Parks Australia

Booderee Botanic Gardens are the only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens in Australia. Here visitors can learn about bush tucker and medicinal uses of plants and the long association that Koori people have with the area and the plants of south eastern Australia.

Enjoy the peaceful setting of the Gardens by relaxing on the grass lawns, or using the picnic tables provided. At the Scribbly Lawn, electric barbecues and a sheltered picnic area are available for large groups or wet weather use. There are a number of beautiful walking trails through the Botanic Gardens and it is an excellent place to observe birds and other animals.

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• Opening hours

  The Gardens are open every day including public holidays. Admission to the Gardens is included in the park use fee for Booderee National Park. Please pay at the park entrance station.
  • 1 OCTOBER - 30 APRIL
    Open 8.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday
    Open 8.00 am - 6.00 pm Weekends and Public Holidays (Daylight Saving)
    Open 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Weekends and Public Holidays (EST)
    
    1 MAY - 30 SEPTEMBER
    Open 9.00 am - 4.00 pm daily
    
    DECEMBER/JANUARY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
    Open 8.00 am - 6.00 pm daily
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• Explore

  Learn about the fascinating plants of the region and how they have been and continue to be used by local Koori people.
  
  • Follow the well-formed paths through the rainforest, heath, forest and other cultivated areas. Many of the paths through the Gardens are suitable for assisted wheelchair use and prams.
    
    Experience some of the natural coastal vegetation communities of the area by walking along one or more of the nature trails. You can combine the nature trails and other paths to do a loop walk around the Gardens of 3.7 kms. Allow from one hour to a whole day for your visit.
    
    Find you way around Booderee with our handy map. Download now (PDF - 1.5 MB)
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• Guided walks

  Book a ranger-guided walk through the Botanic Gardens for your school group. These popular walks are available on Tuesdays. Booking is essential.

  • Book at least two weeks in advance and school groups of no more than 30 at one time are preferred. To book a guided walk, please complete the following booking form and email it to booderee.interps@environment.gov.au. Please note, bookings are not automatic and confirmation will be sent to you with details.

    Unfortunately, during the busy months of December and January we are unable to offer our guided walks. However, the park offers a free school holiday program over this period. Please refer to the school holiday program, which will be posted on our website in early December.

     

    Download the education, schools and guide walks booking form (PDF - 85KB) Download Word version (118 KB)
    
    For more information call the park on 02 4442 1006.

    Members of the general public can book Indigenous guided tours through Galamban Aboriginal Tours. Call +61 02 4442 1117 or +61 0437 721 481 for more information.

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• History

  Since the early days, local Koori people from the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community have worked on the site, a tradition now well into its third generation.
  
  • In the early 1900s, the Botanic Gardens site was actually part of a farm owned by Australian piano manufacturer Ocatvius Beale. Octavius tried to use the farm, known as Bherwerre, to grow timber for piano frames. The timber plantations failed so the farm moved into grazing and dairy.
    
    Development of the Botanic Gardens started in 1951, with the area selected to be a frost-free annex of Australian National Botanic Gardens. Since the early days, local Koori people from the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community have worked on the site, a tradition now well into its third generation.
    
    The local Koori community became the owners of the Gardens and the park in 1995, today jointly managing both with Parks Australia. In 2000, the Gardens became independent of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, but they maintain close ties. Today the Botanic Gardens focuses on the Aboriginal use of plants and have a dedicated Koori Garden and education shelter.
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• Volunteer

  Would you like to help keep Booderee's Botanic Gardens beautiful? You can join the volunteer Park Care Group. To find our more email Booderee.mail@environment.gov.au
  
• Venue hire

  Have your dream wedding or celebration at the Botanic Gardens. To find out more email Booderee.mail@environment.gov.au