Join us as we celebrate an incredible 175 years of history, beauty and community at the Geelong Botanic Gardens! This very special milestone celebration promises to be a wonderful day filled with fascinating guest speakers, The opening of the Wadawurrung Connection Project. This project was funded by a COGG First Nations Cultural Grant, there will be a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, followed by information about Wadawurrung plants and their uses. Also the ever-popular Second-Hand Book Sale, and the exciting launch of the Botanical Artists’ 2027 Diary — a beautiful celebration of botanical art and the Gardens we love. With plenty more special activities, surprises and plans in the making, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Come along, soak up the atmosphere, discover something new, support your local Botanic Gardens and be part of this once-in-a-generation celebration!  Save the date — 175 years is a milestone worth celebrating!

Despite straddling the equator, Africa has a large area with a temperate climate. As a result, there are many African plants that grow comfortably in the Geelong Botanic Gardens. Although the gardens grow more than 60 species of plants from Africa, on this walk we will only look at a few of particular interest. You might be puzzled as to how Africa might have such an area with a temperate climate. Meet your guide at the gardens front gate and find out. Meet your guide at the front steps.

The rose is one of the most loved and cultivated plants. It has occupied a prominent place in the art, literature and religions of many cultures since early times and stands as a symbol of love innocence and purity; nationhood, courage, passion and desire. The earliest pictorial evidence of a rose dates back to the sixteenth century BC, Royal Minoan Palace at Knossos in Crete. Meet your guide at the front steps.