News

Date posted: 03 August 2021

Adelaide, Mount Lofty and Wittunga Botanic Gardens are open to all South Australians who are feeling well.

The safety and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our highest priority.

We are following all federal and state government policy and directives relating to COVID-19, and are closely monitoring updates through SA Health and the impact of COVID-19 on our community.

We believe that coming to a botanic garden and connecting with nature can have a calming effect in times of difficulty, and we hope the gardens will provide some respite for visitors in these uncertain times.

Visitor information

Please ensure you are following all SA Health restrictions before coming to a botanic garden.

If you are feeling unwell or are required to quarantine, please stay home.

Please follow safe practice when at a botanic garden by:

• Maintaining a safe distance (at least 1.5 metres) from other visitors and staff.
• Wearing a mask when in inside public spaces, including the glass houses and museum
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you cough or sneeze, and discard used tissues in a bin.
• If you do not have tissue, please cough/sneeze into your elbow.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Refreshments

Restaurant Botanic and the Simpson Kiosk at Adelaide Botanic Garden are open.

Café Fibonacci (next to the Museum of Economic Botany) will remain closed until further notice.

Water fountains throughout the gardens have been temporarily turned off. Please ensure you bring enough water to drink on your visit.

Shop

The Diggers shop at Adelaide Botanic Garden is open.

Buildings

Our indoor botanical collection spaces are open. Please adhere to the capacity limits displayed on each building and wear a mask when inside.

This includes the Bicentennial Conservatory, the Palm House, the Simpson Shadehouse and the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion.

The Santos Museum of Economic Botany and administration Goodman Building will open to the public on Thursday 5 August.

Events

Light Cycles is running until Sunday 22 August, with guidance from SA Health.

• Masks will be required for entry to this event and will need to be worn for the duration
• Ticket holders are asked to arrive at the Gingko Gate at their allocated session time
• The Light Cycles Bar on Frome Road will be open for seated food and beverage consumption only. The bar opens at 5.45pm.

All ticket holders have been informed.

For more information about COVID safety at the event, please visit the Light Cycles webpage.

Public programs

The Schools Education Program is running. For bookings or more information, please visit the Education page.

A range of online resources can help you, your school or community group, and give you gardening tips and virtual tours.

Volunteer-related activities including the free guided walks have been temporarily paused until further notice.

Additional cleaning

We have put in place additional cleaning of public toilets throughout each of the gardens.

Garden regulations

Botanic Gardens are different from public parks in that they're living museums, filled with valuable living collections. For this reason some activities are not permitted as they have the potential to damage or destroy valuable plants.

Botanic Gardens are also internationally-regarded as places for visitors to seek peace beauty and tranquility, so activities that impede this (such as the use of drones or playing music) are also not permitted.

You must not:

• Bring dogs or other pets into a botanic garden (with the exception of assistance dogs). Dogs on a lead are permitted in neighbouring Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla.
• Fly drones in or above the garden (under CASA guidelines. Learn more at our Filming and Photography page)
• Ride bikes / bicycles, scooters, skateboards or rollerblades
• Damage or remove plants
• Pick mushrooms
• Enter garden beds
• Bring alcohol into the garden
• Play ball or throwing games
• Bring BBQs into the garden

Thank you for contributing to the safety of our community.

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More information on COVID-19

The most recent update from SA Health can be found here.

If you would like to find out more about COVID-19, please visit https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/ or call the Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.