School Visits
The garden offers a variety of indoor and outdoor classroom activities for schools – with self-guided and guided field study options. School groups can base themselves at the new Nature Discovery Centre (70 metres from the entrance, small fee applies), or on the front lawn by the stage/pavilion just inside the entrance (for free), or at the expansive picnic area by Coffs Creek (100 metres from the entrance, for free).
Parking for buses is available along Coff Street after groups are dropped off at the garden entrance inside the carpark. There are toilets at the entrance and a drinking water refill fountain.
We have a cafe “The Leaf & Bean”. If you have a sizeable group and are likely to want to eat at the cafe, please let them know in advance to ensure we order enough supplies to accommodate you. coffsleafandbean@outlook.com or phone 0486 040 169
NATURE DISCOVERY CENTRE
The Nature Discovery Centre is a new learning space, opened in May 2025, for school field trips, community workshops and other educational events. There is space inside for about 25 people seated, and for another 30 in the outdoor learning area around the building. The Centre is a 70 metre walk from the garden entrance.
The Centre is also equipped with resources to inspire curiosity and to enable interaction with plants and nature in the botanic garden. The indoor space offers a nature museum, field guides, posters and picture books to assist the learning outside.
Around the building is an outdoor learning space for hands on activities to learn about native food, fibre and habitat plants. The two discovery walks featured in the Education Kits ‘Our Habitat Our Home’ and “Art in Nature – Shapes’ can be done from the centre. These kits, with the guide notes, may be downloaded for free from our Learning Resources Page.
Laminated copies of the photo sets of the discovery walks in the education kits can be borrowed from the Information Centre at the entrance for free.
Schools and not-for-profit education/community groups can hire the Nature Discovery Centre for self-organised activities. The building is not available for private functions such as weddings. All hire fee proceeds support the garden and educational programs.
Hire Fees for self-organised activities:
For half day or 3 hour block: (9am to 12noon, 12.30-3.30pm): $50
For a Full day: $80
To check availability and book: Submit this online booking form.
GUIDED PROGRAMS AND FIELD STUDIES
Schools and educational/community groups can also book a guided program which includes the hire of the Nature Discovery Centre.
These guided programs include the circuit walks featured in the Education Kits: “Our Habitat, Our Home’ and ‘Art in Nature – Shapes’ as well as a range of other field study activities such as: ‘From Little Things, Big Things Grow’, “Sustainable Soils’, ‘Lets Go Buggin’, ‘Beaks, Feet and Feather’.
Guided programs cost:
$10 per student (minimum group cost: $150). This includes the use of the Nature Discovery Centre as a base for learning for either a half or full day.
NSW Education Department Risk Assessment Information for Excursions can be found here
For further details and bookings:
Contact the Education Officer at schoolsCBG@gmail.com
Bookings must be made at least two weeks prior.
“Every year I visit with my Horticulture class from Trenayr Tafe, it is always a highlight of the teaching year. Students always love it, and we all really appreciate this opportunity. Such a fantastic spot to learn. Thank you.”
Nicole Stautner, Horticulture Class Teacher.