'Dig a Little Deeper'
These Special Interest Themed Walks are offered each month, usually on the second Sunday, commencing at 2.00 pm, weather permitting.
Meet your Volunteer Guide on the front steps of the Botanic Gardens.
Gold coin donation.
Sunday 12 February: Themed Discovery Walk 'Gondwana' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
This walk is an opportunity to see the plants in Geelong Botanic Gardens which are direct descendants of the plants that lived on the southern supercontinent of Gondwana, the ancient landmass attached to Antarctica. The many plants that have miraculously survived Australia's 45 million years of separation are well-represented in our Gardens for us to enjoy. Gold coin donation is appreciated.
Sunday 12 March: Themed Discovery Walk 'Plant to Plate' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
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.
Sunday 9 April: Themed Discovery Walk 'Indigenous Plants' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
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. Gold coin donation is appreciated.
Sunday 7 May: Themed Discovery Walk 'Pacific Rim Garden' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
Discover some of the amazing trees that grow around our Pacific Rim. Some of these are rare and threatened in their native habitat. This important collection is displayed in the attractive southern extension to the Geelong Botanic Gardens. Gold coin donation is appreciated.
Sunday 11 June: Themed Discovery Walk 'Ferns' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
Come and learn about ferns and how fashions in the GBG have changed from John Raddenberry, the 2nd Curator’s renowned Fernery begun in 1885, to our modern natural Fern Glade established in 1982. It has recently been refurbished with most species of ferns, the Conservatory allowing for the inclusion of tropical ferns. Gold coin donation is appreciated.
Sunday 9 July: Themed Discovery Walk 'Wadawurrung' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
Geelong’s First People, the Wadawurrung, used plants in many ways: for food, medicine, fibre, tools and ceremony. Many of these plants are in Geelong Botanic Gardens. Come for a stroll around the Gardens to learn more. Gold coin donation is appreciated.
Sunday 13 August: Themed Discovery Walk 'Chinese Plants' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
China had the first Botanical Garden in 138 BC, an enormous park with 2,000 different plants and hot houses.2nd emperor Yang Di in Sui dynasty (581-618AD) built the largest gardens in history and searched far and wide for rare and beautiful plants. 2,000 years of Chinese horticultural endeavour enrich gardens all over the world. Join me on a walk on 14th June at 2.00 to see how many of our plants have Chinese origins! Gold coin donation is appreciated.
Sunday 10 September: Themed Discovery Walk 'Sensory Walk' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
Stimulate all your senses on a guided adventure in Geelong Botanic Gardens. Have fun exploring 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 steps. Gold coin donation appreciated.
Sunday 8 October: Themed Discovery Walk 'Changing Planet, ChangingPlants: Plant Adaption' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
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. Gold coin donation is appreciated.
Sunday 12 November: Themed Discovery Walk 'Green Spine' 2.00 pm,
Passing right through the middle of Geelong, there is a path linedby trees and plants. During this guided walk you'll discover maturetrees and recently-planted garden beds. Explore why a garden issunken and visit pines from Gallipoli. You'll see plants in full springbloom and the imaginative use of diverse and unusual plants in themiddle of the shopping area. We will walk three blocks from FenwickStreet to Bellarine Street. Meet your guide at the rotunda in Johnson Park at 2.00 pm. Gold coin donation appreciated.
