Guided Walks

After recent rain, the lush lawns, century-old trees and diverse gardens are stunning. The Guides love to share their knowledge and passion for our gardens and have developed four diverse walks that will inform and delight you as you stroll around this magical space. 

Please indicate your preference for the Sunday morning  Guided Walk at Registration. The preference sheets will be closed at 1.00 pm Saturday (end of the lunch break).

1 Eastern Park Landscape and Water Harvesting

Geelong Botanic Gardens is surrounded by nearly a square kilometre of parkland, the Heritage-listed Eastern Park. This mid-Victorian public park retains a number of its original features and significant trees. The mid-Victorian lake, which was filled for a sports field in 1929, was reinstated as a water storage in 2013. It has been landscaped with plants indigenous to the Geelong area. With its development, and the installation of a modern irrigation system, the reclaimed water has brought new vigour to the botanic gardens.

This walk is longer than the others and will take 1hr 45 mins. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a great hike around Eastern Park!

2 Our Significant Horticultural Collections

Geelong Botanic Gardens holds prized collections listed on the Plant Trust National Plant Collections Register which conserves and records the diversity of garden plants suitable for Australia's growing conditions. Our pelargonium and salvia collections include many rare species.  These tough and adaptable plants are so easy to manage and perfect for the home garden.  Many are available from the Friends' Nursery.

This activity involves less walking and includes a visit to the Friends’ Nursery (also open 4.30 - 5.30 pm on Sunday 1 May) 

3 Three Centuries, Three Landscapes

In 1857, Daniel Bunce, our first curator, was set the challenge of making a garden on a bare, unwatered hillside. Over the last 150 years, planting styles have changed dramatically. Follow our history through the gardens of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st centuries, hearing the stories of changing structures and fashions.

A leisurely stroll through the gardens and may include a visit to the Friends’ Nursery (also open 4.30 - 5.30 pm on Sunday 1 May) Time: approximately 1.5 hours

4 Trees: Heritage Trees and the Artists' View 

Geelong Botanic Gardens is well known for its magnificent heritage trees, many of which are classified by the National Trust.  Our botanic artists have been inspired by these and many others and their work is collected in the book TREES Capturing the Essence of Geelong Botanic Gardens: Artists Views.  Follow the tree trail with your Guide to find the originals.

A leisurely stroll through the gardens and may include a visit to the Friends’ Nursery (also open 4.30 - 5.30 pm on Sunday 1 May) Time: approximately 1.5 hours