Wildflower's Native Botanicals Display

Explore the immersive installation of native botanicals designed by Indigenous landcare experts, Wildflower.

Experience the essence of Country in the heart of The Rocks. Located in Circular Quay and First Fleet Park the immersive installation of native botanicals, tells a story of bush food discovery and the rich native ingredients that can be found in our very own backyard. 

Wildflower 
Discover a deeper connection to culture through the incredible world of bush foods by Wildflower, Indigenous-owned landcare experts based in Redfern. Their focus is using native plants to create beautiful, sustainable spaces that are culturally significant and help to reconnect people with Country. Wildflower's work contributes to both environmental and social sustainability, directly helping to close the gap in Indigenous employment and create positive role models within the community.


There are 4 gardens to explore:

Stop 1: The Forest
Begin your bush food discovery featuring the iconic eucalypts, known not only for their beauty but also for their potent antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Located in the understorey you will also find edible planting, including lomandra (edible young shoots and basket weaving), and a mixture of groundcovers.


Stop 2: The Serpent
Discover native plants used as condiments, spices, and infusions. Plants include warrigal greens, samphire, pepperberry, native mint, native oregano, native parsnip and youlk (edible roots). The use of these native plants is a direct expression of First Nations connection to Country, understanding what the land provides and how to use it sustainably.

Stop 3: The Pantry
Connect to First Nations culture and Country and learn how to make a three-course meal using native ingredients. You will find a smorgasbord of edible fruits, leaves and roots. Some of the plants in this garden include mountain pepperberry, lemon myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, midgin berry, winter apple, lemon scented tea tree, plum pine and grevillea (for its sweet nectar).

Stop 4: The Rocks
Did you know native grass seeds were used for making flour? One such is kangaroo grass (themeda australis) which remains a popular native grass used in both site remediation and landscaping today.

Lemon myrtle (backhousia citriodora): the leaves were used as an insect repellent when crushed and rubbed over the skin or thrown in the campfires. Leaves were also used for flavouring food during cooking. To this day, lemon myrtle remains a popular natural ingredient in the making of cosmetics, cooking (sweet and savoury) and medicinal remedies.

Explore more than 20 free events for Art & Culture Month this September!