The Gardens are located on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae NSW, between Newcastle and Raymond Terrace, in the NSW Hunter Valley.
The Gardens cover 125 hectares, including about 26 hectares of developed gardens and a bushland conservation area.
Most botanic gardens across Australia are developed and managed by state and local governments. The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is unique in that it is a large garden wholly managed, developed and maintained by volunteers. It was created around 39 years ago by passionate volunteers who believed that the unique flora of the Hunter Valley in NSW deserved to be represented, studied and conserved in a regional botanic garden. The Gardens is not a government institution, and it is managed and maintained through the support of its volunteers, sponsors and visitors.
The natural vegetation of the site consists of coastal sclerophyll forest dominated by blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) and rusty gum (Angophora costata). It is located on the Tomago Sandbeds, part of Newcastle’s drinking water catchment. When the Gardens was laid out, theme gardens, lawns and structures were located within the existing forest. This meant that the Gardens has benefited from the peace and grandeur of a mature forest setting since its earliest days.
The Gardens’ plant collections are focused on Australian plants, and particularly the plants of the Hunter Region, arranged in 24 themed gardens and display houses. Highlights include grevilleas, other Proteaceae, rainforest plants, ferns and orchids, plants used by Aboriginal people, and display gardens to show the use of native plants in a garden setting. There are a selection of exotic gardens, which feature succulents, bromeliads, palms, orchids and camellias.
The Gardens has a nursery growing plants for its own use and for sale, as well as taking part in native plant conservation programs, and an Herbarium with an extensive collection of regional plants. Community education programs, including programs for schools, operate throughout the year.
The Gardens is open to visitors daily and features a café, gift shop, plant stall and picnic areas. Special events are held throughout the year. Guided tours and groups visits should be booked in advance. The site is well suited to people with movement difficulties and transport in our people mover is available. As an organisation without government support, it is necessary for us to charge modest admission fees.
