The Southern Highlands Botanic Garden is a 15-hectare regional botanic garden located at Bowral in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. It is a cool climate garden, which displays both exotic and native flora.

The garden was established in 2010 and is still being developed, primarily by volunteers, as this is a community based botanic garden that is self-funded without regular government funding. The master plan was developed by TCL (Taylor Cullity Lethlean). The garden’s theme is ‘Seasons in a cool climate’ and consequently the garden’s exotic area is themed accordingly.

The garden holds four national collections including the silver birch collection of 24 species and cultivars, the Tony Davis daffodil collection, a Buxus collection of 22 species and cultivars, and a dwarf dogwood collection of 12 species and cultivars. We are also developing a collection of Carpinus (Hornbeam), magnolia and oak.

Highlights of our garden are the Louisa Atkinson Walk, the extensive Birch Grove, Growing Friends Plant Nursery, a grove of endangered Eucalyptus macarthurii, Rondel, Education Room, playground, grass labyrinth and the John Olsen Leaping Frog sculpture. The garden is easily accessible along our gravel pathways to the covered picnic settings, well-positioned garden benches and all the other points of interest.

We hold many regular events including working bees every Tuesday and Thursday, annual Autumn Garden and Plant Fair Weekend, plant sales from our nursery, workshops, a Kite Flying Workshop, school education visits, open days and many stand-alone activities.

Visit https://shbg.com.au/ for details.