VISIT

Visit
HUNTER REGION BOTANIC GARDENS
2100 Pacific Highway | Heatherbrae, NSW 2324 

Opening Hours

9.00 am to 4.00 pm – 7 Days
Closed for Christmas and Easter breaks

Getting There

• On the Pacific Highway between Newcastle and Raymond Terrace
• Just north of the Hexham Bridge
• 30 min. drive from Newcastle & Maitland
• 40 min. drive from Lake Macquarie
• 2 hour drive from Sydney

ENTRY FEES APPLY
Entry fees are payable for all visitors except for Members and Volunteers

GARDENS EXPERIENCE: 
$5 per person or Family Package $10
Stay all day, explore our beautiful gardens and grounds and orchid houses and use all of our facilities including the picnic areas and BBQ

PIT STOP OR SHORT STAY
$3 per person or Family Package $7
For those who haven't the time to explore our gardens and grounds but just need a break from driving with a coffee and snack and to use the bathrooms.

COACH PASSENGERS
$5 per person

CHILDREN: 
Children 3 years and under are free 

PARKING IS FREE FOR ALL VISITORS
When you enter the carpark, the automatic boomgate will lock behind you. Then proceed to the Visitor Centre to pay your entry fees and receive your carpark exit token.
 
DOGS AND OTHER PETS 
Pets of any kind are not permitted within the Botanic Gardens or its immediate surrounds. However, assistance dogs are welcome although must be leashed at all times.

COVID - 19 UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2022

Vaccination requirements and QR code check-ins have been removed. Masks are optional inside the Visitor Centre and other buildings. 

Please practice good hygiene during your visit, including:

* cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
* dispose of tissues properly
* wash your hands often with soap and water,
* use hand sanitisers
* if you are sick, stay home or at least avoid contact with others
* clean and sanitise frequently used objects such as phones

For the latest updates regarding the COVID-19 virus in New South Wales visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

FIND US
ACCESSIBILITY
The Gardens is an accessible venue for people with a disability.

Vehicular access and parking for disabled drivers and vehicles with disabled passengers are available.

A brick paved pathway suitable for wheelchair access follows the major route through the Gardens and provides access to the majority of theme gardens. A wheelchair can also be borrowed from the Visitor Centre.

People with disabilities can also participate in guided tours, including in the people mover. Tours can be tailored to suit people with limited mobility or limited vision. It is recommended that people with special needs book tours in advance.

The Visitors Centre and Kookaburra Cafe are both accessible to people with disabilities, and disabled toilets are provided.
KOOKABURRA CAFÉ & GIFT SHOP
• Open 7 days, 9.00 am to 3.00 pm
• A selection of fresh and homemade dishes including Devonshire scones with fresh jam
• Our famous Thai sweet potato and pumpkin soup
• Fresh sandwiches
• Fresh cakes and slices
• Freshly ground Segafredo coffee
• Group bookings welcome with menu selection available
• BBQ facility available on request
• A selection of beautiful settings available for your wedding or special occasion in the gardens
• Guided tours are available if booked in advance

Come in and experience our friendly volunteer service while you browse through our gift shop and plant stall.
GUIDED TOURS
Our volunteers enjoy showing the gardens to visitors and providing information about the botanical collections and the Gardens' bushland environment.

Group Tours and Educational Excursions can be booked at the Visitor Centre and provide such options as the Koori Walk, Plants in Place, Plants Galore. Special tours can be organised for tour groups.

A generic tour of the theme gardens is very popular with visiting social club groups and covers the history of the site and introductions to the theme gardens along the Botanical Walk, originally sponsored by Newcastle City Council. This tour will give you a glimpse of the extent of our gardens.

Tours are offered on foot or in our People Mover, which is an excellent option for mobility-impaired people.

Night walks are organised throughout the year which provide an opportunity for visitors to discover the nocturnal birds and wildlife. Visitors may encounter koalas, ringtail and brushtail possums, sugar gliders and various night birds. The dates of night walks are listed in our events guide.
TOUR FEES
• Guided Tours - $10.00 per person
• Children 4-12 years (accompanied by an adult) - $5 per child
• School Groups - $5.00 per child 
Tour bus or coach passengers - $10.00 per person
• People Mover - $10.00 per person
• Night Walk - $20 per person or $40 for a family of four
• Wheelchair Hire - FREE

Note: Entry fees also apply to visitors participating in guided tours.
 
It is advisable to book guided tours at least 2 weeks in advance.

CONTACT THE GARDENS
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