This week, the National Arboretum has rolled out its annual Winter in the Woods program, and the star of the show is once again the massive, community-driven Warm Trees installation.  

A Community’s Labour of Love 

This is a massive logistical feat put together by the Friends of the National Arboretum and hundreds of dedicated volunteers who spend months knitting, crocheting, and crafting.  

This year, the team has managed to wrap over 17 entire forests in colourful, hand-stitched scarves and themed decorations. You’ll find these bright woolly creations draped over the trunks up at Dairy Farmers Hill, stretching across the main groves, and even scaled down to miniature proportions.  

In what might be the most charming detail of the season, the tiny trees in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia have been fitted with their own custom, teeny-tiny scarves.  

 

Firelight, Mulled Wine, and Forest Trails 

Beyond the knitwear, the Arboretum has put together a solid lineup of practical ways to get you out of the house and moving.  

On weekends, they are firing up the outdoor hearths. You can grab a cup of mulled wine, toast marshmallows over the open flames, and shake off the winter slump. If you want to keep the kids active, there are hands-on, nature-based art workshops, lantern-making sessions, and guided Warm Tree walks that give you a closer look at the installations.  

The program also features First Nations cultural experiences woven throughout the schedule, offering a deeper connection to the Ngunnawal land the Arboretum sits on. If the thought of walking in the crisp wind makes your knees ache, you can hop on one of the accessible bus tours that loop through the southern forests, letting you soak in the views without losing feeling in your toes.

 

Beat the July Slump 

This installation is a great excuse to bundle up, grab a hot drink, and support a massive, heartwarming community art project. It runs until early August, so grab your thickest puffer jacket and get up there before the scarves come down. 

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

  • Location: National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Weston Creek 
  • Dates/Times: Daily until 9 August 2026, various times for specific workshops and events 
  • Ticketing/Booking: Free entry to wander the forests and view the Warm Trees; some workshops, bus tours, and guided walks require bookings and individual ticket pricing.  

 

Find out more HERE