Located in New South Wales, Australia, the Auburn Botanic Garden brings families, locals, and out-of-towners to its gardens year-round. Families will enjoy all the sights and scents of Auburn between viewing native animals and the famous Japanese Gardens and smelling the flowers in the Sunken Rose Garden and Scented Garden. The Auburn Botanic Garden is a beautiful place to visit with the family any time of the year, but it is especially gorgeous during the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival!
About Auburn Botanic Gardens
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Auburn Botanic Gardens have been open since 1977, covering about 23 acres (or 9.2 hectares). Per the Cumberland City Council, the gardens representing national styles can be visited any day of the year except Christmas and are open from 9 am to 5 pm (daylight saving hours are 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday). It is typically free to visit the Auburn Botanic Gardens during the week. Still, there may be a small entry fee to visit during weekends or organised events (like the Cherry Blossoms festival).
Japanese Garden
Photo credit: hellosydneykids.com.au
The Japanese Garden is by far the most popular section of Auburn Botanic Gardens in Australia. Families can get a good look at traditional landscaping like decorative bridges, ornamental trees, a large Koi lake, waterfalls, a zen garden, and more. There’s even a traditional tea house in the garden. For the best views, visit the gardens between mid-August and early September during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Make sure to bring your phone or camera to capture the beauty that is found within the garden.
Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival
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The beautiful Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival is held each year in August during Cherry Blossom season and recognizes Japanese culture throughout the park. Not only will families get breathtaking views (and photos) of all the Cherry Blossoms, but they can also taste different foods from Japan. There are also various events and performances that may take place during the festival. Remember there is an entry fee for events like these and a free shuttle bus if needed. Prepare for many people to attend, so arriving early is probably best!
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Auburn Fauna Reserve
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Families will love visiting the Native Fauna Reserve, where animals such as Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Swamp Wallabies, Emus, Common Wombat, and Red-necked Wallabies can be viewed. Children can get an up-close look at these indigenous animals. The Fauna Reserve is open between 9 am and 4 pm every day. If you would love to catch a feeding time, stop by at 10 am or 2 pm on the weekends.
Reflection Pool
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The reflection pool is located near the Undercover Wedding Pavilion and is another beautiful sight to see, especially during the autumn months (between March and May in Australia). At the end of the reflection pool is a tree that is the offspring of the Stone Pine at the Lone Pine Cemetary (Gallipoli, Turkey). This is a neat place for parents to teach their little ones about the concept of reflection.
Native and Rainforest Garden
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To see the Native and Rainforest Garden area of Auburn, head to the western side of the park near the Fauna Reserve. The native garden homes a variety of native plants and maturing trees and it has become a popular place for weddings and ceremonies (it is a wonderful photo backdrop). Some wildlife can also be seen here occasionally like Cape Barren Geese, Dusky Moorhens, Australian Brush turkeys, and peacocks.
Auburn Botanic Gardens Playground
Photo credit: hellosydneykids.com.au
Stop by the Auburn Botanic Gardens Playground, an equal-access playground for some kid-friendly play. As you can see from the photo, this isn’t a massive playground by any means but it does provide fun and climbing for little ones. In addition, there are swings, footbridges, and a maze for kids to run through. One of the unique aspects of this playground is the animal noises that are played when a special button is pressed.
Eating at Auburn
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At Auburn Botanic Gardens, there are plenty of places to eat with family and friends. Picnic tables, benches, and BBQ facilities are available throughout the park. If it is a hot day, there are many shaded areas for resting and getting the kiddos out of the sun. Auburn does not have a cafe or place to eat otherwise, so pack a picnic or snacks before heading to the gardens.
Roaming Wildlife
Photo credit: kyliepurtell.com
One of the most fun (and surprising) aspects of visiting Auburn Botanic Gardens with your children is their faces when they see a peacock or other wild bird walking down a path. How funny! Auburn Botanic Gardens is known for having a variety of birds (pigeons, magpies, geese, etc.) walking among the guests in the park. This can be a fun game for kids, like a scavenger hunt!
Sunken Rose and Scented Garden
Photo credit: kyliepurtell.com
Auburn has even more formal gardens, including the Sunken Rose Garden and Scented Garden. Both gardens sit near each other. The Sunken Rose Garden has arches and various colorful and scented David Austin Roses. The Scented Garden is nearby and a popular spot for weddings, ceremonies, and wedding photography. Visitors can enjoy a variety of aromas like Lavender, Sage, and Frangipani. You will also notice the Undercover Wedding Pavilion while you are there.
The Auburn Botanic Garden is a beautiful place for the whole family as it can encourage a sense of wonder as kids and adults alike check out each garden. Children will love being surprised by the sights throughout the park, including roaming wildlife! Don’t forget to pack some snacks or bring your own meal to enjoy at one of the picnic areas. Having each kid bring along their own nature journal could be another fun way for them to get involved (and a souvenir to take home)!
What are your favorite things to see at Auburn Botanic Gardens? Let us know below!
