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: 

$5 per student. This includes use of the Nature Discovery Centre.

For further details and bookings: 

Contact the Education Officer at schoolsCBG@gmail.com

Testimony

“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.”

“…the students absolutely loved the whole experience! Jaid was absolutely fantastic, so engaging and wonderful with the students. She really worked with their level of understanding and curiosity and made the tour and talk easy to participate in and dynamic, so she didn’t lose the children’s interest. The kids thought she was just amazing and our resident bird enthusiast was in heaven!” – Carlie Fairburn, Living School Australia

“The children were highly engaged and motivated. We all came away with a deeper appreciation of nature and the wonderment of the beautiful gardens… This was one of my favourite excursions with a group in my twenty-five years of teaching. I loved every aspect and can’t wait to revisit in the new year.” – Rachel Palmer, Micro Classes Australia