Gondwana is the name given to the southern supercontinent and ancient land mass attached to Antarctica. Many plants have survived Australia’s 45 million years of separation from this supercontinent. The Geelong Botanic Garden has a good collection of plants from this period of time, and this walk will introduce you to some of them. Meet your guide at the front steps.

Lambley Nursery in Ascot Ballarat Botanic Gardens: Garden Tour and Nursery Visit Private Garden and Nursery both at Haddon Thursday 12 March 2026 8.00 am to 5.30 pm Arrive at Gate 3 Carpark, Eastern Park Circuit, East Geelong at 7.45 am for 8.00 am departure. Join the Friends for a coach tour of four wonderful gardens in the Ballarat area. We will visit Lambley Nursery in Ascot; the glorious begonias at Ballarat Botanic Gardens with guided tour and picnic in the gardens and Ballarat Friends nursery; a beautiful private garden and Avalon Nursery, both at Haddon. Bring your own picnic lunch. AM and PM tea included. Arrive by 7.45am, leaving from car park opposite Gate 3 Eastern Park Circuit. Numbers capped at 48 people. Itinerary and information provided after booking. Bookings are essential and due by Wednesday 4 March

Meet your Guide at the Front Gates Join your Guide to be introduced to the wonderful collection of ferns and discover more about these special plants and the conditions needed to grow them successfully.  Hear how fern fashions have changed in our botanical garden.   Gold coin donation appreciated.

BOOKED OUT Seniors Week - Free Guided Walk and Morning Tea 9.30 am: Guided Walk & 10.30 am:  Morning Tea Join the Friends' trained Guides for a guided walk through the Geelong Botanic Gardens. This will be followed by a professionally catered-for morning tea and a welcome to the Gardens by members of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens. The Friends wish to encourage Seniors to actively enjoy the Gardens,  in the company of other Seniors and the Friends. You can expect level changes and uneven path and gravel surfaces.  Your visit will include walking and standing for short periods of time.  Proudly funded by The City of Greater Geelong, Positive Ageing Grant Bookings are essential.  Please contact the Friends' Office 03 5229 0071 or info@friendsgbg.org.au to book your place and receive a confirmation itinerary.

BOOKED OUT Seniors Week - Free Guided Walk and Morning Tea 9.30 am: Guided Walk & 10.30 am:  Morning Tea Join the Friends' trained Guides for a guided walk through the Geelong Botanic Gardens. This will be followed by a professionally catered-for morning tea and a welcome to the Gardens by members of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens. The Friends wish to encourage Seniors to actively enjoy the Gardens,  in the company of other Seniors and the Friends. You can expect level changes and uneven path and gravel surfaces.  Your visit will include walking and standing for short periods of time.  Proudly funded by The City of Greater Geelong, Positive Ageing Grant Bookings are essential.  Please contact the Friends' Office 03 5229 0071 or info@friendsgbg.org.au to book your place and receive a confirmation itinerary.

Large Meeting Room at Geelong Botanic Gardens Charles Joseph La Trobe’s interest in the natural world led him to seek out the plants of Port Phillip and to send botanical specimens to his friends in the scientific community in Switzerland. La Trobe’s legacy is found in the many plants he collected now held in various herbaria around the world, in those named after him, and the fact that Victoria, with its beautiful botanic gardens, became known as the Garden State. Helen Botham has carried out research into garden history for the National Trust and the Australian Garden History Society. Being also a member of the La Trobe Society, and National Trust Volunteer Garden Coordinator for La Trobe’s Cottage, she has a particular interest in the garden La Trobe created at Jolimont, and in his extra-curricular dedication to botany. Bookings are essential and due by Wednesday 4 Feb. If you would prefer to book at the Friends office contact the Office on 5229 0071  

SATURDAY PLANT SALE 22 November 10am - 3pm  'SAVE THE DATE' At Geelong Botanic Gardens Plants for sale at affordable prices, sourced from our beautiful Botanic Gardens. The Friends' Volunteers are a great source of gardening knowledge and will be happy to assist you if you have any questions. PLANT NURSERY LOCATED at the Rear of the Geelong Botanic Gardens. BYO Shopping Bags would be appreciated. For more information 03 5229 0071 info@friendsgbg.org.au 1w

Sunday 9 November, 2.00 pm at the Front Gates The pollination of plants is integral to their reproduction and survival.  Come and hear about the differing ways native plants are pollinated.  They can provide habitat for local native fauna to encourage pollinators such as small birds, butterflies, native bees, lizards, frogs and bats.

President Jan Cheyne and the Committee of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens invite current Friends, volunteers and past members to join them for a Morning Tea Celebration in the Visitors Centre at the Geelong Botanic Gardens to mark our 40th anniversary milestone ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Entry to the event is via the front entry on Eastern Park Circuit Parking: Parking is available in the carparks either side of the front entry   SCHEDULE: Arrival time: from 9:00 am Food and drinks served: from 9:30 am at the Visitors Centre   Please note, guests may be photographed during this event   Dietary: Please advise of any dietary restrictions.  Catering by The Gordon   RSVP ESSENTIAL Here by 30 OCTOBER: or email to info@friendsgbg.org.au or phone the Friends’ office: 03 5229 0071

FULLY BOOKED.   Waiting List Available, if a person cancels; ring the Friends office 03 5229 0071. By popular demand, all are invited to join the Friends on a coach tour, visiting three gardens in the Langwarrin and nearby Cranbourne areas. It will be a long but wonderful day, so wear your comfy shoes. Commencing with morning tea, followed by a guided tour of a section of Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, there may be an opportunity to purchase from the Cranbourne Friends’ Nursery. Then on to nearby McClelland Sculpture Park where, you may buy a take-away lunch at the on-site café or bring a picnic lunch, to enjoy amongst large sculptures and native gardens along the Dame Elizabeth Murdoch nature trail. Or you may chose to pre book a table, where bookings are necessary to secure a table. If you wish to dine-in please make your own booking a week beforehand by contacting  ph. 97891671 We will then drive a short distance to Cruden Farm, where you may wander around the world-famous gardens in all their Spring glory, or simply enjoy the lovely views of the lake and gardens. Afternoon tea will complete our day. Tickets include morning and afternoon tea, with bring/buy your own lunch. Leave from carpark opposite gate 3, Geelong Botanic Gardens at 7.30 am.    Arrive back at Geelong 6.00 pm Itinerary, including Coach departure map and all information will be provided after booking.  

THEMED GUIDED WALK ‘ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES & PLANT ADAPTION’          Sunday 12 October, 2.00 pm at the Front Gates          This themed walk will describe some of the impressive features that many plants have developed in order to cope in desert or arid growing regions, in low water environments and during drought conditions. We will explore some of the plants in the Geelong Botanic Gardens describing the strategies they employ.

A SPRING AFTERNOON with FRIENDS Tuesday 7 October 2025 12.30 pm -  4.00 pm ITINERARY PROVIDED AFTER BOOKING In this year of our 40th anniversary, members have generously offered to contribute to the Friends who have come to mean so much to them over the years. Friends members and their carer, or special other, are invited to a relaxing afternoon enjoying afternoon tea and a plant sale, at the Belmont home of Anthea and Chris Williams. Two of Anthea’s neighbours would love to share their much loved garden collections with us as well. It will be a welcome opportunity to enjoy the Spring weather and purchase from a stall full of plants donated by members, with proceeds to the Friends.  Lynne Clarke would also like to open her garden to those who wish to begin the afternoon with a stroll through her Highton garden. It is a fascinating collection of edible produce and sustainable, mainly native planting, which reflects much thought and love of the environment. The afternoon is a FREE event for Members, but please RSVP for catering and address details, by contacting the Friends’ office ph. 5229 0071   A small plate to share for afternoon tea would be appreciated. Do as much or as little as you like on this special day for members. Towards the end of the year a final members’ event will be held in Geelong Botanic Gardens, with more details to be announced. Times: 12.30 pm:                Lynne’s garden  1.45 pm:                  Arrive at Anthea’s from 1.45 pm, followed by a Garden tour from 2.00 pm. 2.30 pm-4.00 pm.:   Afternoon Tea and Plant Sales