Hard launch your spring with a jam-packed day of activities at Wollongong Botanic Garden.
Key points:
- Nature Shake returns to Wollongong Bontanic Garden on Saturday 5 September 2026.
- The event promises free, hands-on nature-powered fun for the whole family.
- Activities run from 12pm to 4pm.
- Lord Mayor Tania Brown is hoping to beat her record in the popular Garden Gumboot Toss.
From bark canoe making and creek critter discoveries to native bee encounters and the return of the ever-popular Gumboot Toss, Nature Shake will again transform Wollongong Botanic Garden on Saturday 5 September 2026.
The free community event invites people of all ages to explore, create and connect with nature through a packed program of hands-on environmental activities.
Now in its third year, Nature Shake has become a popular annual celebration of the natural environment, encouraging the community to discover the fascinating plants, animals and ecosystems that make the Illawarra unique.
Wollongong City Council Education and Outreach Specialist Sam Crosby said the event was designed to help people experience nature in fun and memorable ways.
"Nature Shake is all about getting people outside, getting their hands dirty and discovering something new about the world around them," Ms Crosby said.
"There's so much to explore. You can spot birds with local experts, get up close to native bees, uncover tiny creatures living in our waterways, make seed bombs or simply enjoy a range of creative activities with family and friends.
"We know people are more likely to care for nature when they feel connected to it. Nature Shake creates opportunities for those moments of discovery and wonder, while having plenty of fun along the way."
Running from 12pm to 4pm, this year's program is bursting with hands-on adventures, from bark canoe making and creek critter discoveries to native bee encounters, bird spotting, seed bomb workshops and rainforest challenges. Visitors can get creative through art and poetry, learn about platypuses and local waterways, dance under the trees at a silent disco and vie for glory in the Garden Gumboot Toss, all while exploring the incredible biodiversity of the Illawarra.
The returning Garden Gumboot Toss will be hotly contested with four family passes to Symbio Wildlife Park, kindly donated by Symbio, up for grabs in the kids' category.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said Nature Shake highlighted the important role Wollongong Botanic Garden plays in bringing people, learning and nature together.
"Nature Shake is a fantastic example of how our Botanic Garden inspires curiosity, creativity and a deeper appreciation for the natural environment," Cr Brown said.
"The event offers something for everyone, whether you're a young child investigating bugs, a keen gardener looking for inspiration, or a Lord Mayor attempting to beat her gumboot toss record.
"It's a fun, welcoming event that celebrates our local environment and the many community groups and organisations working to protect and care for it."
The event will also feature food and refreshments, with visitors encouraged to make an afternoon of it and enjoy one of Wollongong's most beautiful community spaces.
Event details:
- Saturday 5 September 2026
- 12pm to 4pm
- Wollongong Botanic Garden
- Free entry
For the full program, event and transport information, visit wollongongbotanicgarden.com.au/nature-shake
