Field Trips will be offered on Tuesday 4 November 2025
You can book your field trips when you register to attend the BGANZ Congress
(additional fees will apply for Day Registrants who would also like to attend a Field Trip)
Forest to the sea: Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden and Murramarang National Park
Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden (ERBG) displays the fascinating flora of the beautiful New South Wales South Coast with a collecting region that extends from Nowra in the north to the Victorian border in the south. The 42 ha site has almost 10 km of walking trails that meander through the arboretum, themed gardens, natural forest and a creative children’s playspace. The garden is a haven for local wildlife and features the Aboriginal Heritage Trail, a walk that focusses on the importance of plants to the local Yuin people. ERBG has made a remarkable recovery following intense bushfires in the summer of 2019/20, including re-design and build of most infrastructure. This field trip will tour the stunning ERBG, with visits to the specialist fern nursery Verdigris, which propagates many threatened native fern species, and an afternoon visit to the spectacular Depot Beach at Murramarang National Park.
Australian Alpine region: Namadgi National Park
Canberra is the closest major city to Australia’s incredible alpine regions. Namadgi National Park, on Ngunnawal Country, supports over 100,000 hectares of alpine and sub-alpine communities including high altitude sphagnum bogs which provide critical habitat for endangered species. However, in early 2020, bushfires burnt over 80% of the park. The Australian National Botanic Gardens, with partners, have supported holistic conservation action from field surveys through to establishing ex situ plant and seed collections. This field trip will explore diverse and unique alpine and subalpine communities and showcase the role of botanic gardens in collaborative recovery efforts.
Local tours: Australian National Botanic Gardens and National Institutions
Spend the day exploring Canberra's icons, starting with the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Options include walking tours and small group tours on the electric bus, the Flora Explorer. Experience Australia’s unique floral heritage, from the red centre to the tropics. This tour will showcase the world’s largest collection of Australian native flora, including special collections, conservation efforts, and public programs. Visits to Australia’s National Institutions such as the National Arboretum and Parliament House will showcase all things horticultural, along with a visitor engagement and education focus.
We acknowledge Australia's First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We respectfully acknowledge the role that First Nations people continue to play in shaping Australia's democracy. We also acknowledge the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the region in which The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is located.