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.
City Botanic Gardens volunteer guides recruitment 2023
Expressions of interest are now open for volunteer guide positions at the City Botanic Gardens.
Volunteer guides raise community awareness by showcasing Brisbane’s passion for our botanic gardens and appreciation of plant communities. They conduct and host guided and specialised walks, assist with special event day tours, and more.
For more information, come along to our information session:
- When: Thursday 15 June 2023
- Time: Starting 9.30am (includes morning tea)
- Where: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, 152 Mt Coot-tha Road Toowong. Please arrive at the Administration building 15-minutes prior.
- To book: email volunteers.brisbanebotanicgardens@brisbane.qld.gov.au
How to apply
- Fill out the volunteer application form (PDF - 113kb) (note: this intake is only for the City Botanic Gardens)
- Email the completed form to volunteers.brisbanebotanicgardens@brisbane.qld.gov.au
- Alternatively, drop off your printed application to the Administration building at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, 152 Mount Coot-tha Road Toowong.
Applications due by 4pm Monday 26 June 2023.
For any enquiries regarding the recruitment and for additional information, email volunteers.brisbanebotanicgardens@brisbane.qld.gov.au.
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
Interested in volunteering at Brisbane's Botanic Gardens:
- phone Brisbane Botanic Gardens Administration on 07 3403 2531 during business hours
- email Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
You can also find out about volunteering in Brisbane's natural areas and environment centres.