Spring School Holidays at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney

Across three awe-inspiring sites; Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, and Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, there's plenty to see, do and discover at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney during the upcoming spring school holidays!

From sunshine surprises to nocturnal adventures and whether you're after an ultra-engaging activity, the chance to browse the latest and greatest in the plant world and beyond, or an educational program that will immerse your little explorers in nature, the Botanic Gardens of Sydney has got you well and truly covered. 

What's On at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney this Spring School Holiday

Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

A jaw-dropping paper daisy display has taken over the Connections Garden at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, offering the perfect opportunity to show kids what plant power really looks like—through an iconic floral display spanning a whopping 2000 square metres. Knowledgeable tour guides present an unmissable chance to engage kids in nature and all things plant life during the spring school holidays.

There are a range of programs and activities on offer to well and truly captivate nature-loving children. In addition to Sunset Spotlight Tours, where families adventure into the world of the Garden's nighttime neighbours, the Gardens are also running their ever-popular Wild Detectives school holiday program—where curious explorers will put their detective hats on as they embark on their action-packed wild discovery mission uncovering the hidden world of plants and animals at the Garden.
And if you're keen to hone your green thumb at home, visit the daily Growing Friends Plant Sales; where you can shop for a great range of native plants propagated by skilled volunteers from the Garden's living collection! 

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

The ultimate haven in the heart of the city, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is brimming with activities and reasons to visit during the spring school holidays. Check out the ellaslist-reviewed-and-approved Love Your Nature Exhibit at the stunning Calyx and snap the ultimate family photo (seriously, backdrops don't get much better than this!). Follow it up with a visit to the calm, cool tranquility of Leaf Cafe, or for something a little more structured, outdoorsy kids will absolutely love Frog Friendzy—where you'll learn all about frog habitats and gather plenty of inspiration to create your very own using eco-friendly materials and a plant that frogs adore.

There's also the chance to learn about Indigenous bush foods and how these foods were used traditionally and adapted to the modern plate and palate on an Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, or try your hand at First Nations Eco Dyeing; a creative pursuit that's sure to capture your child's imagination. 

A Sunset Spotlight Tour is sure to enthrall the whole family, and if your kids are game, the Ghostly Garden Tour is for those who dare to explore the spooky side of the Gardens at night; promising a journey along shadowy tree-lined paths as kids try to spot bats, owls, and reptiles. Hear spooky and kooky stories of the past and visit the Garden’s oldest haunted houses for an after-dark experience the whole family will remember forever. Or, if a daylight walk is more up your alley—try the stunning Spring Walk through the original 1816 part of the Garden and witness how the garden's most enduring horticultural display has entranced generations of Sydneysiders.

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah

Kids will love taking part in the Mount Tomah iteration of Frog Friendzy during the school holidays; the ultimate activity to keep them outdoors and learning in a fun, playful way. And, if you want to make a full day of it (and we sure do!), why not try Wild Wollemi Garden in the afternoon; where you can explore the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden's most prehistoric plant with a botanical expert, then design and paint your own unique plant pot as you learn how to nurture your very own take-home Wollemi Pine in this engaging workshop.

The beautiful Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is known for its abundance of jaw-dropping nature walks; so ditch the screens and get ready to explore the Gardens at your own pace. Our picks for families would be the Plant Explorer Walk; a windy, shaded walk that tells the stories of 14 intrepid plant hunters and their adventures—botanists who often risked their lives and endured hardship in the pursuit of rare and beautiful plant trophies. The Lady Fairfax Trail is another gorgeous choice; a peaceful walk through Blue Mountains Basalt Cap Forest.

Pack your own picnic and enjoy it amongst the stunning grounds, or check out the Tomah Cafe — the perfect spot to recharge with coffee and plenty of mouthwatering bites on the menu, sourced from fresh, local ingredients.

We know where we'll be hanging out during the school holidays, that's for sure! 

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