Behind the Garden Gate Auction
Ever wondered what happens behind-the-scenes at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney?
This December, Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens will open the doors to a world few ever get to see. Offering a collection of rare, once-in-a-lifetime experiences in our first-ever Behind the Garden Gate Auction to celebrate and support the plants, science, and incredible experts who make it all possible.
From a private orchid house tour at Royal Botanic Garden to a personal consultation with one of our horticultural experts in your very own garden, these experiences are designed to be meaningful and memorable, connecting you more deeply with the Gardens while supporting the Botanic Gardens of Sydney’s mission to protect Australia’s biodiversity.
But hurry! These exclusive experiences are limited, in high demand, and sure to sell fast. Place your bid or make a purchase today to experience the Botanic Gardens of Sydney like never before.
Bidding closes 8PM, Sunday 14 December 2025.
All proceeds from this auction will go towards protecting and growing the Living Collections at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, a sanctuary for plant species facing extinction. Home to more than 12,000 species, these collections are vital to the future of conservation and horticultural science.
Auction terms and conditions
This auction is run by Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd. By placing a bid in this auction, each bidder agrees to the auction rules as detailed below:
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Auction Dates: The online auction will commence at 10:00 AM on Monday, 1 December 2025, and will close at 8:00 PM on Sunday, 14 December 2025.
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Bidding Agreement: By placing a bid, you are entering into a binding agreement to purchase the experience at the offered price if you are the highest bidder at the close of the auction.
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Prices: All prices are in AUD and inclusive of GST.
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Winning Bid: If the experience has not been purchased via the 'Buy Now' option, the highest bid at the close of the auction will be deemed the winner. In the event of a bidding error, please contact us immediately to retract the bid. Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd reserves the right to offer the experience to the second-highest bidder in such cases.
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Experience Redemption: Each auction experience includes a two-year validity period from the auction close date and must be used by 14 December 2027. Winners must contact Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens using the details provided in their winner confirmation email to book their experience. All bookings are subject to staff and site availability, seasonal conditions, and operational constraints of the Gardens. Some minor details of the experience may be adjusted to suit your preferences and the host’s schedule. If any changes are required, we will contact you directly to confirm. Availability this year is subject to staff scheduling, so the experience may or may not be bookable immediately.
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Sales Are Final: All sales are final. No exchanges or refunds will be made unless otherwise noted.
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Experience Redemption: Each auction experience includes a two-year validity period from the auction close date and must be used by 14 December 2027. Winners must contact Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens using the details provided in their winner confirmation email to book their experience. All bookings are subject to staff and site availability, seasonal conditions, and operational constraints of the Gardens. Unless otherwise stated, travel, accommodation, and incidental costs are not included.
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Payment: Payment for items must be made in full via the auction platform by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, 2 days after notification of being the winning bidder is received Should payment not be made, Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd reserves the right to offer the item to the second-highest bidder.
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Donations: Payment for an experience does not constitute a donation to the Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd. Tax-deductible donations can be made separately to Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Trust via the auction page, to support the ongoing scientific research, conservation, horticulture, and education programs of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
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Privacy: Personal information collected during the auction will be handled in accordance with the Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens Privacy Policy.
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Liability: Participants take part in all experiences at their own risk. Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd accept no liability for any injury, loss, or damage sustained as part of participation in any experience, except where required by law.
About Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens
Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting the scientific, cultural, horticultural, educational, and conservation programs of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
We proudly have over 4,000 members and 350 volunteers across the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. Like our plants, we grow bigger and stronger every year, thanks to the dedication and support of our donors, volunteers, and supporters.
