Precincts
Discover the Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens. Expand the options below to view information about our precincts.
To book one of the precincts listed below, head to Council's Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens booking webpage Bookings.
SHOYOEN JAPANESE GARDEN
'Shoyoen' means 'strolling and refreshing garden'. Shoyoen is recognised as being one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens in Australia. It was gifted to Dubbo by our Sister City Minokamo, Japan.
The abstract and highly stylised miniature landscape is a distinguishing feature of this style of traditional Japanese Garden and is full of religious symbolism and cultural references.
HISTORY
The garden was designed by students from the Kamo Agricultural and Forestry High School cementing a commitment to growth of understanding and friendship.
Work on the garden began on 25 February 2002 with the planting of the first cherry trees. The 'ground breaking' ceremony was performed by a Shinto priest, Mr Toshiyiuki Hasabe. Shoyoen was officially opened on the 23 November 2002, the 153rd anniversary of the founding of Dubbo and the 13th year since the establishment of the Sister City relationship between Dubbo and Minokamo. The new entrance 'sukiyamon' was constructed in March 2013 by Japanese craftsmen and is one of the finest in either Australia or Japan.
ELEMENTS OF THE GARDEN
Significant elements within the Shoyoen Japanese Gardens include:
- The waterfall, streams and lake that symbolises human existence: birth, growth and death
- Japanese Koi or 'living flowers'
- The tea hut or 'Chaoya'. The tea hut is named 'Jurian' that means 'happiness and long life house'
- The dry garden landscape or 'karesansui'. Gravel is raked into patterns representing waves while rocks or mounds may represent a mountain or island
PLANTS WITHIN THE GARDEN
Download this document to view all plant species within the garden Shoyoen Japanese Garden Plant List (PDF 407.5KB).
JURIAN CEREMONIAL TEA HOUSE
The Jurian Ceremonial Tea House is located within the Shoyoen Japanese Garden, and is the feature that sets the garden apart from others in Australia. A gift from the people and city of Minokamo to Dubbo, the tea house was named Jurian; meaning ‘house of long life and happiness’.
Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies (“chanoyu”) are conducted at the tea house annually, and when Dubbo hosts sister city visitors from Minokamo.
HISTORY
The Jurian Ceremonial Tea House was designed by Mr Yoshi Itazu and prefabricated in Minokamo by Aiwa Company. It was shipped to Dubbo in three 12-metre shipping containers, and reassembled on site by five Japanese craftsmen in 11 days in August 2002.
The three main timbers included in its construction are Japanese cypress (hinoki); cedar (sugi) and pine (matsu). The timbers that make up the frame are joined using traditional Japanese joinery methods.
EVENTS
There are currently no upcoming events at the Jurian Ceremonial Tea House, please check back at a later date.
OASIS VALLEY GARDEN
Dry rainforests evolved from the ancient Gondwana rainforests but have been reduced today to tiny remnants scattered across the Kimberley, Top End, Cape York and down the east coast of Australia. The nearest natural occurring dry rainforest to Dubbo is located in the North Hunter Valley, approximately 4 hours away.
Many of the local species of plants are closely related to dry rainforest species.
HISTORY
The Oasis Valley which was officially opened in April 2013 provides a living link to Australia’s biogeographical history and promotes the conservation of the threatened 'dry rainforests'. To help fund the boardwalk at the Oasis Valley Dubbo City Council received $50,000 from Destination NSW. The local community has been heavily involved in the development of this garden through planting programs.
ELEMENTS OF THE GARDEN
Significant elements within Oasis Valley Garden include:
- A 65 metre boardwalk that follows a flowing creek
- Over 40 different dry rainforest species representing 16 families and 27 genera
- Plantings have been grouped together according to their families to make it easier for students of biology and botany to compare their characteristics
PLANTS WITHIN THE GARDEN
Download this document to view all plant species within the garden Oasis Valley Garden Plant List (PDF 101.8KB).
BIODIVERSITY GARDEN
The Biodiversity Garden has been designed to display local plants in settings that replicate their natural habitats. Visitors have the opportunity to examine the fascinating adaptations that local plants have evolved to survive in our sometimes harsh climate.
Attracted by the food, refuge and habitat provided by the native plants, the local native birds flock to this garden making it one of the best places for bird watching.
HISTORY
The Biodiversity Garden was opened in 2006 and was designed to be a living model of the major vegetation communities that thrived in this region before European settlement. The trails take visitors through grassy white box woodlands, past wetlands and climbs up a rocky, volcanic slope via a boardwalk. The boardwalk climb is not accessible by wheelchairs.
ELEMENTS OF THE GARDEN
Significant elements within the Biodiversity Garden include:
- A cross section of the regions vegetation communities with interpretative signage
- A boardwalk up to the top of the hill (please note that he boardwalk is not wheelchair accessible)
- Over 48 species of local plants
PLANTS WITHIN THE GARDEN
Download this document to view all plant species within the garden Biodiversity Garden Plant List (PDF 173.6KB).
SENSORY GARDEN
A journey through the Sensory Gardens is like wandering through a subtle multi-sensory kaleidoscope.
The contrasting colours and shapes of the flowers and foliage stimulate the visual senses. Sweet scents drift by to be overtaken by other delicious scents. Soothing sounds are made by the bamboo swaying in the breeze and the fountains splashing in the pond.
HISTORY
The Sensory Gardens were opened to the public in September 2011 and are a place of enchantment and inspiration. There is a rich range of sensory experiences provided by the clever design and carefully selected plants.
The many elements include playful water features, a striking sculpture of the Barking Gecko and the enticing stepping stones.
To help fund the Sensory Garden, Dubbo Regional Council received $458,000 from the Federal Government. Many local TAFE students contributed their time to the construction of this garden.
ELEMENTS OF THE GARDEN
Significant elements within the Sensory Garden include:
- A Georgian style rose bed planted with David Austin Roses
- Interactive and accessible water features
- A striking sandstone sculpture of the Barking Gecko
- Stepping stones across the lake
- A herb garden and all access potting bench
- Over 1,300 plants
PLANTS WITHIN THE GARDEN
Download this document to view all plant species within the garden Sensory Garden Plant List (PDF 185.9KB).
WIRADJURI GARDEN
The Wiradjuri Garden is an inclusive place for the community to meet, talk, share, educate and have a yarn together – a place to build respectful relationships and a space to inspire the whole community.
HISTORY
On Wednesday 16 June 2021, representatives from the Dubbo Region gathered around the fire pit for a traditional Wiradjuri ceremony in celebration of the official opening of Stage 1 of the Wiradjuri Garden.
The Wiradjuri Garden is the result of a joint partnership between DRC and the NSW Government to provide a culturally significant and accessible meeting space for the local community.
ELEMENTS OF THE GARDEN
Significant elements within the Wiradjuri Garden include:
- Two large sandstone yarning circles
- Native gardens with vegetation endemic to the area
- Shelters and picnic benches for gathering
- A large fire pit
- A fifty metre rainbow serpent focal piece
PLANTS WITHIN THE GARDEN
A downloadable document is being prepared containing all plant species within the Wiradjuri Garden Plant.
ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
Discover the Adventure Playground! Let your kids go wild exploring around 40 play elements, with BBQs, toilets, accessible elements, plus a senior’s fitness area - this is the ultimate playground for all ages and abilities.
HISTORY
The Adventure Playground was opening in 2019. It was designed to encourage children of all ages and abilities to socialise, as well as provide interesting and challenging situations to enable them to gain confidence, coordination, strength and skills.
ELEMENTS OF THE PLAYGROUND
Significant elements within the Adventure Playground include:
- Accessible play elements
- Swing
- Climbing elements
- Giant slide
- Balancing elements
BOTANIC GARDENS CAFE
The Botanic Gardens Cafe is currently closed. Set among the lush Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens, the Cafe offers delicious coffee, snacks and shady spots to sit with the family. The Botanic Gardens Cafe is located directly off the car park and overlooks the Adventure Playground - the perfect spot for energetic kids and adults alike.
MENU
From fresh coffee, sandwiches and muffins to snacks and ice-creams, make the most of your day out with an item from our menu.
Download a copy of the menu Botanic Gardens Cafe Menu List (PDF 4.3MB)
Last Edited: 23 Aug 2022