Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

The Hunter's only regional botanic garden, on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae between Newcastle and Raymond Terrace: 125 hectares of Australian native plants and preserved bushland, with landscaped display gardens making up around 30 hectares of the site. Volunteers manage and maintain the whole operation. Walking trails run through both the collections and the bush beyond, and the visitor precinct takes in the Kookaburra Cafe, a gift shop and a plant stall, with guided tours available by advance booking.

Volunteer-run; guided tours by advance booking.