conc, Child FreeBookings recommended
All ages
Australian Garden
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
26
Cranbourne Gardens
Balee Koolin Bubup Bush PlaygroupNo two weeks are the same in this community playgroup for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Grow your skills in the traditional Boon Wurrung language, connect to country, celebrate culture and hear Indigenous children’s stories among native trees. Seek out plants and creatures that live in the remnant bushland, learn to identify which tracks and scats belong to wareeny (wombats) and bung (Southern Brown Bandicoots) and experience the joy of playing in nature.
FAMILY ACTIVITYTue (school term), 10.30am (1.5 hrs)
FreeBookings essential
Suitable for 0 – 5 years, older children welcome
Meet at Stringybark Picnic Area
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
27Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 5990 2200
Cranbourne Gardens
Kids Explorer Children ride free on the Kids Explorer during the school holidays! Cruise through the Australian Garden and experience its wonders through sight, sound and smell on this special tour designed for a child’s view. Take in the shapes of spring blooms – button fl owers, kangaroo paw and bottle brush – breathe in the delicious fragrances of di� erent eucalypt trees, notice the colours of the landscape and learn why plants are so important for our planet.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Sat 21 Sep – Sun 6 OctDaily, 10am – 4pm (25 mins)
$10 Adult, $8 Conc, Child FreeBookings recommended
All ages
Australian Garden
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
26
Cranbourne Gardens
Balee Koolin Bubup Bush PlaygroupNo two weeks are the same in this community playgroup for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Grow your skills in the traditional Boon Wurrung language, connect to country, celebrate culture and hear Indigenous children’s stories among native trees. Seek out plants and creatures that live in the remnant bushland, learn to identify which tracks and scats belong to wareeny (wombats) and bung (Southern Brown Bandicoots) and experience the joy of playing in nature.
FAMILY ACTIVITYTue (school term), 10.30am (1.5 hrs)
FreeBookings essential
Suitable for 0 – 5 years, older children welcome
Meet at Stringybark Picnic Area
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
31Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 5990 2200
Cranbourne Gardens
Talk & Gawk: Australian Mistletoes with Peter Rogers There’s more to mistletoe than meets the eye! Though known as a parasitic plant, mistletoe can have important and benefi cial relationships with wildlife. Learn more with fi eld naturalist Peter Rogers.
Presented by the Cranbourne Friends. Image: Rodger Elliot
TOUR Mon 23 Sep, 1pm (1.5 hrs)
$25 Adult, $20 Friends member, $10 Conc
Bookings essential Book at rbgfriendscranbourne.org.au
Adults
Auditorium
Bushland Bike TourGrab your bike and weave through bushland and open grasslands on a cruisy 6km ride. Feel the endorphins kick in as you put foot to pedal, spot wildlife, breathe in the eucalyptus-scented air and hear stories about the bush.
Enjoy a free drink after your adventure.
TOURSat 21 Sep, Sat 19 Oct & Mon 4 Nov
9.30am (2 hrs)
$14 Adult, $11 Conc, $7 ChildBookings essential
8+ years
Meet at the Australian Garden carpark
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
30
Cranbourne Gardens
Care for the Rare When a plant becomes extinct, its ecosystem shudders. How will the birds that feasted on its fruit fi ll their bellies? Or marsupials fi nd pathways to shelter?
On this guided tour, uncover the rare and threatened plants nurtured in the Gardens and the pressures they face in the wild. See beautiful plants splashing colour across the Future Garden and up to Howson Hill, the curiosities growing in the Weird and Wonderful Garden and the rare greenery in the Gondwana beds.
Whether magnifi cent and big or ugly and small, all plants are important to our planet. Come along and fi nd out how you can help them survive.
TOURSat 7 Sep, 1pm (1 hr)
$10 Adult, $8 Conc, $5 ChildBookings essential
All ages
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
29Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 5990 2200
Cranbourne Gardens
Welcome to Buathgurru (Grass Flowering Season)Set out into the Australian Garden during the Indigenous season buathgurru (grass fl owering season) to seek out minibeasts and natives in bloom. Put on your scientist hat and discover the critters in the billabong as you fi nd froglets that have just found their voices.
FAMILY ACTIVITYSat 9 Nov, 11am (2 hrs)
$10 per personBookings essential
6+ years with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Welcome to Poorneet (Tadpole Season)Stamp your feet and hop about – poorneet (tadpole season) is here! In this Indigenous school holiday program, celebrate the froggy friends in our waterways with a morning of stories, dance, microscopes and potted up plants.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Tue 1 Oct, 11am (2 hrs)
$10 per personBookings essential
4+ years with an adult
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
26
Cranbourne Gardens
Balee Koolin Bubup Bush PlaygroupNo two weeks are the same in this community playgroup for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Grow your skills in the traditional Boon Wurrung language, connect to country, celebrate culture and hear Indigenous children’s stories among native trees. Seek out plants and creatures that live in the remnant bushland, learn to identify which tracks and scats belong to wareeny (wombats) and bung (Southern Brown Bandicoots) and experience the joy of playing in nature.
FAMILY ACTIVITYTue (school term), 10.30am (1.5 hrs)
FreeBookings essential
Suitable for 0 – 5 years, older children welcome
Meet at Stringybark Picnic Area
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
27Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 5990 2200
Cranbourne Gardens
Kids Explorer Children ride free on the Kids Explorer during the school holidays! Cruise through the Australian Garden and experience its wonders through sight, sound and smell on this special tour designed for a child’s view. Take in the shapes of spring blooms – button fl owers, kangaroo paw and bottle brush – breathe in the delicious fragrances of di� erent eucalypt trees, notice the colours of the landscape and learn why plants are so important for our planet.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Sat 21 Sep – Sun 6 OctDaily, 10am – 4pm (25 mins)
$10 Adult, $8 Conc, Child FreeBookings recommended
All ages
Australian Garden
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
34
Cranbourne Gardens
Exclusive Group ToursSee the sights of the Australian Garden with your community group and learn about the diversity of Australian plants on a walking tour led by an expert guide. Choose from one of our bespoke tours or have one tailored to your group’s interest.
TOURBy arrangement (1 hr)
$6.50 per personMinimum of 6 peopleBookings essential
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Birds in the Australian GardenJoin us for a free walk to identify some of the birds often spied in the Australian Garden. Hear stories about how they have shaped the forests and wildfl owers of Australia and listen and look for birds fl ying, feeding and nesting as you explore the landscape.
TOURSat 14 Sep, Fri 4 Oct, Sat 26 Oct & Sat 2 Nov
10am (1 hr)
FreeBookings essential
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
33Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 5990 2200
Cranbourne Gardens
Father’s Day Explorer and LunchTreat your dad to a well-earned lunch at Boon Wurrung Café after a relaxing ride through the Australian Garden on The Explorer bus. All dads will receive a complimentary beer, house wine or non-alcoholic drink with the purchase of fi sh and chips. That’s sure to put a smile on his face.
TOUR & LUNCHSun 1 Sep, 11am (25 min tour followed by lunch)
$30 Adult, $15 ChildBookings essential
All ages
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Father’s Day Urban Gardening WalkWhether you boast a big backyard or a compact city courtyard, there’s an Australian plant out there that’s just right for your home. So celebrate Father’s Day by boosting your green thumb skills on a special walking tour with a gift for every dad.
TOURSun 1 Sep, 1pm (1 hr)
$8 Adult, $6.50 Conc, $4 ChildBookings essential
All ages
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
32
Cranbourne Gardens
Snapshots of Australia Venture into the Australian Garden with an expert guide and discover the curiosities of Australian plants and how they survive in our climate. Have your camera ready as you journey along the Rockpool Waterway, cross the Waterhole Bridge at the river’s bend and peer across the expanse of the Red Sand Garden.
DAILY TOURDaily, 11am (1 hr)
$8 Adult, $6.50 Conc, $4 ChildBookings essential
All ages
Meet at the Visitor Centre
The ExplorerDiscover the iconic Australian landscape on an open-air bus tour. From the Red Sand Garden, journey along the east coast of Australia and around the river bend before winding back through the Peppermint Garden, taking in the wonders of the native bush.During the school holidays kids ride free! See page 27.
DAILY TOURDaily, 10am – 4pm (25 mins)
$10 Adult, $8 Conc, $5 Child
Exclusive group tours available (30 mins or 1 hr) – Bookings essential
Australian Garden
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
26
Cranbourne Gardens
Balee Koolin Bubup Bush PlaygroupNo two weeks are the same in this community playgroup for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Grow your skills in the traditional Boon Wurrung language, connect to country, celebrate culture and hear Indigenous children’s stories among native trees. Seek out plants and creatures that live in the remnant bushland, learn to identify which tracks and scats belong to wareeny (wombats) and bung (Southern Brown Bandicoots) and experience the joy of playing in nature.
FAMILY ACTIVITYTue (school term), 10.30am (1.5 hrs)
FreeBookings essential
Suitable for 0 – 5 years, older children welcome
Meet at Stringybark Picnic Area
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
27Bookings rbg.vic.gov.au | 5990 2200
Cranbourne Gardens
Kids Explorer Children ride free on the Kids Explorer during the school holidays! Cruise through the Australian Garden and experience its wonders through sight, sound and smell on this special tour designed for a child’s view. Take in the shapes of spring blooms – button fl owers, kangaroo paw and bottle brush – breathe in the delicious fragrances of di� erent eucalypt trees, notice the colours of the landscape and learn why plants are so important for our planet.
FAMILY ACTIVITY SCH HOLS
Sat 21 Sep – Sun 6 OctDaily, 10am – 4pm (25 mins)
$10 Adult, $8 Conc, Child FreeBookings recommended
All ages
Australian Garden
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour
Melbourne GardensBirdwood Avenue Melbourne 3004
Open daily 7.30am to sunset
Cranbourne GardensCorner of Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne 3977
Open daily except Christmas Day9am to 5pm
Share your special moments#royalbotanicgardensvicw rbg.vic.gov.au� BotanicGardensVictoria� @RBG_Victoria� @royalbotanicgardensvic
41
SUPPORT THE GARDENSSupport plant conservation and the future of the Gardens by making a fully tax-deductible donation today.
Visit rbg.vic.gov.au/support
MAJOR PARTNER
MAJOR PARTNER OFFICIAL PARTNER BRONZE PARTNERS
Wine partner
Thank you to our partners
36
Join the FriendsThe Friends provide invaluable fi nancial support to Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and host special events for their members throughout the year.
Find out moreMelbourne Friends rbgfriendsmelbourne.org.auCranbourne Friends rbgfriendscranbourne.org.au
Green your home with plants from the Gardens’ Friends.
Melbourne Friends Plant SaleSat 19 Oct
10am – 4pm, drop in anytime
Sun 20 Oct
10am – 3pm, drop in anytime
Visit rbgfriendsmelbourne.org
Growing Friends Plant Nursery, enter via Gate E
Cranbourne Friends Plant SaleSat 26 & Sun 27 Oct
10am – 4pm, drop in anytime
Visit rbgfriendscranbourne.org.au
Australian Garden, near the kiosk
Spring Plant Sales
Family
Wellbeing
Arts
Tour