Overview
There are over 20 kilometres of multipurpose trails that wind through a mosaic of 94 individual forests at the National Arboretum Canberra.
Their knowledgeable and passionate volunteers give tours through the ever-changing forests to give visitors an insight into the history, purpose and stories of the National Arboretum.
Whilst you are here, surround yourself with some of Canberra’s best panoramic views, stunning architecture and themed, landscaped gardens.
Visit and see why the National Arboretum Canberra was voted Canberra’s Best Tourist Attraction in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Venture into the forests with a volunteer guide for a one-hour guided walk to learn more about the trees, features and history of the National Arboretum Canberra.
Walking location and topic depend on weather and season.
Sights
Map
Info
The National Arboretum Canberra is a 250-hectare (620-acre) arboretum in Canberra, the national capital of Australia, created after the area was burned out as a result of the Christmas 2001 and 2003 Canberra bushfires: The Himalayan Cedar forest lost about one third of its trees, and the commercial Radiata Pine plantation was burned out, allowing the arboretum to be created.
In 2004, the Government of the Australian Capital Territory held a nationwide competition for an arboretum, which was to be part of the recovery from the 2003 bushfires. The winning design by landscape architects Taylor Cullity Lethlean and architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer proposed 100 forests and 100 gardens focussing on threatened, rare, and symbolic trees from around the world.
The site has been planted since 2005, and includes ceremonial trees planted by visiting heads of government and ambassadors. It was officially opened on 1 February 2013. Over 15,000 visitors came to the Opening Day Festival. Since that day, over a million visitors of all ages and nationalities have explored the beauty and scale of the Arboretum’s forests, landscapes and architecture.
