Melbourne Gardens hosts Design X Nature until 18 October
Published on 10/04/2026 at 04:38 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Melbourne Gardens hosts Design X Nature (Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne) from 25 September to 18 October 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. The outdoor exhibition occupies the Australian Drylands Precinct, while a related programme of walks, talks and workshops runs from 2 October to 17 October 2026.
Design X Nature brings new work to Melbourne Gardens
The exhibition considers how natural systems can influence creative practice, material experimentation and ecological thinking. It is presented by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in association with Melbourne Fringe and RMIT University.
The programme brings together works by Courtney Coombs, Cara Johnson, Bethany Kiss and Soft Meadow Collective. The commissions grew from a 2025 research lab residency at Melbourne Gardens, where artists, designers and Gardens experts explored nature-led design. The exhibition is listed as free, with visitors able to drop in during its event dates, as stated by the organiser in its Design X Nature programme.
The Australian Drylands gives the exhibition its setting
The Australian Drylands Precinct is a living gallery for the exhibition, linking the displayed works with a landscape of native plants suited to hotter and drier conditions. This setting gives the event a direct connection to its subject: the visitor moves through plant collections while considering how design can respond to ecological change.
Melbourne Gardens was first established in 1846 on the land of the Kulin Nation. The 38 hectare site contains more than 23 plant collections and over 8,000 plant species, as well as the National Herbarium of Victoria and the historic Melbourne Observatory. Its scientific and horticultural functions place the exhibition within an active research landscape rather than a conventional gallery.
October programme adds walks talks and workshops
The related programme begins on 2 October 2026 and ends on 17 October 2026. It includes an artist-in-residence presentation by Cara Johnson, a nature journaling workshop, a bird ecology walk led by Dr Jacinta Humphrey, a workshop on climate-resilient landscapes and a Queer Ecologies panel discussion.
The activities extend the exhibition's themes into observation, urban ecology and horticulture. The organiser places the sessions in the Australian Drylands Precinct, where the programme complements new commissions by Coombs, Johnson, Kiss and Soft Meadow Collective. The Melbourne event listing also identifies the Gardens as the venue and describes Design X Nature as a free event.
Visiting Melbourne Gardens: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Design X Nature runs from 25 September to 18 October 2026 in the Australian Drylands Precinct. The associated walks, talks and workshops run from 2 October to 17 October 2026.
- The exhibition is free and visitors can drop in during the event dates. Individual workshops and walks have separate arrangements, including bookings for some sessions.
- The Gardens are at Birdwood Avenue in Melbourne, with the exhibition and related programme located in the Australian Drylands Precinct.
- The site covers 38 hectares and includes winding paths through Australian dryland plantings, native flowering meadows and established living collections.
- Australia's official language is English and its national currency is the Australian dollar.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Melbourne Gardens
When does Design X Nature take place at Melbourne Gardens?
The exhibition runs from 25 September to 18 October 2026. Its related walks, talks and workshops run from 2 October to 17 October 2026.
What is Design X Nature at Melbourne Gardens?
It is an outdoor exhibition about nature-led design, material experimentation and ecological thinking, featuring works by four named artists and collectives.
Where is Melbourne Gardens and how do you get there?
Melbourne Gardens is on Birdwood Avenue in Melbourne, Australia. Design X Nature is in the Australian Drylands Precinct.
