Like a Hollywood Boulevard for botanists right here in Coffs Harbour

The new Botanist Walk was opened by a legendary local botanist instrumental in establishing the gardens. The gardens are a hive of development activity.

Dr Alex Floyd and Dr Gwen Harden do the honours.

A new garden, honouring botanists both past and present, has been created in Coffs Harbour.

It’s been a labour of love for volunteers and staff at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden on the banks of Coffs Creek.

A concept image of the new glasshouse at the botanic garden at Coffs Harbour.

The Botanists Walk is located near the new glasshouse, currently under construction.

Friends of the Coffs Harbour Botanic Garden volunteers including Larry Corbett have put in countless hours selecting plants and creating the garden beds and winding footpaths.

Volunteer Larry Corbett, in collaboration with Botanic Garden co-ordinator Rick Ackland, has been instrumental in making the new Botanist Walk a reality.

Garden co-ordinator Rick Ackland has been another driving force behind the project which highlights the work of 16 botanists including our very own Dr Alex Floyd.

Now in his 90s he was instrumental in establishing the gardens in the 80s.

Dr Floyd was joined by Dr Gwen Harden to cut the ribbon at the official opening recently.

In recent weeks schoolchildren from across the region have participated in guided tours of The Botanist Walk.

Students have been exploring the new Botanist Walk. Year 5 Boambee Primary School student Angela Lownie shows off her banksia drawing.

The walk was financed by a grant from the Australian Maritime Museums Council and also The Friends of the Coffs Harbour Botanic Garden.

Also at the botanic garden, the construction of the new glasshouse is nearing completion.

The steel and glass design of the building will reflect its surrounding landscape with tree trunks that reach up and branch out to support opaque and transparent panels, filtering the light like leaves.

The modular design will also allow for future expansion.