Australian National Botanic Gardens is a great day out for kids

Discover a treasure of Australian plants and landscapes at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Only minutes from Canberra’s city centre.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens offer a great day out for families. Take a journey across the Land Down Under with a selection of plants from the coastal rainforests to the arid Red Centre. Admire the diversity of over 4,700 native plant species – the largest living collection of Australian plants in Australia.

Relax with a picnic, enjoy an event or exhibition and immerse yourself in the beauty of Australian plants and landscapes. Learn more about Australian plants on a guided walk or follow one of the many self-guided walking trails.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens are open from 8.30am to 5.00pm daily (except Christmas Day).

Australian National Botanic Gardens key features

Kids’ club
No

Educational programs
Yes

Lockers
No

Restaurant
Yes

BBQ areas
No

Help desk
Yes

Entry
Free

Guided tours
Free

Wheelchair accessible
Yes

Daily shows
No

Kids area
Yes

Parenting rooms
Yes

Play

The Paperbark Treehouse and Garden are popular with the kids. Climb up the three-storey treehouse to experience canopy views of the surrounding forest. There is wheelchair access via a ramp to the first platform. From there, a ladder will take you up to the crow’s nest at the top of the structure. There is also a ‘Who Did That?’ children’s trail that teaches kids about the importance of biodiversity via fun activity stations.

Explore the Gardens Rainforest Gully and Red Centre Garden where children can discover new things around every corner. Or take a ride on the Flora Explorer electric bus for a relaxing way to see the Gardens.

Kids only

Who Did That? Trail

Paperbark Treehouse

Fun for all

Rainforest Gully

Red Centre Garden

Banksia Garden

Main Path

Beautiful flowers

Water dragons in summer

Flora Explorer electric bus

Self-guided trails

Pollen Café

Botanical Bookshop

Grown ups

Jindii Eco Spa

Getting there

Getting to the Australian National Botanic Gardens is easy by foot, bicycle, bus or car.

Only minutes from the Canberra CBD, the gardens are located on the lower slopes of Black Mountain. The main entrance is on Clunies Ross Street, Acton.

Getting there by foot or bicycle

The Gardens are approximately a 2.5-kilometre walk or ride from central Canberra. Google Maps can help you plot the quickest and safest route. There are bicycle racks near the visitor centre and car park.

Getting there by bus

A range of bus options will take you to the gardens. Find the best bus route for you using Google Maps’ public transport directions.

Getting there by car

You can access the main entrance on Clunies Ross Street via Parkes Way to the south or Barry Drive to the north.

Parking

The gardens has plenty of car parking. Fees for each vehicle are $3.60 per hour up to a maximum of $15.00 for the day.