Home - National Arboretum

Temporary Closures

Please be advised of the following upcoming temporary closures:

POD Playground will be closed on Monday 30 June.

The south viewing deck outside the Visitors Centre will be closed for maintenance starting Monday 23 June. Access will remain available via the southern doors during this time.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while these areas are temporarily closed.

The National Arboretum Canberra is a mosaic of living forests and gardens offering breathtaking views, unique experiences, and a world-class entertainment and events hub including the award-winning Margaret Whitlam Pavilion and the popular Village Centre.

With over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a 250-hectare site, the Arboretum is a place of beauty, conservation, science research, education, tourism and recreation.

What is an arboretum?

What's here

Discover an exciting variety of things to do, see and experience at the Arboretum.

Eat, drink and shop

Take a break at the Arboretum Cafe or The Curatoreum gift shop at our award-winning Village Centre.

POD Playground

Let kids of all ages run wild in the popular nature themed playground with acorn and banksia cubbies, sand-play, slides and swings.

Tracks and trails

Explore the multi-purpose, family-friendly walking, running and cycling trails for all ability levels.

Host an event

Have your wedding, party, meeting or event at one of Canberra's most iconic and sought-after venues.

National Bonsai and Penjing Collection

See the world-class display of miniature trees and forests, created by some of Australia's leading artists.

Bonsai Artist in Residence - Stephen Cullum

Inaugural Capital Plein Air Festival 2025

25 - 27 April 2025

The inaugural Capital Plein Air Festival 2025 transformed the National Arboretum Canberra into a vibrant open-air studio, drawing artists from across the country to paint amidst our renowned autumn landscapes.

Bursting with colour, the Arboretum Festival Hub came alive with creativity, community, and connection to nature through live painting, workshops, and exhibitions over the bustling ANZAC Day long weekend.

Bonsai Artist in Residence 2025

14 - 16 April 2025

Each year, the Arboretum invites Australian bonsai artists for the Bonsai Artist In Residence Program. In April, Matt Sharp joined us, bringing his enthusiasm for distilling elements of the Australian landscape into his work, along with his knowledge and passion for working with less traditional species.