If you’ve ever wondered what Australia’s prehistoric giants looked like up close, the Australian National Botanic Gardens has the answer.
This July, the landscape will transform from peaceful greenery into a prehistoric playground, with massive megafauna installations popping up throughout the grounds for the school holidays.
The Megahunt Trail
The main event is a free self-guided trail winding through the Gardens. Along the way, you’ll come face to face with giant creatures from Australia’s prehistoric past, surrounded by plants similar to the ancient megaflora they would have lived among millions of years ago.
It’s a chance to appreciate their incredible scale, learn how they lived and discover the ancient environments they once called home. The trail is open daily throughout July, so you can explore it at your own pace.
Ancient Giants Up Close
Local children’s author Bronwyn Saunders will also host a series of interactive sessions near Paperbark Lawn.
Designed for young explorers, the sessions bring Australia’s prehistoric wildlife to life through storytelling, science and plenty of audience participation. It’s an easy, fun, and engaging way for kids to learn more about the giant creatures that once roamed the continent.
Get Hands-On With History
If you’re a hands-on learner, artist Tom Buckland is running workshops at the Banksia Centre.
Combining palaeontology with art, participants will use raw materials like clay, seeds, sticks, and leaves to construct their own prehistoric models.
It’s a messy, tactile way to engage with the subject matter, and bookings are recommended as places are limited.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Location: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Dates/Times: Various events run from Wednesday 1 July to Friday 31 July. Trail open 8.30 am – 5 pm daily. Workshop and author session times vary.
Ticketing/Booking: The trail and author sessions are free. Art workshops are $11.90 and require booking via the website.
Find out more HERE
