What we do
Inspiring, informing and connecting people with the Australian flora.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens displays the world’s largest collection of Australian native plants. Our living collection comprises more than 4,300 plant species from all parts of the country - one third of all Australian species.
Nestled in the foothills of Black Mountain, the Gardens is a place for recreation, inspiration, conservation, science and learning. Through our Living Plant Collections and the National Seed Bank, the Gardens safeguards threatened species for the future.
A place to visit
Themed plantings offer visitors a fantastic introduction to Australia’s habitats and plant diversity. Plants are grouped by geographic origins ranging from the rainforests of the coast to the iconic landscapes of Australia’s Red Centre, or with members of their botanical families. Inviting lawns and winding paths provide space to relax, explore and connect to nature in the heart of Australia’s capital city.
A place of science and conservation
The National Seed Bank holds more than 8,000 individual seed collections from almost 4,000 species, including 139 threatened species. The purpose of the National Seed Bank is to protect against plant extinction and build knowledge of the Australian flora through integrated collecting, storage, and research on germplasm.
The Gardens also cultivates plants threatened in the wild, creating insurance populations to protect species against extinction and facilitate research.
The Australian National Herbarium, with over 1.2 million specimens, is responsible for the scientific integrity of the Gardens’ plant labelling and manages the national plant name lists for Australia’s botanical community. The Herbarium is part of the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, which is jointly managed by CSIRO and the Director of National Parks with strong links to the Gardens.
