canberra arboretum tours

• National Arboretum

Ngala Tours - Discovery Tour

Ngala tours – a new way to explore the arboretum.

Take a 40 minute guided bus tour of the highlights of the National Arboretum Canberra. Your friendly Guide will share the stories of the forests while you enjoy spectacular photo opportunities from one of Canberra’s best lookouts. Journey around the Arboretum’s rare, endangered and significant forests and discover the unique '100 forests, 100 gardens' designs and award-winning buildings.

Discovery Tour

Duration: 40 minutes

Wednesday - Friday

Departs: 1.00pm

Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays

Departs: 1.00pm and 2.30pm

Price type: Infant: free Child/ concession $5 Adult $10 Family A (1A, 2C) $15 Family B (2A, 2C) $25

Suitable for all ages.

Booking are essential: BOOK HERE or at the Information Desk in the Village Centre.

Bookings close 50min prior to departure.

Ngala Tours are proudly sponsored by the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra.

View Ngala Tours Terms and Conditions HERE

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Ngala Tours at the National Arboretum Canberra

Things to do molonglo valley , canberra , australian capital territory.

Ngala Tours – A new way to explore the Arboretum!

Discover the National Arboretum Canberra as you take a forty-minute guided bus ‘Discovery Tour’ around the Arboretum, or join their Indigenous Visitor Services Officer for one of their immersive cultural tours.

Ngala means ‘Any tree’ in the local Ngunnawal language.

Ngala Tours are proudly sponsored by the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra.

From $5 to $25

Take a 40-minute guided bus tour with one of their friendly guides and learn the stories of the forests, enjoying two viewing stops with spectacular photo opportunities.

Book up to two months in advance online or at the Information Desk in the Village Centre. Bookings close 50 minutes prior to departure.

Suitable for all ages. Babies 12 months and under travel free on laps.

Disabled Access

From $50 to $60

Join an Indigenous Tourism Officer for a guided walk and talk around the forests of the Arboretum and see native plants that are used for medicinal, culinary and cultural use. This walk will bring the landscape to life allowing you to gain a deeper respect and understanding for Aboriginal Traditions and Culture.

Be guided in the use of boomerangs, stone axes, coolamons and skins and learn the cultural science behind how these tools work and how boomerangs fly. Hear why Caring for Country is so vital and continues to play a significant role in Culture today.

These immersive and enjoyable tours are a relaxing way to learn about Aboriginal Culture in a beautiful bush setting.

Join Indigenous Tourism Officer, Richard Allan, a Ngunnawal, Bunjalung, Gamilaroi man, who has expertise in tools, artefacts and art. He will share his knowledge and lead you for an immersive, boomerang workshop which is an impactful way to gain an appreciation of tools and artefacts that have been around 20,000 years.

Understand the science behind the boomerang and learn about its rich history. You will build, sculpt and decorate your own boomerang using ochre an aboriginal paint to take home with you. Learn the Traditional technique on how to fly this ancient Indigenous artefact.

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National Arboretum Canberra

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National Arboretum

Canberra's National Arboretum is an ever-developing showcase of trees from around the world, with 94 forests of different species currently on site. It is early days for many of the plantings, but it's still worth visiting for the spectacular visitor center and the excellent views over the city. Regular guided tours are informative, and there is a brilliant adventure playground for kids.

The parking lot is paid. Admission to the park and guided tours are free.

Forest Dr. Weston Creek

Get In Touch

02-6207 8484

https://​www​.nationalarboretum​.act​.gov​.au​/

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Self-Guided Program

Teacher to Student Ratio

Evening Program

National arboretum.

Discover one of Canberra’s top tourist destinations, with spectacular views over the city.

Visit the National Arboretum’s Village Centre, POD Playground, themed gardens and National Bonsai and Penjing Collection.

Join our passionate staff for Australian Curriculum based programs linking into sustainability, science and geography.

The National Arboretum is a collection of 44,000 rare, endangered and symbolic trees from around the world planted across a250-hectare site, with over 20 kilometres  of multi-purpose tracks.

This unique collection provides Students and Teachers an opportunity to learn about conservation, ecology and the vital importance to the world’s environment of trees and forest systems.

We offer facilitated forest walks, programs and indigenous cultural experiences for pre‑booked Preschool to Year 12 students.

Orienteering (as a daytime or evening activity)is a great way to take advantage of the wide open spaces at the Arboretum, challenging Students to work together to read maps and strategically search for markers

All Bookings via  bookcanberraexcursions.com.au

© National Capital Educational Tourism Project / Canberra Excursions 2020 :: Credits

Honest tourism information about Australia

Canberra Aboriginal tours: Bush tucker and art at the National Arboretum

• David Whitley

The National Arboretum in Canberra offers two Aboriginal-guided tours, with focuses on bush tucker and art. There’s also an Indigenous art workshop.

The National Arboretum in Canberra is one of the best places to get to know Australian flora. There are more than 44,000 rare and endangered trees growing across the 250 hectare site in the Molonglo Valley.

There’s plenty to do at the National Arboretum, with walking and biking trails to explore, a big playground for kids and a sculpture gallery. But the newest addition to the roster of activities is a series of Aboriginal-guided tours.

Canberra Aboriginal tours at the National Arboretum

These Canberra Aboriginal tours at the National Arboretum come in three flavours. The Walk on Country Tour is a guided walk around the Arboretum’s Bush Tucker Garden and Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park. It focuses on the native plants used for culinary, medicinal and cultural purposes. There are some bush tucker tastings on the way round. These Aboriginal-guided walks last one hour and cost $60.

The Discover Art and Country Tour visits the National Arboretum’s scenic and cultural sites with a visit to the neighbouring Burrunju Aboriginal Art Gallery. This is the only Indigenous-owned art gallery in Canberra, and the tour is a great chance to understand Aboriginal art styles and history. These Canberra Aboriginal tours last one-and-a-half hours and cost $70.

Aboriginal art workshops in Canberra

Perhaps most fun, however, is the Art on Country Workshop. These once-a-month art workshops are led by an Indigenous artist. The idea is to use the Arboretum landscape as storytelling inspiration, then use charcoal, ochre and acrylics to create your own masterpiece. On the way, you’ll learn about the natural materials and plant dyes used in traditional Aboriginal painting.

These Canberra Aboriginal art workshops last three hours and cost $125. For further information on all three Canberra Aboriginal tours, visit the National Arboretum website .

Other things to do in Canberra include walking to the Mount Ainslie Lookout , steering a Go Boat around Lake Burley-Griffin and taking a free tour of Parliament House .

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• National Arboretum Canberra

Best Trails in National Arboretum Canberra

Top trails (15)

• National Arboretum Canberra Loop Moderate • 4.4 ( 113 ) #1 - National Arboretum Canberra Loop National Arboretum Canberra Length: 6.9 mi • Est. 2h 43m A fantastic trail showcasing the National Arboretum Canberra - voted Canberra's Top Tourist Attraction in 2019. This is a looped route that begins and ends from the main parking area of the Arboretum at the end of Forest Drive which can be accessed directly from the Tuggeranong Parkway. This trail explores a good majority of trails within the 250 hectare site, where 44,000 rare and endangered trees are planted. The trails themselves are a well maintained mix of single file tracks and fire...
• Explorer Track Easy • 4.2 ( 90 ) #2 - Explorer Track National Arboretum Canberra Length: 4.7 mi • Est. 1h 43m This is a fantastic trail through the National Arboretum Canberra - voted Canberra's Top Tourist Attraction in 2019. This is a looped route that begins and ends from the main parking area of the Arboretum at the end of Forest Drive, which can be accessed directly from the Tuggeranong Parkway. The Explorer Track takes you on a journey through a world of trees in the southern forests of the Arboretum! You'll see some trees that are extinct in the wild, some research forests, some habitat trees...
• Dairy Farmers Hill Track Easy • 4.7 ( 50 ) #3 - Dairy Farmers Hill Track National Arboretum Canberra Length: 1.4 mi • Est. 34m The National Arboretum Canberra features 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from around Australia and the world. Many of the trees are still young, but two of the forests are over 100 years old. Over 44,000 trees from over 100 countries are growing across the huge 250-hectare (618-acre) site, making it one of the world's largest living collections of rare, endangered and significant trees. This walk-up Dairy Farmers Hill takes you to one of Canberra’s most famous lookouts,...
• Himalayan Cedar Track Easy • 4.4 ( 40 ) #4 - Himalayan Cedar Track National Arboretum Canberra Length: 1.3 mi • Est. 31m This is a beautiful trail through the National Arboretum Canberra - voted Canberra's Top Tourist Attraction in 2019. This looped route begins and ends from the main parking area at The Village Centre of the Arboretum at the end of Forest Drive, which can be accessed directly from the Tuggeranong Parkway. The trail takes you from the Village Centre to the huge 100-year-old Himalayan Cedars. You'll pass some of the most colourful trees in Spring and autumn, as well as the Wide Brown Land...
• Mountain View Track Moderate • 4.3 ( 42 ) #5 - Mountain View Track National Arboretum Canberra Length: 1.7 mi • Est. 37m National Arboretum Canberra - voted Canberra's Top Tourist Attraction in 2019. This is a looped route that begins and ends from the main parking area of the Arboretum at the end of Forest Drive, which can be accessed directly from the Tuggeranong Parkway. With lots of local flora and fauna to see on the paths, this is a great way to feel like you're truly out in the bush despite being just outside the Canberra city centre.
• Cork Oak Track Easy • 4.3 ( 45 ) #6 - Cork Oak Track National Arboretum Canberra Length: 1.0 mi • Est. 23m This is a lovely shorter trail within the National Arboretum Canberra - voted Canberra's Top Tourist Attraction in 2019. This looped route begins and ends from the free parking area at the trailhead, accessed directly from the Tuggeranong Parkway. The Cork Oak Track explores the 100-year-old heritage-listed Cork Oak plantation. The trail itself can be relatively narrow in parts and offers beautiful views along the way. This one can also be combined with one of the many other trails in the...
• Explore Track, River Road Moderate • 3.9 ( 19 ) #7 - Explore Track, River Road National Arboretum Canberra Length: 9.3 mi • Est. 3h 28m A perfect lengthy trail through the National Arboretum Canberra - voted Canberra's Top Tourist Attraction in 2019. This looped route is an extension of the Explorer Track. It begins and ends from the main parking area of the Arboretum at the end of Forest Drive, which can be accessed directly from the Tuggeranong Parkway. Enjoy exploring the huge array of trees in the southern forests of the Arboretum, before crossing over the parkway and taking a 5 kilometer loop around the trails just...
• National Rock Garden and Lindsay Pryor Arboretum Loop Easy • 3.9 ( 18 ) #8 - National Rock Garden and Lindsay Pryor Arboretum Loop National Arboretum Canberra Length: 1.8 mi • Est. 35m A tour of the National Rock Garden and Lindsay Pryor Arboretum. This loop on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin links together 2 interesting gardens. The National Rock Garden contains a variety of rocks and minerals. The Lindsay Pryor National Arboretum showcases a collection of native trees. A great educational trip to learn more about Australia's landscapes.
• Cork Plantation and National Arboretum Moderate • 3.5 ( 6 ) #9 - Cork Plantation and National Arboretum National Arboretum Canberra Length: 5.1 mi • Est. 1h 59m A cycling loop that explores part of the National Arboretum Canberra - voted Canberra's Top Tourist Attraction in 2019. This is a looped route that begins and ends from the parking area at Federation Rocks - National Rock Garden, which can be accessed directly from the Tuggeranong Parkway. The trail itself features a mix of roads and trails. Some of the roads do not have a bike lane, so this loop should only be attempted by experienced road bikers. You'll get to enjoy great views over...
• Events Terrace Loop Easy • 3.8 ( 5 ) #10 - Events Terrace Loop National Arboretum Canberra Length: 0.4 mi • Est. 10m A short accessible path through the centre of the National Arboretum Canberra, voted Canberra's best tourist destination in 2019. This looped path begins and ends from the main carpark, which can be reach directly from the Tuggeranong Parkway. Enjoy making your way around the southern side of the Village Centre as you pass through a range of feature gardens including the National Bonsai Collection. The trail itself is a mix of sealed and gravel path, intentionally wheelchair friendly.

Top national parks

Top state parks

Activity type

• Mountain biking

Attractions

• Moderately challenging

Suitability

• Dogs on leash
• Kid friendly
• Wheelchair friendly

Points of Interest

• Dairy Farmers Hill

Frequently asked trail questions about National Arboretum Canberra

Where is the best place to hike in national arboretum canberra, what is the longest trail in national arboretum canberra, how many trails are in national arboretum canberra, which trail has the most elevation gain in national arboretum canberra, are there running trails available in national arboretum canberra, are there biking trails available in national arboretum canberra.

First Nations' art, history and tours

Learn about aboriginal and torres strait islander culture..

Immerse yourself in some of the oldest and richest cultures in human history with the extensive collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and history at Canberra’s museums and galleries. Take a tour with a local Ngunnawal elder or try your hand at traditional First Nations practices at a workshop at the National Arboretum.

First Nations art in Canberra

Comprising over 7500 works, the  National Gallery of Australia  is privileged to house the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. From ancient traditions to contemporary practices, each masterpiece connects audiences with the unique perspectives of First Nations artists, their experiences, cultures and deep and enduring connections to Country.

For original, handcrafted arts and crafts by local Aboriginal artists, head to  Burrunju Art Gallery  and  Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery .

For a hands-on experience join artist Gail Neuss, from Ngarigu Country, at the  National Arboretum Canberra  for an  interactive workshop to explore storytelling and symbols .

Learn about Indigenous history

Explore the shared stories and experiences of First Nations peoples in the  First Australians  Gallery and  Talking Blak to History  exhibition at the  National Museum of Australia , before heading outside to enjoy the forecourt garden and sculptural Uluru Line. Daily talks and tours available.

To learn about local Ngunnawal culture join  Dhawura Tours  and travel back in time to 'The Dreaming'. An experienced guide and Traditional Custodian will interpret various sites of significance and explore a variety of landscapes, wildlife and natural bush around Canberra.

Join one of the cultural tours by Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to see and learn about the land from the eyes of the Ngunnawal people.

To explore Ngunnawal Country at your own pace complete the  self-drive Aboriginal heritage track . Taking in cultural sites including the Murrumbidgee River and Namadgi National Park and other traditional meeting places where the Ngunnawal people welcomed and hosted mobs from the surrounding region to discuss land, lore and culture. See the mountains that were used for ceremonial purposes such as initiation, marriage and trading resources.

Cultural experiences

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