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What to see

As our garden grows, there will be more to see.

The garden is a vast 15 hectares, some of which is within a fenced area and some is outside the fence.

The major developed garden area is within the fenced space. As you wander along the established pathways, you will come across all sorts of things of interest.

Foundation Walk

The first planting undertaken in the gardens. It represents what our gardens are all about, with a collection of crab apples representing the seasons, a stand of Cabbage gums endemic to the botanic gardens site, culminating in the landmark native Bunya Bunya tree planted by NSW Governor in 2010.

Sculptures

Scattered through the garden are some sculptures. John Olsen’s sculpture, Leaping Frog, is located in Foundation Walk. Other sculptures include Wings of Love, dedicated to SHBG Founding members Tony Davis and Maureen Purtell. Tony is also the breeder of the National Daffodil collection located in the birch grove.

Nursery

The nursery has an eclectic range of hardy plants for your own Highlands garden, many of which are featured growing throughout the gardens. All plants are grown by Friends of the gardens and change according to the seasons. Many rare or collectible plants are featured in the nursery.

Oak Rondell

An area sponsored by the Page family, featuring a circle of narrow upright oaks and weeping boxwoods, with inscribed pavers remembering locals, family members and visitors to the garden. Just perfect for you to sit and reflect.

Playground

The Playground has been designed with younger children in mind. Lots of fun interactive items including the playhouse, swings for toddlers, a climbing pyramid and the list goes on. Fully fenced with a shade sail for protection from the summer sun.

Picnic Shelters

The two picnic shelters both have wheelchair accessible tables. The all weather roof makes it a perfect spot to relax with your lunch or morning coffee and look at the maples, the dwarf dogwoods with their distinctive red stems and the bird sanctuary.

Birch Grove

A registered national collection, with This large collection of over 20 different types of silver birch trees, under planted with another national collection – Tony Davis daffodils. Wander through the grove in the cool of summer, the autumn dappled light or the early spring when the daffodils are in flower or in autumn with the stunning dahlias.

Winter Garden

Seasons in a cool climate is a theme of our gardens. The winter garden displays plants with winter and early spring interest, including the national dwarf dogwood collection with vibrant coloured stems. The dogwoods are often thronging with flocks of tiny Blue Fairy wrens, Eastern spinebills and Thornbills.