For our next outing, we will be visiting the Hunter Botanic Gardens, Pacific Highway Heatherbrae on Friday 14th November. You may recall this outing was scheduled for 2nd term but had to be aborted due to severe storms and subsequent damage to the gardens and surrounding structures. 

As it could well be a warm day, it is suggested we meet up at opening time (9.00am) and wander off straight away to explore along the many paths at your leisure, with cameras/phones ‘at the ready’. Then at around 10.30/10.45am, return to the cafe for morning tea and a catch-up. After the break and for those who want to continue, time to investigate along those paths not covered earlier, leaving at your own time.

These local award-winning gardens are managed and maintained by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis for the enjoyment and education of locals and visitors from near and far. They cover some 125 hectares, most of which is preserved as natural bushland. The rest has been developed into gardens featuring Australian and introduced theme areas containing the likes of acacias, banksias, ferns, bush tucker plants, succulents and palms. Many of these plants are suitable for home gardens, with some available for purchase from the plant stall. Details of our visit as follows;

When:  Friday 14th November 2025

Where: Hunter Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae

Time:    Meet at 9.00am

Cost:    $5.00 pp Entry, M/Tea at own expense

On entering the car park, a boom gate will close behind you. Proceed to the Visitor Centre/Cafe to pay your entry fees, and receive a car park exit token. The Gardens are wheelchair and walker friendly. Don’t forget your sunscreen/mozzie repellent, and wear a hat and comfy walking shoes.

Please click here to download the attendance form, complete it and submit. This is most important, as we need to know who is attending for numerous reasons including Club insurance, your contact details for the day, advising the Gardens Cafe of numbers for staffing/catering etc. If you have indicated your intention to attend, and then are unable to come, please advise me by phone so I can adjust numbers with the Cafe staff for our booking.

Let’s do ‘our bit’ for another not-for-profit organization – see you there.

Brenton Elsey
Social Secretary
0438 997 310