Celebrate positive aging with a Guided walk and Morning tea in the Geelong Botanic Gardens. RSVP essential: Please call the office to book or for more information, limit of 50 people. NOW FULLY BOOKED.

Join the Friends at our annual Christmas BYO Picnic at the Visitor Facility in the Gardens. Bring family and friends, to begin the Christmas spirit in a relaxed and informal gathering. Featuring a huge Christmas raffle, tea and coffee will be provided.  BYO alcohol permitted. 6.30 – 7.30 Make your own group or join a group on the night, to enjoy a fun quiz with a horticultural theme. Lots of fun and a prize to win!!  

Bring friends and car-pool, to make your own way to the Queenscliff ferry, then travel as a group to Sorento. We will then travel by bus to historic Beleura house and garden, split into 2 groups of 20 and have guided tours of both the house and garden. Morning tea and lunch are included. BYO /purchase afternoon tea on the return ferry.         Beleura was built on the Mornington Peninsula in 1863 by Scottish immigrant and successful merchant James Butchart. Today Beleura and its splendid grounds, interiors and archival material reflect the life and legacy of the Tallis family. Composer John Tallis lived here for 48 years and bequeathed Beleura to the people of Victoria. It’s original gardens are maintained by an active Friends group and they lead the guided tours. Ticket includes ferry fares, silver service morning tea and lunch, as well as 2 guided tours

Passing right through the middle of Geelong, there is a path lined by trees and other plants. Come for a guided walk along this path, to see mature trees and recently-planted garden beds. Explore why a garden is sunken, visit pines from Gallipoli, see plants in full spring bloom and look at imaginative use of diverse, and some unusual, plants in the middle of the shopping area. We will walk three blocks from Fenwick Street to Yarra Street. Meet your guide at the rotunda in Johnstone Park. Gold coin donation is appreciated. Meet your Guide at the rotunda in Johnstone Park.

Guest speakers Jane Edmanson, Peter Ades and John Nieuwesteeg will share their knowledge, experience and passion for roses. These presentations will be held in the meeting room at the Geelong Botanic Gardens. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and seek advice from the experts. The presentations will be followed by a fabulous afternoon tea at the Visitors Centre and a visit to the Geelong Botanic Gardens Heritage Rose Collection. It will be a day to celebrate our love of roses and to see the wonderful heritage roses at Geelong Botanic Gardens in bloom. The day launches a booklet developed by the Friends’ Heritage Rose Growers and the Friends’ 2024 Rose Lovers calendar. Both will be available on the day. Costs: $45 for members of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens. $50 for non-members.

The Geelong School of Botanic Art 'Inspired by Nature 8' Botanic Art Exhibition. This exhibition will feature exceptional botanical art created by the talented students and tutors of our school. The artwork ranges from grand portrayals of flora to intricate depictions of plant life, all executed with remarkable technique and skill. The exhibition will present a blend of contemporary and traditional botanical art, offering a comprehensive exploration of the structural botany of plants and showcasing individual artistic expressions through the varied use of watercolour, coloured pencil, graphite, pen, and gouache. Notably, all artwork on display will be available for purchase, making it an excellent opportunity for art collectors or individuals looking to enhance their living spaces with beautiful botanical creations.   Inspired by Nature 8 Exhibition to be held from 4th November to 9th December 2023 Monday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm At the Waterfront Gallery Deakin University Geelong Entry via Cunningham Street.

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October,  10.00 am - 3.00 pm Located at the rear of the Geelong Botanic Gardens, the Friends' Plant Nursery has a wide range of plants available, drop in and say hello to one of the volunteers, and take home plants for your garden at special prices. 

Treat friends to a self-drive tour of 4 beautiful private gardens in Geelong. Beginning with a fascinating 1850s Heritage Listed home with original garden layout, then on to a stunning 4 year old architect designed house and eclectic garden, a delightful suburban garden full of plants collected by an avid plant person, finishing with afternoon tea (included in ticket price) and plant sale at a fabulous 4 acre garden with amazing views. No tickets can be purchased on the day. Addresses and directions to these private gardens supplied a few weeks prior to event.  

This themed walk will describe some of the impressive features that many plants have developed inorder 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 which they employ. You may be inspired to alter the character of your garden! Meet your guide at the front steps of the GBG , a gold coin donation is appriciated.

Sunday 8 October, 10.00 a - 4.00 pm Located at the rear of the Geelong Botanic Gardens, the Friends' Plant Nursery has a wide range of plants available, drop in and say hello to one of the volunteers, and take home plants for your garden at special prices. 

Open Saturday 16 and Sunday 17, 11.00am - 3.00 pm Located at the rear of the Geelong Botanic Gardens, the Friends' Plant Nursery has a wide range of plants available, drop in and say hello to one of the volunteers, and take home plants for your garden at special prices. 

Stimulate all your senses on a guided adventure in Geelong Botanic Gardens.  Explore the aromas and flavours of plants and learn how they are used in food, drinks, cosmetics, and medicines. Listen to the sounds of the Gardens – identify the birds. Feel the textures, from velvety soft to harsh and abrasive. Enjoy the vistas. Meet your guide at the front gate. Gold coin donation.