Bookings are not necessary – just turn up at the Visitors Centre by 11am and follow your guide around the highlights of the Gardens and learn the meaning of the names behind some well-known native plants.

The Gardens’ renown is spreading – bus tours  are constant arrivals from many parts of the state.

In August and early September volunteer guides will host visitors from Bemboka Land Care and Bega Seniors Travel Club.

Friends of the Botanic Gardens president Heather Haughton says the guides will enjoy meeting their colleagues – volunteer guides from botanic gardens around Austra-lia – at the Gardens Guides Conference to be held in Sydney.

“The conference is held in alternate years and is a significant chance for volunteers to share best practice and learn from one another,” Heather said.

“An early booking from MacMasters Beach Garden Club for a visit in October, and an Australian Plant Society pre-conference tour in November have been added to the guides’ diaries.

“The Gardens would welcome more volunteers who are willing to join the guides group.”

Heather said the Ecotourism award won by the Gardens at the South Coast Tourism Awards last week was testament to the Gardens’ status as a “hidden jewel”.

“We are all extremely thrilled about the win,” she said.

“The Gardens also won a Certificate of Excellence from Trip-Advisor recently; so many people are discovering what a magical place it is.”

So, mark next Sunday on your calendar and go along for a guided walk in this award-winning botanical garden.

Take a picnic, or some sausages for the free barbecue, or watch the wrens play under your feet on the café terrace while you enjoy lunch.