North Coast New South Wales is blessed with a variety of climates - from temperate to sub tropical which means the range of flora, native and introduced, is huge.
The flora at Grassy Head and the Way Way State Forest is sub-tropical, cycads the Scaly Zamia or Pineapple Palm [Lepidozamia Peroffskyana] grow right up to the beach, staghorns and orchids can be found please look but leave them where you find them.
Cycads are an ancient group of seed plants with a crown of large compound leaves and a stout trunk. They are a minor component of the flora in tropical and subtropical regions today, but during the Jurassic Period, they were a common sight in many parts of the world. For this reason, the Jurassic is often referred to as the "Age of Cycads".
The North Coast Regional Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour offers visitors a unique blend of flora, recreation, education and relaxation. Enjoy the beauty of native or exotic plants, the relaxation of a quiet walk, or the stimulation of learning about the environment. It's open 9am - 5pm every day of the year and admission is free
The Visitor Information Centre is open 10am to 2pm week-days, and 9am to 5pm week-ends, school holidays, and public holidays. Soft drinks, ice creams and souvenirs are available.
Garden facilities include picnic areas, toilets and wheelchair access
The Prime Display Area with its
colourful native and exotic plants is the entrance window to the Garden.
It is a miniature Botanic Garden ideal for those who want a short walk,
or as an introduction to the Garden.
The Glasshouse Complex features an entry house
with a wide range of ferns, foliage plants, bromeliads, and general
plantings, surrounding an attractive water feature.
The Mangrove Boardwalk has been constructed as a
learning resource, with information plaques describing the plant and
animal communities, and some of the unique adaptations to the estuarine
environment.
The Orchid House is a specialized part of the
glasshouse complex. Because of the need for controlled access, the
Orchid House is open from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday &
Sunday.
The Sensory Garden where you can enjoy the
fragrances and beauty of roses and learn about the culinary, medicinal
and scented properties of herbs. Some beds are elevated for wheelchair
accessibility
School Guiding and Group Tours are available by prior
arrangement. No
charge is usually made for school groups, but a small charge is made
for bus groups.
The Endangered Species are a collection of over
one hundred and fifty rare plants considered threatened in their
natural habitats. The planting preserves and provides seed for their
continuing survival.
Sunday Afternoon Tea - from 2pm to 4pm on Sundays
- the friends serve a Devonshire Afternoon tea under the pergola at the
rear of the Information Centre
North Coast Rainforest - the beauty of the
five typical regional rainforest types has been created in the garden
setting. Over 1200 plantings make this the largest man made rainforest
in NSW
The Creek Walk
follows Coffs Harbour Creek with creek views, mangroves, and
wildflowers in spring. Other walks include a Nature Trail, Aboriginal
Plants Walk, and Early Settlers Plants Walk.
Special Events : Special Events
include the Winter Festival held on the Sunday of the June holiday
week-end, and music in the Garden on Mothers Day and Fathers Day.
Non Australian Plantings: Non Australian Plantings at
the northern end of the garden represent geographic areas of similar
latitude to Coffs Harbour - plantings from South Africa, Central &
South America, Japan, China, India are progressing.
Fundraising Activities: Fundraising Activities
include the school holiday Art Exhibitions in the Display Room,
wildflower displays, and of course donations to the Friends are always
welcome.
Weddings in the Garden - couples wishing to arrange a
wedding ceremony in the Garden should contact the Parks and Reserves
branch of Coffs Harbour City Council, who will advise the conditions
that apply. A donation to the Friends is requested.
Picnic Areas : Picnic Areas are conveniently located,
within easy walking distance of the car park, close to the Information
Centre and facilities, and along the bank of Coffs Harbour Creek.
The Friends of the Botanic Garden is an active community group,
formed to further the objectives of the Garden. Members probably have
only one thing in common - an enjoyment in contributing a little of
their time to a worthwhile cooperative project, in a beautiful
environment. The contribution made by individuals varies, but one thing
is certain, there is come way every member can help.
THE INFORMATION CENTRE - Members staff the Information Centre from
IOam to 2pm weekdays, and from 9am to 5pm on weekends and public
holidays. They hand out pamphlets about the Garden, assist with
inquiries, and sell drinks, ice creams and mementos.
The Friends of the Botanic Garden have prepared a number of
brochures which are available at the Information Centre, for the use of
visitors to the Garden. They include Aboriginal Plants Walk, Mangrove
Boardwalk, Fauna of the Botanic Garden, History Of the Botanic Garden,
Herbarium, Herbs of the Sensory Garden, Plant Names, Eucalypt
Identification.
WORKING BEES - Members work every Wednesday morning on a range of
jobs approved by Council. They include maintenance mulching, weeding,
and constructing the paths and trails required for developing new
features. Outdoor work with a friendly group may look sometimes like
slave labour, but they come back for more, to make their contribution
to future development.
Member subscriptions provide only part of the income. donations,
catering, plant sales, and information centre sales all provide funds
for development. Volunteers are always required for the annual Winter
Festival, which is a major fund raising project.
SEED COLLECTION - Members collect seed from the plants of the Coffs
Harbour area, test germination , prepare a list for distribution
throughout the world, and dispatch seed to Botanic Gardens in many
countries. Members propagate plants for use in the Garden, and some
special purpose sales.
HERBARIUM - Members identify plant specimens, using a cornprehensive
reference collection held at the Herbarium. The core collection of over
23 000 specimens, and reference collection of 2 000 specimens require a
high level of care and maintenance.
Awards won by the Friends include 1990 NSW Best Community Project,
1994 National Banksia Award, 1998 NSW Best Community Environment
Project (KABC) and 1997 National Community Link Award
Management of the Garden - The North Coast Regional Botanic Garden
has been established through the joint efforts of Coffs Harbour City
Council and the community group The Friends of the North Coast Regional
Botanic Garden Inc.
Hire of the Display Room - the Display Room is available for hire to
the general public, community groups, government departments and
commercial operators. Facilities include air conditioning, seating for
80, tables, TV and video, overhead projector, whiteboard etc. Catering
can be provided if requested.
History of the Site - the 20 hectare site was covered by various
Crown Land Reserves for night soil and rubbish depots from 1907, and
used for these purposes until 1964. The Coffs Harbour Planning Scheme
drawn up in 1959 by Roy McRae, a Town Planner from Sydney, recommended
a Botanic Garden for the area, then known as Wilson's Park. His vision
was not rewarded; and the Council minute-was noted, fled and forgotten.
It was not until 1973 the potential of the site was gain recognized.
Following a canoe trip down Coffs Harbour Creek, the Ulitarra Society,
a community group dedicated to conservation ideals, came up with a
Botanic Garden concept.
Over a three month period they spoke to 18 local organizations, and
gained their support. In November 1973 they presented to Council a well
documented and researched submission 'Plan for Management of Natural
Areas, Coffs Creek" , prepared by Alex Floyd, Peter Roberts and Lloyd
Jones.
OFFICIAL OPENING - The North Coast Regional Botanic Garden was opened by Sir Alexander Beattie on 17th September 1985.
Clybucca Memorial Garden
How soon we forget The lives that were lost at Clybucca in late 89 No longer well marked, just a garden and park A memorial for those left behind.
Thirty-five fragile lives were killed on that day When two buses hit - Head on, head on. They were innocent lives travelling home For Christmas with family and friends.
There were singles and doubles and some triples too On that morning when everything went wrong In the garden they're listed with photos and wreaths The bloody reality - how could we forget?
So when next at Clybucca look out for the sign Stop in. Remember those who are gone It could've been me, it could've been you It could have been anyone we've known.
![[Clybucca Memorial Garden]](http://www.holidaycoast.net.au/images/clybucca5.jpg?381?97)
![[Clybucca Memorial Garden]](http://www.holidaycoast.net.au/images/clybucca4.jpg?381?97)
