Kings Park celebrates Botanic Gardens Week 2026
Botanic Gardens Week, running from 18-24 May 2026, is an annual celebration highlighting the role of plants in our lives and the important work botanic gardens and arboreta undertake every day to conserve them for future generations.
This year’s theme, ‘Where Your Health Grows’ highlights how botanic gardens strengthen mental, physical, and social wellbeing, connect communities, and provide spaces to rest, move, and reconnect with nature.
In a world full of pressure and distraction, the Western Australian Botanic Garden is a natural boost for wellbeing - a place to feel calmer, move more, connect with others, and feel inspired for our future.
Research shows that a 20–30 minute walk in a green space can lower cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone), reduce blood pressure, lift mood and improve focus (Hunter et al., 2019; Twohig-Bennett & Jones, 2018). A landmark global review of 143 studies found exposure to green space is linked to lower risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, premature mortality and improved mental health (Twohig-Bennett & Jones, 2018).
In Australia, access to green space has been associated with lower psychological distress and higher life satisfaction (Astell Burt & Feng, 2019) and internationally, research into Japan’s shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing” shows that plant-rich environments reduce anxiety and support emotional wellbeing (Park et al., 2010).
The Western Australian Botanic Garden, located in Kings Park in the heart of Perth, is uniquely placed to deliver these benefits. With a central location and free entry, this accessible space encourages our entire community to get outside for gentle physical activity, restorative mental breaks and social connection.
While we enjoy our botanic garden every day of the year, Botanic Gardens Week offers us a timely reminder to reflect on the tangible benefits the WA Botanic Garden brings, and a reminder not to take this part of Kings Park for granted!
Throughout Botanic Gardens Week, Kings Park and Botanic Garden will be hosting a wide range of wellbeing events in the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
Take a look at the events below and see how you can get involved:
- A Walk Through WA | Monday 18 & Wednesday 20 May, 11am-12.30pm.
- Natural Dyeing & Botanical Ink Workshop | Tuesday 19 May, 10:30am-12:30pm.
- Treading Softly: Mindfully Meeting Nature in Kings Park | Wednesday 20 & Sunday 24 May, 9-10.30am. SOLD OUT - waitlist available.
- Wellness in Kings Park (supporting people living with dementia) | Thursday 21 May, 10am-12pm.
- Brilliant Banksias: A Plant For All Seasons | Thursday 21 May, 9.30-11am.
- Yoga & Wellness at Kings Park | Saturday 23 May, 9:30-10:30am.
- Forest Bathing (Shinrin yoku): Reconnect with Nature and Yourself | Saturday 9am-12pm. SOLD OUT – waitlist available.
- Watercolour Workshop: Wildflowers & Wellbeing | Saturday 23 May, 10am-12pm. SOLD OUT
- Grow Your Health Challenge | All week. Visit the WA Botanic Garden, complete a short wellbeing activity and submit your entry for a chance to win prizes.
And if all these options feel overwhelming, you can visit for a simple stroll around the garden instead.
Learn more about Botanic Gardens Week here.
