Pros & cons
PROS
- Australia’s only Aboriginal‑owned botanic garden with a dedicated Koori Garden focus
- Scribbly Lawn offers sheltered seating and electric barbecues for wet or hot days
- Many paths suit assisted wheelchair use and prams with ranger guidance
CONS
- Early seasonal gate closures can cut visits short if you start late
- Very gentle terrain may disappoint hikers seeking a workout
Access the loop from the main Booderee Botanic Gardens entrance inside the park; the signed nature trails begin here.
Seasonal early gate closures; stay on formed paths and give snakes space. No pets anywhere in the park.
Overview
This is a gentle 3.7 km loop (about 2.3 miles total) threading the paths of Booderee Botanic Gardens. Expect well‑formed walking through rainforest, heath and eucalypt forest with plenty of places to linger. It’s more a meander than a workout—ideal if you want an easy, nature‑rich stroll rather than a summit push.
What you’ll see
Plant communities flip from cool, shaded rainforest to open heath and tall eucalypt stands. Keep an eye out for interpretive signage about bush tucker and medicinal uses of plants, and don’t miss the Koori Garden and education shelter for insight into Traditional Owners’ knowledge. It’s solid birdwatching country, and you may spot other wildlife along the way.
Facilities and wayfinding
Start from the main garden entrance and follow the signed nature trails to make a loop. You’ll find picnic tables and grassed lawns throughout, plus the Scribbly Lawn—great for groups or wet weather—with electric barbecues and a large shelter. Toilets and drinking water are available within the gardens. Trails are signposted, and you can pick up a park map on site.
Accessibility
Many sections are suitable for assisted wheelchair use and prams. Chat with rangers at the gardens for the best routes for your needs; they’ll steer you to the smoothest, least‑steep options.
Best time to walk
Gates open daily at 8:00 am. Closing times change with the seasons: May–September the gardens close 4:00 pm on weekdays and 5:00 pm on weekends/public holidays; October–April they close 5:00 pm on weekdays and 6:00 pm on weekends/public holidays. Plan your loop so you finish with time to spare before the gates shut.
Need‑to‑know
Entry to the gardens is included in the Booderee National Park pass. Pets aren’t permitted anywhere in the park (including the gardens). Conditions can change with park operations—check current alerts before you go. Snakes are occasionally seen; give wildlife space and stay on formed paths. And as tempting as the bush tucker looks, don’t collect plants.
Where it starts
-35.1448, 150.6741Wildlife on this trail
Near Botanic Gardens Loop Walk
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayTelegraph Creek Nature TrailGentle loop with wildflowers, birds, and well‑placed interpretive signsEasy · 1.5 mi · 1 hr
0 mi awayBooderee Botanic GardensAustralia's only Aboriginal-owned botanic garden, shady walks and picnicsRestroom · Picnic Table
0 mi awayBooderee Botanic Gardens Visitor CentreYour stop for passes, maps, and smart garden route adviceVisitor Center · Restroom
1 mi awayCave Beach Walking TrackShort coastal loop to surfy sands, swamp birds, and blackbutt forestEasy · 1.7 mi · 1 hr
1.1 mi awayCave Beach LookoutQuick boardwalk with big views over Cave Beach and bayParking · Restroom
1.2 mi awayCave Beach CampgroundWalk-in beach camping with surf, roos and simple, cold showersCampground · Restroom
2 mi awaySummercloud Bay Walking TrackQuiet coastal ramble to hidden coves and powerful surf viewsEasy · 2 mi · 48 min
2.8 mi awayGreen Patch Nature TrackShady loop through eucalypt forest with creeks, signs, and wildlifeEasy · 1.2 mi · 1 hr
