Volunteering at the Botanic Gardens

The volunteers of Brisbane's Botanic Gardens are a dynamic group of people of varying backgrounds with interests in Brisbane’s botany, horticulture and history.

Volunteers all have a love for Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens and a desire to share their passion with visitors. A formal qualification in horticulture or botany is not needed to become a volunteer guide, but good social and communication skills are important. 

Volunteer guides

The first intake of volunteer guides was in 1988 following the success of guiding at World Expo '88. Some of the original guides are still actively guiding today. There have been intakes of new guides every two years since 1988. There are now over 100 volunteer guides with active roles in both gardens.

Volunteer guides offer free guided walks at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, the City Botanic Gardens and Sherwood Arboretum, and vary their guided walks throughout the year to include botanical, ecological, historical, cultural, and scientific interests.

Volunteer guides can also host larger groups who book in for special walks in the botanic gardens. These can be in the form of walking groups and coach tours.

Council trains volunteer guides with the knowledge and skills needed to help make the visitor experience to the gardens enjoyable. Training requires a commitment of one day per week for a duration of nine weeks.

Volunteer welcomers

Volunteer welcomers at the Mt Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre are both a vital and valuable part of the Mt Coot-tha Precinct. The welcomers have been volunteering in the Mt Coot-tha Visitor Centre since it opened in 2017. The team consists of 35 volunteers who love providing a warm welcome to visitors of Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Mt Coot-tha Precinct.

The welcomers are the frontline volunteer ambassadors in the Mt Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre. The team has a broad knowledge and passion for the Mt Coot-tha Precinct and they ensure that visitors arriving at the precinct and Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha receive a warm welcome and an excellent visitor experience.

More information

If you are interested in volunteering, you can email Brisbane botanic gardens. 

You can also find out about volunteering in Brisbane's natural areas and environment centres.