What's On

December

No Guided Walk on Wednesday 24 December, Sunday 28 December and Wednesday 31 December
The Office will be closed from Monday 22 December, and re-open on Monday 5 January at 10.00 am.
Nursery closure dates TBA

January 2026

Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January: Botanical Art Masterclass 'Monochrome Studies & Metallic Expressions' with tutor John Pastoriza-Pinol
Join us for a three-day immersive botanical art experience exploring tone, texture, and creative experimentation. In this masterclass, participants will undertake a complete botanical project, choosing between two focus areas, Monochrome Botanical Study and Metallic Background Experimentation. Please contact the office to register for this master class, places are limited.
Ph: 03 5229 0071, info@friendsgbg.org.au
Class outline & Materials list

February 2026

Thursday 19 and 26 February: Seniors Week - Free Guided Walk and Morning Tea, 9.30 am - 11.30 am - Bookings essential.
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.

EVENT REFUND POLICY - PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING

WEEKLY PLANT SALES

The Friends’ Plant Nursery is open every Wednesday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm show casing a wide selection of plants sourced from the Geelong Botanic Gardens.

Located at the rear of the GBG.

WEEKLY GUIDED WALKS

Every Wednesday at 11.00 am, and Sunday 2.00 pm

For more information, or to make a booking contact the Geelong Botanic Gardens

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Members recently enjoyed a Cooking Demonstration with Gwen Anderson and absolutely enjoyed the luncheon which followed. (Photos: Annie McGeachy)

Through the Garden Gates

The Friends have held these very popular self-drive garden tours, visiting private gardens in the areas:

2012 - the Bellarine
2013 - the Surf Coast
2014 - Geelong
2015 - the Bellarine
2016 - Golden Plains
2017 - the Bellarine
2018 - the Bellarine
2019 - the Surf Coast
2021 - the Jan Juc area
2022 - the Bellarine
2023 - Inner Geelong area
2024 - the Bellarine

In 2023, the tour visited four stunning gardens in inner Geelong, finishing the tour with afternoon tea at a delightful Waurn Ponds garden, in October 2024 we headed back to the Bellarine visting gardens in Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Drysdale.

Afternoon Tea is included in the ticket price - and was again a delicious event, held at a garden in Drysdale. At Drysdale, there was a Plant Stall (plants from gardens of Growers and Friends).

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