Winter School Holidays at the Royal Botanic Gardens

School Holidays are back this winter, join Royal Botanic Gardens for an exciting series of fun outdoor activities in their Gardens. There’s lots of creative and outdoor challenges on offer in the Gardens these Winter holidays. Come down and join the fun!

Kids in the Garden School Holiday Program

Outdoor Theatre - Bill Brushtail and the Case of the Missing Habitat

Bill Brushtail the Private Detective has been called in by a mysterious client to find the missing habitat……. Where has it gone Who took it? and... How can we get it back? Follow the clues to help Bill solve the case!

This roving performance through the garden will have plenty of audience participation and lots of interesting and engaging characters to meet along the way.

Note: Recommended for children 6 -12 years and their families

When:   11th July 2022, 10:30 - 11:30am and 1:00 - 2:00pm
Where:  Royal Botanic Garden, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, Rathborne Lodge Lawn
Cost:     $14 per person | $12.50 Foundation and Friends per person. Infants 12 months and under attend free of charge with a ticket holding sibling and adult.

Luminous Eco Lantern Making

Chase away the winter blues with colourful lanterns inspired by the beauty of the Botanic Garden’s iconic plant species. 

It may be the darkest time of the year, but you can still bring some sparkle to your outdoor space! Learn how to create sustainable garden ornaments as you choose from natural materials to construct your own eco-lantern. Take a gentle walk around the garden and learn how plants prepare for winter and gardens change with the seasons. 

Note: Children 5-12 years and their families.

When:   11th & 12th July 2022, 10:00 - 11:30 & 12:30 - 2:00
Where:  Royal Botanic Garden, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, Rathborne Lodge
Cost:     $18 per child | $16 per Foundation and Friends Member child

Inside the Tide

Explore a marine dream of coral, kelp and coast with Inside the Tide! Step inside this spectacular world of aquatic delights in our new immersive exhibition.

Combining the theatrical with horticulture, this exhibition creates a surreal, magical and playful display. Telling the stories of hero plants in three aquatic communities: Kelp Forests, Coral Reefs and Seagrass Meadows, wander through what feels like an under the sea experience and watch a pantomime come to life. Come face to face with giant sea creatures like the topiary blue whale, a chandelier of jellyfish or blue ringed octopus with interactive elements both children and adults will enjoy.

This year's display has also enlisted the help of hundreds school children from across NSW, who in 2021 created Codium seaweeds when undertaking educational workshops with the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney learning about the threats to coastal environments and how to best care for habitats.

Inside the Tide has over 20,000 plants on display and one of the largest living green walls in the Southern Hemisphere. Curated by the horticultural team at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and presented in partnership with Erth.

While you're visiting, let your kids explore the kid's corner where they can discover life's enchanting characteristics in the ocean. Activities include First Nations fishing, seagrass yoga and much more. 

When:   Daily 10am - 4pm.
Where:  Royal Botanic Garden, The Calyx
Cost:     Entry by donation

Rights & Freedoms NAIDOC Tour

In alignment with this year’s NAIDOC theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’, please join in on the opportunity to explore the Royal Botanic Garden’s Cadi Jam Ora Garden and learn about the perseverance and resistance of First Nations peoples in their journey and fight for sovereignty, justice and freedom. 

Participants will discover through the Cadi Jam Ora garden, important First Nations figures, Dreaming stories and dates whilst creating their own Aboriginal flags, headbands, calico bags and much more.

Note: Children 5-12 years and their families.

When:   5 July 2022, 10am - 11:30am & 1pm - 2:30pm & 13th July 2022, 10am - 11:30am
Where:  Royal Botanic Garden, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, Rathborne Lodge 
Cost:     $18 per child | $16 per Foundation and Friends Members child

Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour

Walk with your First Nations guide through the Botanic Gardens to learn more about Indigenous bush foods and how these foods were used traditionally and adapted to the modern plate and palate.

On your one-hour tour, you’ll journey through the Cadi Jam Ora garden and learn about some of the hottest bush foods on the market right now, all while tasting some goodies for yourself!

When:   Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am - 12pm (exc. public holidays)
Where:  Royal Botanic Garden, Garden Shop 
Cost:     Adult (16 years and over) $30 | Foundation and Friends Members & Concession $27 | Children (7 years and over) $20 | Children under 7 years free of charge

Ghostly Garden Tour

Take a twilight adventure through the Royal Botanic Garden in this spine-tingling storytelling event.

In a rare opportunity to come within the Garden Gates after hours, you’ll journey along shadowy tree-lined paths, creep past gloomy ponds and tiptoe through eerie grottos. You'll hear spooky and kooky stories of the Garden's past — tales of people long-since dead — as bats flit above your head and night-creatures stare from the treetops on this unforgettable tour of the 'ghostly garden'.

Note: Bring your own torch. Also, this tour covers uneven terrain so be sure to wear comfortable enclosed walking shoes. A reasonable level of mobility is required.

When:   Fridays 10 & 24 June 2022, 5:30pm - 7pm.
Where:  Royal Botanic Garden, Meet at Woolloomooloo Gate, Mrs Macquaries Road.
Cost:     $42 per person | $37 Foundation and Friends Members, Bookings essential online

Garden Grubs

This full-day vacation care program is full of fun adventures in the Garden. Kids will spend the day exploring and participating in a range of creative and action based activities whilst connecting with nature!
 
The Garden is a fun, safe and nurturing environment and the perfect excuse for parents struggling with the constant family juggle or just looking for a day to themselves.  

When:   11th & 12th July 2022, Long day 8:00am - 5:00pm & Standard day 9:30am - 3:30pm.
Where:  Royal Botanic Garden, The Moore Room, Connected to the Maiden Theatre. Closest Garden access is Woolloomooloo Gate.
Cost:     Standard day: $90 per child /$81 Foundation and Friends member. Long day: $120 per child /$108 Foundation and Friends member. Receive 10% off when you order two tickets for siblings on the same day.

For further information visit, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
 

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