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Red Centre Garden officially opens

One of the nation’s biggest living treasures, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, now houses a garden paying tribute to the heart of our country – the Red Centre.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham opened the Red Centre Garden at the Gardens on 31 October 2013.

“This garden has been three years in the design and making. It’s a major new development for our national botanic gardens and a new tourism attraction for the Capital,” he said.

“In a first for Canberra, the garden features the arid landscapes and iconic plants of Central Australia. It’s great to be here and see the striking red sand, dunes and rocks and desert trees and plants.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back in 12 months’ time and seeing this arid landscape taking shape, with the classic trees and shrubs of our country’s heart broken up by a creek bed and a carpet of desert wildflowers.

“You’ll be able to get a unique sense that you’re on a trek through Central Australia itself, while standing at the foot of Black Mountain.

“I congratulate the Gardens and their staff on their passion and spirit. This is a place that continues to inspire, inform and connect people to the native plants of our country. Where else in Australia can you see so many tens of thousands of Australian plants, and walk from the Tasmanian garden up through the tropical rainforests past the alpine plants to the Red Centre.”

In a magnificent effort of logistics, the Red Centre Garden features 900 tonnes of red sand, 800 tonnes of rock and 380 tonnes of local brown sand providing the setting for the garden’s plantings.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens propagated in its nursery seeds from Central Australia, as well as trucking in one very large and old red cabbage palm, Livistona mariae, which takes pride of place at the top of the garden.

Other highlights of the Red Centre Garden include a viewing platform and an Indigenous artwork meticulously recreated in pavement artwork, funded by the Friends of the Gardens. There’s also a story hub for families – including a large thorny devil statue that children will love to meet.

“What a great gift to celebrate the centenary of Canberra,” Senator Birmingham said. “There’s nothing more appropriate to the bush capital than a garden that celebrates our country’s diverse and fascinating landscapes.”

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The Gardens takes home ecotourism award

The Gardens came alive with excitement after winning the ecotourism category at this year’s Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards.

The annual Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards showcases the best of the region’s tourism industry and promote, encourage and reward tourism excellence.

A new entrant to the Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards, the Australian National Botanic Gardens took the winning prize in the ecotourism category. The Gardens winning entry highlighted the significant range of new visitor experiences such as afterDARK and the Flora Explorer tours, together with new developments such as the Red Centre Garden.

The ecotourism category aims to recognise ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

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Volunteer honours

Commemorating International Volunteer Day, the Australian National Botanic Gardens along with special guest, Senator Zed Seselja paid tribute to the Gardens’ many volunteers with a special recognition ceremony.

Acknowledging the work and dedication of over 150 volunteers at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Senator Seselja said International Volunteer Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the difference volunteers make to the Gardens.

“Each volunteer is responsible for bringing these beautiful gardens to life and bringing joy to many Canberrans and the interstate and international guests who visit the Gardens each year,” Senator Seselja said.

“The Australian National Botanic Gardens is not just about a collection of Australian native plants, it’s about the connection the Gardens has with the community – and the volunteers are a vital part of that connection.

“This year the Gardens are celebrating all its dedicated volunteers, some of whom have generously given their time for 10, 15, even 20 years or more.”

Volunteers at the Australian National Botanic Gardens contribute to the successful running of many Gardens’ programs including daily guided walks, lunchtime talks, the Flora Explorer bus service, the annual concert series, student and community photographic competitions, seed collecting and plant propagation and sales.

Volunteers have been an integral part of the Gardens since it was first established in 1949.

The first official volunteer task commenced in 1985, with the production of the weekly information sheet In Flower This Week.

The Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens kicked off in 1990. In 1992 the Gardens formed the volunteer guide service and every year, some 2,200 visitors enjoy the free guided walks provided by volunteers.

“The volunteers bring a broad range of skills to support the role of the Gardens and approach their tasks with remarkable passion, commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism,” Senator Seselja said.

“They make an extraordinary contribution.”

To become a Friend of the Gardens, visit the Friends' website