Information, objectives and tours

Information

The arboretum is open every day during daylight hours except on Fire Ban Days, metropolitan and Mt Lofty Ranges fire districts (CFS Hotline 1300 362361).

The arboretum is a vital biodiversity hotspot in the heart of the city, home to wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, ducks, lizards, echidnas and more. To protect these unique animals, dogs and cats are not permitted. Only guide dogs permitted.

Autumn brings outbreaks of Deathcap mushrooms in the Waite Arboretum. Ingestion of even a small amount of the mushroom will cause serious illness and may be fatal. You are advised not to pick or eat any wild mushrooms from the Waite Campus as poisonous mushrooms may resemble edible ones. Information about Deathcap mushrooms can be found on the Australian National Botanical Gardens website.

Our Arboretum and Gardens are supported by:

Learn more about the Waite Arboretum Logo, Dracaena draco tree.

Objectivies

To assess the performance of Australian and exotic trees to the local environment without supplementary water.
To maintain, document and develop the collection as a valuable resource for teaching and research.
To offer a welcoming space for passive recreation with guided walks and interpretive material.
To conserve biodiversity through plantings of tree species endangered in the wild.

Arboretum tours

Monthly free guided tours

Free guided tours of the Waite Arboretum are led by experienced Friends of the Waite Arboretum Guides on the first Sunday of each month (except January), from 11:00am to 12:30pm. Meet at the Urrbrae House west lawn (Croquet Lawn). Bookings are not required unless you are in a group of five or more.

Tours operate on a guide-to-visitor ratio of 1:15; if attendance exceeds this limit, places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors unable to join the tour are encouraged to explore using the Waite Arboretum App for a self-guided experience.

Booked tours

Groups of 10 or more can book guided walks on days other than Wednesdays by arrangement with the Arboretum office. Walks run for about 90 minutes (shorter tours available) and are led by guides knowledgeable in the Arboretum’s history and features. Fees apply. School tours are free of charge.

Self-guided tours

Self-guided walking trails designed around specific themes are available using the Waite Arboretum App.

Waite Arboretum App - Google Play Waite Arboretum App - Apple Store

Recommendations

Please ensure weather appropriate clothing is worn, including rain attire in wet weather. Closed sturdy shoes are recommended. In summer a hat, water and sunscreen are essential.

Cancellation

Tours of the Waite Arboretum are cancelled in the event of a forecasted temperature of 35°C or higher, a Total Ban is declared for Adelaide Metropolitan and/or Mount Lofty Ranges, heavy rain, or thunderstorms. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website/app.

Christmas Day closure

No vehicle access via Walter Young Avenue to the Waite Arboretum and Urrbrae House gardens on Christmas Day. The Urrbrae House carpark is closed. Access to the Waite Arboretum and the gardens is by foot traffic only. The toilet facilities block in the gardens is closed.

Note

Urrbrae House tours are booked separately. Please, contact Urrbrae House staff at 8313 7110/7497 for bookings.

Parking

Free parking is available in the Urrbrae House carpark on Walter Young Avenue, Urrbrae. Please note that the car park is not paved.

For directions on how to arrive to the Waite Arboretum please visit the Visitor information / How the get there pages.

Contact us

Waite Historic Precinct

(08) 8313 7497

urrbraehouse@adelaide.edu.au