Gather your botanica-loving friends and family: the Botanica Festival, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)’s annual celebration of the natural environment, sustainability and gardening, is returning on Sunday 18 May at the iconic Rippon Lea Estate.
Held in partnership with City of Glen Eira Council, Botanica brings together locals, young families, and nature enthusiasts to one of Victoria’s most majestic heritage-listed sites for a lush celebration of nature and gardening.
What’s on
– Guided tours of Rippon Lea’s heritage gardens and significant trees
– Thought-provoking panel discussion on climate change and heritage garden care, presented with the Heritage Council Victoria
– Bird tours showcasing the diverse species that call the estate home
– A huge plant sale featuring plants propagated by National Trust gardeners
– Flower arranging workshops with Melbourne Flower School (ticketed separately)
– Country Women’s Association scones, baked fresh and served with charm
– Orchid displays from the Southern Suburbs Orchid Society
– Locally crafted goods from Rose St. Market stalls
Plus plenty more to discover!
Proceeds go towards supporting the National Trust in conserving and protecting Victoria’s natural, cultural and built heritage.
Travel to Botanica by bike and receive a 10% discount voucher for the huge Botanica plant sale. Bike racks will be available at the entry point just within the main gates. Remember to bring your bike basket to get your plants back to home.
Botanica Festival – Panel Discussions
Join us at Botanica for a series of Panel Discussions, brought to you by Heritage Council Victoria, as part of the Australian Heritage Festival celebrations. Entry to the panel discussions are included with your entry ticket (limited seating available).
Climate Change Panel
A discussion on the impact of climate change in sustainably preserving our heritage.
Climate change is changing the shape of Victoria, including impacting our cultural heritage. By learning about these effects, we can take action to safeguard our irreplaceable heritage for future generations.
Protecting heritage is also a smart, sustainable way to reduce our environmental impact. Adapting, restoring and repurposing existing heritage places often uses fewer resources than new construction. Policymakers, organisations and custodians must work together to share knowledge and make the most of opportunities to protect our shared heritage.
Join a panel of experts at the Botanica Festival as they explore what the changing climate means for heritage and discuss sustainable strategies for its protection.
Panellists
- Ruth Redden, Architect & Heritage Consultant, RR Conservation Design (Moderator)
- Samantha Westbrooke, Executive Manager, Conservation & Advocacy, National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
- Tina Tam, Associate Principal, Lovell Chen
- Peter Elliott, Adjunct Professor of Practice, Faculty of Art Design & Architecture, Monash University
Heritage Gardens Panel
A discussion on the impact of climate change on our heritage gardens.
Hear from a panel of experts who’ve dug deep—literally—to preserve and nurture our green spaces. Discover their stories and why these gardens matter now more than ever in our changing and ever-warming world.
Join us at Botanica Festival to explore the rich history of Victoria’s heritage gardens!
Panellists
- Anna Foley (Moderator)
- Andrea Proctor
- Clare Hart
- Alice Crowe
- Justin Buckley
The Botanica Festival is supported by
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Rippon Lea House and Gardens