Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens at Heatherbrae, near Raymond Terrace cover an area of 140 hectares, much of which has been preserved as natural bushland. The Gardens have a Visitors Centre, outdoor cafe, gift shop and reference library. Devonshire teas and light lunches are served daily at the cafe or visitors can picnic in the gardens. Walks and excursions are organised regularly and there is a program of special events such as music in the gardens.

The gardens are constantly growing as new displays of Australian and introduced species are developed for recreational, educational and scientific purposes. Rare and endangered Australian species are also cultivated. Expert personal advice is available on plantings and propagation, and a large selection of plants and herbs can be purchased at low prices.

Easy walking trails provide access to the natural bushland with its mature forests and its under-storey of more than 150 native plants. The forests are the natural habitat of goannas, wallabies, lizards, brushtail and ringtail possums, sugar gliders, bats, a small group of resident koalas and many birds.

The development of the Gardens was recognised in 1999, with the winning of the 'Significant Regional Attraction' award in the Hunter Regional Awards for Excellence in Tourism. The Gardens was a finalist in these awards in 2000, and won Newcastle City Council Environmental Awards in 1999 and 2000.