National Science Week - Community Day

Celebrate National Science Week at Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Be amazed by the wonders of nature and plant science.

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Location

Plantbank, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

Date

16 August 2025

Time

10am – 3pm 

Price

Free – Register now

Register now
Duration

5 hours

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Discover a world of science at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

We're inviting all nature lovers to come and celebrate National Science Week, Saturday, 16 August 2025 and experience our ground breaking work like never before.

Start your adventure with one of our exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours led by our knowledgeable Science and Horticulture teams. 

Explore PlantBank, the National Herbarium of New South Wales, and our plant nursery, as you engage in hands-on workshops, family-friendly walks, and tours led by our experts.

Do you have what it takes to discover a new species? Join our Science and Horticulture teams to unlock the secrets of your mystery seeds! Collect stamps for your passport by completing activities and answering the following questions with our Garden teams. Completed passports can be submitted for a chance to win a School Holiday Golden Ticket, providing a family pass to all our School Holiday offerings from Spring 2025 to Winter 2026.

Bring the youngest scientists of your family to participate in our thrilling Secret Species Challenge and see how much you can learn about the diverse flora and fauna, taking home your very own seeds to grow at home. 

Each activity is designed to highlight the vital role the Botanic Gardens of Sydney and our supporters like the Campbelltown Arts Centre and the FrogID team play in protecting nature as well as learn how you can make a difference at home.

Why not make a day of it, and bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn opposite the Herbarium which will have picnic rugs, umbrellas and lawn games set up. Food and drinks will also be available to purchase from the Rotoract sausage sizzle, ice cream truck and coffee van.

This fantastic event is suitable for all ages, and is free to attend. Make sure you register to secure your spot.

Register now
 

Free activities on the day

ProgramTime (s) DescriptionLocation  
Endangered Ecosystem Bushwalk10.30am and 1.15pmBushwalk through the Cumberland Plain Woodland.Living Lab                                               
Behind the Scenes Nursery Tour11.45am and 2.15pmJourney through all-access tour of our Nursery. PlantBank
Behind the Scenes PlantBank Lab Tour10.30am, 11.30am, 1.15pm, 2.15pmDiscover the inner workings of the Australian SeedBank. Note: Participants must be 16+. PlantBank
Mindful Bushwalk11.30am and 1.15pmAwaken your senses on a journey along our hidden boardwalks.Living Lab
Herbarium Tour10.15am, 11.00am, 11.45am, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pmLearn about the specialist design features and how the collection is used by researchers all around the world.PlantBank
Nature Journal Workshop10.30am and 2.15pmLearn to connect with your surroundings around the Herbarium of NSW.PlantBank
Frog Identification Walk10.30am and 2.15pmJoin a frog walk and learn how you can contribute to this award-winning citizen science initiative. Living Lab
Meet the ScientistsAll DayOur experts will guide you through their research with exciting hands-on activities. Acacia Theatre
Meet the HorticulturistsAll DayCreate your own seed-growing kit with our expert horticulture team. PlantBank
PlantBank Lab ExperienceAll DayMeet the SeedBank team and start your own seed experiments. Persoonia Lab
First Nations Journey of a SeedAll DayCraft your own clay coolamon with our First Nations team.Living Lab
Spring Holiday TasterAll DayDrop in for a taster of our upcoming Spring holiday activities.Living Lab
Toddler Play SpaceAll DayTry hands on garden activities and crafts.Living Lab
Australian Museum FrogIDAll DayLearn how you can contribute to this award-winning citizen science initiative.  Living Lab
Campbelltown Arts CentreAll DayJoin Aunty Susan Grant for a beautiful gum leaf decoration workshop.Livistona Room
Sustainability HubAll DayDiscover sustainability efforts led by our partner organisations. PlantBank

The Australian Museum will be hosting their Community Day on Saturday 9 August 2025. You can see the full program here.

The Sydney Science Trail is presented by Australian Museum and Botanic Gardens of Sydney. 

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