Our indigenous plants from the Geelong and Bellarine regions are well represented in the Gardens, from the Red Gum by the gate to the yam daisies on the hillside and the vanilla lilies at the far end. Come and explore some wonders of our local plants. Meet your guide at the front gates. Gold coin donation is appreciated.

From the vegetables on our plates to the delicious fruit we eat; from spices and herbs to tubers and rhizomes - the Gardens has many of these amongst the thousands of plants growing here.  Join your guide to explore the stories and uses of these essential plants. Gold coin donation is appreciated. Meet your guide at the front gates, gold coin donation appreciated.

NOW FULLY BOOKED Seniors Week "Welcoming Seniors to the Geelong Botanic Gardens"  9.30 am: Guided Walk & 10.30 am:  Morning Tea Join the Friends' trained Guides for a guided walk through the Camelia Walk and Fern Gully at 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, and learn a little about the camellia and fern collections, in the company of other Seniors and the Friends. Proudly funded by The City of Greater Geelong, Positive Ageing Grant Bookings are essential.  Please contact the Friends' Office 03 5222 6053 or info@friendsgbg.org.au to book your place and receive a confirmation itinerary.

GEELONG SCHOOL OF BOTANICAL ART Large Meeting Room at the rear of Geelong Botanic Gardens (parking at the rear of the Gardens for this event). Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 January 2023 9.30 am to 4.30 pm This intensive 3-day workshop will focus on drawing from observation starting with graphite pencils and moving to watercolour to achieve realistic renderings of botanical subjects.  This will incorporate developing skills such as tonal variation, different mark making techniques, understanding how basic geometric shapes can be found in nature and translating them into your painting.  Suitable for beginners with little to no experience in botanical art. More details including materials list on the Friends’ website.    Please note the cost of materials is not included in the workshop fee, materials will have to be purchased separately. $290 FGBG members and $320 non members

GEELONG SCHOOL OF BOTANICAL ART Large Meeting Room at the rear of Geelong Botanic Gardens (parking at the rear of the Gardens for this event). Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 January 2023 9.30 am to 4.00 pm Large Meeting Room at the rear of Geelong Botanic Gardens (parking at the rear of the Gardens for this event). This 2-day workshop focuses on the simple seed pod. You will construct careful graphite drawings of varying compositions looking closely at the details. After considering the important elements of composition, we will transfer these drawings into watercolour paper and complete detailed paintings following the practise of botanical watercolour art.  All students will go home with at least one completed painting.  More details including materials list on the Friends’ website.     Please note the cost of materials is not included in the workshop fee, materials will have to be purchased separately. $180 members and $210 non members

FGBG Volunteers and GBG Staff are invited to attend an end of the year Christmas Lunch in the Large Meeting Room on Wednesday 14th December at 12.30.     We look forward to seeing you all there to celebrate a year of hard work and accomplishments. *Please purchase a free ticket to indicate your attendance for catering purposes.    If you cannot purchase a free ticket on this site, please ring the Friends' office with your RSVP.

FGBG Members and their guests can enjoy the beginning of the festive season with a BYO picnic on the Visitor Facility  lawns, with entertainment, raffle and a Silent Plant Auction. Tea and Coffee provided. Free event. Recommended to bring mosquito repellent, a picnic rug, folding chairs and your picnic basket. We hope to see you there.

JOIN THE FRIENDS OF GEELONG BOTANIC GARDENS ON THIS SPECIAL TRIP with first stop at Matt Reed and Michael Morant’s Antique Perennials. Here they specialize in rare and unusual perennials, including shade loving woodlanders, bulbs, prairie plants and other hardy perennials. They have spent years collecting and importing plants from many locations throughout the world. Many of the plants are recent introductions and are only available from Antique Perennials. We will be spoilt with a talk and tour behind the scenes and also have the opportunity to purchase plants. Then on to Alowyn Gardens with its formal garden areas including a Parterre Garden built along 17thC design principles, a forest garden, edible garden, perennial border, dry garden, other display gardens and the famous wisteria archway. Enjoy a BYO picnic or purchase lunch at the Café at Alowyn Gardens. Morning tea and entry fees included. $75 Members, $85 Non Members If you have any trouble booking please phone the Friends' Office on 5222 6053.

Gwen Anderson will demonstrate a range of Winter dishes at her home. Participants will enjoy a delicious lunch from the prepared dishes. Maximum 20, address supplied with booking. 

Dear Members You are invited to the FGBG Annual General Meeting, followed by Guest Speaker Brett Ince, Executive Director of Tourism Geelong and the Bellarine, on Monday 29 August 2022, in the Large Meeting Room at Geelong Botanic Gardens.  If you would like to appoint a proxy, please contact the Friends office. 5.00 pm: Arrive 5.10 pm: Welcome 5.15 pm: AGM  6.30 pm: Guest Speaker Brett Ince, Executive Director of Tourism Geelong and the Bellarine 7.30 pm: Supper 8.00 pm: Evening Close If members would like to bring a small plate of savoury or sweet nibblies, that would be very much appreciated.  This is a free members-only event, please RSVP for catering purposes.

A delicious supper is followed by the movie "Dare to be Wild" the true story of Mary Reynolds, a feisty landscape designer whose goal is to share the beauty of wild nature with the world. From the iconic green hills of Ireland to the vast, dry deserts of Africa and the bustle of London pageantry, this spirited Irish drama takes you on a sweeping romantic and environmental adventure. $20 Members, $25 Non-members.

Join us at Truffleduck, Fyansford for the Friends' annual fundraising Winter Lunch. A delicious two-course menu with drinks at bar prices. Guest Speaker Lynsey Poore will be speaking on the Physic Garden at Chelsea, established as the Apothecaries' Garden. It has occupied four acres of land on the edge of the Thames River since 1673. BOOKINGS ARE NOW CLOSED.