What are the Australian National Botanic Gardens?
The Australian National Botanic Gardens, on the slopes of Black Mountain in Canberra, hold the world's largest living collection of Australian native plants. They opened to the public in 1970.
The gardens cover dozens of hectares and display thousands of native species, arranged by plant family and by region. They help scientists study and conserve Australia's plants.
Highlights include the Rainforest Gully, where a misting system recreates a moist forest in Canberra's dry climate, and the Red Centre Garden, showing desert landscapes.
Research and wildlife
The gardens are home to the Australian National Herbarium, which holds millions of preserved plant specimens. Seeds are stored in a national seed bank.
Birds, lizards and wallabies live among the plants. Free guided walks run daily.
Summer twilight concerts are held on the lawns.
The gardens are managed by Parks Australia and are free to enter, with a visitor centre, cafe and children's discovery areas. In spring, wattles, waratahs and grevilleas bloom across the slopes, attracting honeyeaters.
Did You Know?
Water dragons often sunbathe beside the paths in the Rainforest Gully.