What's On

 
 
 April
 
Sunday 9: 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.
 
Friday 21: Melbourne Historic Gardens Train Trip, 8.00 am - 4.00 pm  BOOKED OUT
Travel to Melbourne by train to join the Friends in a self-guided tour of the historic Melbourne University Systems Garden in Parkville. We will take a tram to Spring St for a 2 pm guided tour (90 mins) of the Rooftop and other Parliamentary Gardens at Parliament House not accessible by the public outside a tour. Visit Treasury Gardens and the Conservatory in Fitzroy Gardens. BYO lunch or café in Fitzroy Gardens. Members $15 and Non-Members $20.
 
 
 
Sunday 23 April: Heritage Australia Guided Walk 'Stories from the Gardens', 2.00 pm 
Meet your GBG Guide at the front gates of the Gardens. We are in Wadawurrung Country, and will hear stories of the people who lived here for many thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The Gardens are among the oldest in Australia (established 1851) and include many interesting structures, as well as stories of earlier times. Our ancient trees also tell stories: visit the Discovery Table to hear more amazing tales. Gold coin donation appriciated.
 
May
 
Friday 5: Self-drive to 'Suealoe' at Lovely Banks, Lunch at Fyansford Hotel and the Fyansford Paper Mill.
Self-drive to 'Suealoe' at Lovely Banks for a tour and morning tea at this large succulent garden which opened for Open Gardens Victoria in 2022. Purchase own lunch afterwards at Fyansford Hotel and enjoy the company of good friends. Afterwards explore the Fyansford Paper Mill complex and enjoy at the Door Cafe before heading home. $20 Members, $25 Non-member. 
 
Sunday 7: 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 of the Geelong Botanic Gardens. Gold coin donation is appreciated. 
 Pacific Rim Garden
 
 
Wednesday 17: Volunteer Week Lunch, 12.30 pm - 3.30 pm
Volunteers are invited to celebrate Volunteers Week with a basket lunch and a viewing of the DVD movie “Juliet of the Herbs” – a whimsical documentary about the extraordinary life of a horticulturist who lived an alternative lifestyle amongst her goats and the natural world.   Free Event, members only.
 
June
 
Thursday Online Fortnightly: Winter Lecture Series, 12.00pm
Starts on Thursday 8 June, this years series covers a variety of topics, Members, and non member $20 for all four lectures. Booking detail to come.
  • Craig Morley 'A virtual tour of the Bellarine Peninsular looking at birds'
  • Norman Houghton 'Otway Hotels and Shanties'
  • Liz Benetto 'The Wadawurrung Connections'
  • Stephen Ryan and Craig Lidgerwood 'Gardens of Norrth West France'

Sunday 11: 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. 
 
Thursday 22:  Winter Lunch @Truffleduck -guest speaker Lyall Fillipi of Roraima Nursery, 12.00
 
July
 
Sunday 9: Themed Discovery Walk 'Wadawurrung' 2.00 pm
 
August
 
Sunday 13: 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. 
 
 
September
 
Sunday 10: Themed Discovery Walk 'Sensory Walk' 2.00 pm
 
October
 
Sunday 8: Themed Discovery Walk 'Flora of the Pacific Rim' 2.00 pm
 
November
 
Sunday 12: Themed Discovery Walk 'Green Spine' 2.00 pm
 

WEEKLY PLANT SALES

The Friends’ Plant Nursery is open every Wednesday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm showcasing 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 at 2.00 pm. 

For more information, or to make a booking, contact the Friends’ office on 5222 6053 between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm Monday to Friday.

 

 

 


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

In 2022, the tour revisited the Bellarine region and visited four stunning gardens in the Ocean Grove, Curlewis and St Leonards areas – offering an incredible variety of design and location.

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