Design X Nature: A Free Outdoor Art Trail Through the Botanic Gardens This Spring
A new outdoor exhibition turns the Australian Drylands into a living gallery this September and October — and it’s free to explore any time you like.
If you’ve walked through the Australian Drylands at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, you’ll know it’s already one of the more thought-provoking corners of the Gardens — a living experiment in what our gardens might look like as the climate warms. From 25 September to 18 October 2026, that precinct becomes something more: an open-air exhibition called Design X Nature, where new artworks sit among the plants and invite you to look at the landscape a little differently.
It’s free, it’s drop-in, and it comes with an appealing program of walks, talks and workshops if you want to go deeper than a stroll-through. Here’s what to expect and how to plan your visit.
Related reading: if you haven’t explored this part of the Gardens before, have a read of my guide to the Royal Botanic Gardens first, or take The Explorer tour if walking the full site isn’t for you.
What is Design X Nature?
Design X Nature is a new outdoor exhibition presented by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, in association with Melbourne Fringe and RMIT University. It features new works by four artists — Courtney Coombs, Cara Johnson, Bethany Kiss and Soft Meadow Collective — each developed through a research residency at the Gardens in 2025, working alongside the Gardens’ own horticulturists and scientists.
The result is a set of artworks grounded in real observation of the Drylands rather than art dropped into a garden setting. Expect sculpture, installation and material experimentation that responds directly to how plants adapt, survive and change — themes that will resonate if you’ve ever wondered how our gardens are coping with hotter, drier summers.
- When: Friday 25 September to Sunday 18 October 2026
- Where: Australian Drylands Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne — enter via Domain Road Gate
- Cost: Free
- Access: Drop in any time during normal Gardens opening hours
Walks, talks and workshops to plan around
The artworks themselves are there to explore at your own pace, but the program of events is where this exhibition really earns a spot in your diary. A few are ticketed with limited numbers, so it’s worth booking ahead if any of these appeal.
Meet the artist: Cara Johnson at Pastures — Cara Johnson will be on site alongside her sculptural installation Pastures, talking through her process as she works. A nice one for a casual visit with no booking required.
- Friday 2 October, 10am–2pm
- Friday 9 October, 10am–4pm
- Friday 16 October, 10am–4pm
- Free, drop in anytime
Workshop: Nature Journaling in the Drylands — Led by Soft Meadow Collective, this hands-on session has you drawing, writing and observing the Drylands landscape up close. A lovely one if you enjoy sketching or journaling and want some guidance.
- Saturday 3 October, 11am (2 hours)
- $40 adult / $35 concession
- Bookings essential
Walk: Home is Where the Nest Is — Bird Ecology in Melbourne — Urban ecologist Dr Jacinta Humphrey leads a guided walk looking at how birds have adapted to city living. Good news for keen birdwatchers, and a gentler pace than it might sound.
- Saturday 10 October, 10am (1.5 hours)
- Friday 16 October, 12.30pm (1.5 hours)
- $30 adult / $25 concession
- Bookings essential
Talk: Queer Ecologies Panel Discussion — Artist Courtney Coombs and invited guests discuss how ecological thinking challenges traditional ideas of “natural” and “unnatural.” A more discussion-focused session for those interested in the ideas behind the exhibition.
- Saturday 17 October, 3pm (1 hour)
- Free
- Bookings recommended
Brunswick Aces Gin Pop-Up — For a relaxed way to round off a visit, there’s a twilight drinks pop-up featuring ‘The Arborist’, the Gardens’ own botanical gin collaboration with Brunswick Aces.
- Friday 9 October, Saturday 10 October, Friday 16 October, Saturday 17 October
- 12pm–7.30pm
Getting there
Public transport: Trams 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 stop at the Shrine of Remembrance/St Kilda Road (Stop 19), a level walk of around 650 metres to the Gardens. Bus route 605 (Melbourne Observatory/Birdwood Avenue) stops closer, near the Observatory Gate. Trains run to Anzac Station on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines.
Driving: Metered street parking for up to four hours is generally available along St Kilda Road, Alexandra Avenue and Domain Road, close to the entry gates. Parking conditions can change around events, so allow a little extra time to find a spot.
Accessible parking: Signed accessible parking bays are available near several gates, including Domain Road Gate — the closest entrance to the exhibition itself.
Accessibility
- The Australian Drylands Precinct is accessible via the Gardens’ main sealed paths.
- Accessible street parking is available near Domain Road Gate, the entry point closest to the exhibition.
- Accessible toilets are located throughout the Gardens and marked on the RBG Melbourne interactive map.
- Travellers Aid Companion Service volunteers can meet you at a public transport hub and assist with wheelchair access or mobility support to and around the Gardens, Monday to Friday. Bookings are essential — call 1300 700 399 or book via travellersaid.org.au.
- Companion Card holders are entitled to free entry to any RBG walks when accompanying a ticket holder.
A relaxed spring outing worth adding to your calendar
What I like about Design X Nature is that it doesn’t ask much of you. There’s no ticket to buy, no set route to follow, and it sits within a part of the Gardens most of us already enjoy wandering through. If you want to make more of it, the guided walks and the artist-in-residence sessions are an easy way to turn a stroll into something a bit more considered — and the gin pop-up is a nice excuse to stay for golden hour.
For event and program enquiries, please visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria website for full program details and bookings.
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