COME ICE SKATING THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS! 6 yrs and under $17 • 7 yrs + $22 • Seniors $18 Family $70 (1 adult + 3 kids OR 2 adults + 2 kids) Prices include Skate Hire
230 Macquarie Road Warners Bay 02 4954 4499 www.hiss.com.au
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Hunter Region Botanic Gardens The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens has been at Heatherbrae since 1985 and covers 125 hectares of land, and is the only botanic gardens in the region. Thirty hectares are under developed gardens, with the rest set aside for conservation, where an abundance of birds and other wildlife abound. The Gardens are predominantly focused on native plants from the Hunter Region but also host a range of over 25 specialty gardens, from bromeliads and orchids to camellias and ferns. The succulent garden is one of the largest collections in a public garden in the southern hemisphere. 70
Like most botanic gardens, there is also a scientific focus and there is a comprehensive herbarium housing collections of the local flora, as well as an extensive library collection. The Gardens are heavily involved with the conservation of local rare and endangered plant species and work closely with NPWS and the Save Our Species program. Through these associations the Gardens is able to propagate rare and endangered plant species as an insurance population or for translocation back to the wild. There are many events held every month at the Gardens so there is always something new to see and do. Enjoy a guided walk with one of the experienced guides or, for those less-mobile, take a ride on the 7-seater ‘people mover’. School holiday programs are popular
and include lots of different activities. School visits are also welcome and they specialise in teaching about indigenous foods on their Gundabooka Walk. As you walk around these beautiful Gardens please keep in mind that there is not even one paid gardener! The whole of the Gardens are maintained by teams of dedicated volunteers (200 of them). From weddings to film shoots, Teddy Bear’s Picnics to Spring Fairs, family gatherings to specialised walks and talks, and everything in between, there is a space for every event at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens. Why not visit them at 2100 Pacific Hwy, Heatherbrae. For opening times visit www.huntergardens.org.au.
