THE Hunter Region Botanic Gardens celebrated four decades as the region’s “horticultural heaven” on Sunday, 24 May.
The 40-year milestone was celebrated on Botanic Gardens Day, commemorated annually in late May to highlight the importance of plants and ongoing conservation efforts.
To commemorate the occasion, the volunteer-run Gardens in Heatherbrae opened its doors to visitors for free, hosting free educational talks, walks, and even tours of the usually closed herbarium, accompanied by food and entertainment.
Bonsai-making, apiculture, birds, succulents, weeds and rainforests were among the topics visitors could learn about on the day.
Opened in 1986, the continued success of the facility has only been possible thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers and generous support from the community.
Kevin Stokes, founding member and longest serving volunteer at the Gardens, recounted during the event how the project came to be, covering its inception, protection of the Tomago sand beds, and the many challenges the facility has faced.
“It hasn’t always been an easy journey,” recounted Mr Stokes.
Throughout the years, the Gardens has faced sand miners, vicious storms, fires, road construction, and even the scepticism of some community members.
Today however, the future looks bright.
During the event, Patron and Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts announced the establishment of a “Future Fund” for the Gardens.
“Our goal is to raise around $10 million, and with that to be able to build a bigger, more commercially useful food area, and also have enough money to pay three full time employees,” Professor Roberts said.
“That would let us go forward in raising more money to develop particular aspects of these wonderful gardens.”
Forty years on from inception, the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is now at the forefront of conservation and research.
In 2025, the Gardens received a $150,000 grant from the NSW Environmental Trust to study the 700 types of fungi growing in the herbarium, a project that will build a DNA-verified fungal reference library available all across Australia.
“It’s a very rare thing for a botanic garden to get such an Environmental Trust grant,” said Professor Roberts.
“This outstanding achievement recognises us as a serious centre for conservation science, education and regional environmental leadership.”
The Hunter’s only Botanic Gardens feature more than 30 hectares of tranquil landscaped gardens displaying the beauty and diversity of Australian native flora.
There are more than 3,000 living specimens in a natural bush setting with eight kilometres of easy tracks and trails. Theme gardens include natives (grevillea, acacia, hakeas, ferns) and exotics (orchids, bromeliads and an amazing succulent and cacti garden).
Run by volunteers, the gardens also protects 100 hectares of land in the Tomago sand beds catchment area, including two wetland habitats.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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