14 Reasons To Visit Wollongong Botanic Garden
Wollongong Botanic Garden in Keiraville is one of our favourite spots to take the family for grabbing a coffee, going for a walk or just relaxing on a picnic blanket watching the world go by. There’s loads to do and see in these beautiful, relaxing grounds and wide, open spaces.
Here’s 14 reasons why the Wollongong Botanic Garden is worth a visit!
1 // IT’S FREE
Woohoo! We love places to go that don’t break the bank. Parking at the Botanic Garden is also free – double woohoo! It’s open 7 days from 7am (get that early morning walk in) until 5pm when it isn’t daylight saving. During daylight saving, it’s open until 6pm on weekdays and 6:45pm on weekends and public holidays.
2 // IT’S PERFECT FOR PICNICS
The beautiful, green lawns are the perfect place to settle in for an afternoon of eating and relaxing. Pack the picnic hamper, fill up the thermos with tea, grab a blanket and you’re good to go! Our fav spot is the Fig Lawn which is close to the Main Entry on Murphys Avenue and the All Abilities Playground.
Fig Lawn is a great spot for a picnic.
3 // SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
Keep kids busy during the school holidays with a range of interactive and hands-on activities for kids. Such a great way to teach kids about our natural environment and sustainability.
4 // FABULOUS ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND
A tactile and fun all-abilities playground is near the main entrance on Murphys Avenue. There’s a huuuuge sandpit, swings, slippery dip, climbing net, a maze and a viewing platform if you want to get a birds eye view of what the kids are up to!
The All Abilities Playground has a sandpit, maze, swings and more.
5 // YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF TO THE EDIBLE HERB GARDEN
There’s an edible herb garden along the southern wall of the playground filled with seasonal, herby deliciousness – think rosemary, chives, basil, parsley, mint –all the yummy stuff. And the best bit? You can help yourself!
6 // IT’S WHEELCHAIR AND PRAM FRIENDLY
A network of pathways around and through the beautiful gardens is suitable for wheelchair access and easy for pram-pushing parents and carers. Just follow the orange lines on the Garden Map. And a heads up, the best entry for wheelchairs is via Murphys Avenue (the main entry).
7 // BUY SOME NATIVE PLANTS
If you’ve spent the day wandering around the Botanic Garden and you’re inspired to spruce up your own garden, the Botanic Garden Greenplan Nursery opens to the public once a month. Mostly native plants are for sale, but you can also buy worm farms and compost bins, and the Friends of Wollongong Botanic Garden hold a stall there with a range of plants available to buy.
Buy plants for your own garden at the Botanic Garden Greenplan Nursery sale.
8 // IT’S THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR WEDDING PICS!
27 hectares of beautiful plants and manicured gardens, ponds and bridges mean there are loads of perfect spots to get those fab wedding photos done. There’s no paperwork to fill out and it’s free. How easy is that?
9 // SCULPTURE IN THE GARDEN
Every two years, sculptures and installations are displayed through the garden, with the winner ending up with a permanent spot. The 2023 event was their biggest exhibition yet, with 23 sculptures from local, national and international artists on display. And we are SO EXCITED it is on again throughout April 2025 with the most wonderful line up of artists exhibiting, along with a long list of special events on throughout the month with artists talks, walks and activities for kids. Find all the details here.
10 // GET YOUR STEPS UP FOR THE DAY
We love how there are so many pathways winding through all the amazing Garden Collections. Cool down in the Rainforest Collection, wander through the Woodlands Collection, take a rest in the Rose Garden, catch a fab pic on the Kawasaki Bridge near the Duck Pond or head to the northern part of the gardens to take in the Australian Open Forest and the Succulent Collection. We definitely got our steps up the day we went – well over 10,000!
So many paths to take and collections to explore at the Wollongong Botanic Garden.
11 // GET LOADS OF GARDENING IDEAS FROM THE DISCOVERY GARDEN
The Discovery Centre is where many workshops happen so you can take your gardening knowledge to the next level at the Education Centre and Towri Centre – lots of recycling, composting and sustainability ideas are on display.
12 // A WONDERFUL SPOT FOR A GOOD OL’ BARBEQUE
There are two free click-start BBQs near the All Abilities Playground with a herb garden nearby, in case you need any fresh parsley or other herbs. Please note you cannot bring your own gas, coal or fire BBQs though.
13 // GET YOUR LITERARY FIX WITH THE GARDEN LIBRARY BOOKCASES
We LOVE this idea. There are two Garden Library Bookcases – one near the Main Entry and one along the main path near the Flowering Trees and Shrubs Collection – for people to borrow, keep or leave a book for others to enjoy. Such a great idea!
14 // THE VIEW OF MOUNT KEIRA (AND FROM MOUNT KEIRA)
From wherever you are in the Wollongong Botanic Garden, if you look west, you’ll see Mount Keira watching over Wollongong. But did you know Wollongong Botanic Garden also manage Mount Keira Summit Park too – right on the top? We thoroughly recommend a drive or a walk up to this beautiful spot before or after you visit Wollongong Botanic Garden. The view is soooo worth it!
The view from Mount Keira Summit Park.
