Canberra’s National Arboretum opening in February 2013: wood, trees, and forests

The new National Arboretum in the nation’s capital, Canberra, opens to the public in February 2013.

Canberra Times (November 2, 2012) announced the upcoming opening of the visitor’s centre at the $67 million National Arboretum. The centre has floor-to-ceiling windows to capture the expanse views of the natural reserves and trees of Canberra, the Bush Capital of Australia.

In addition, it has a domed roof which took 11 weeks to erect. It covers more than 2,000 square metres with more than 3,000 components and 8 layers. The Tasmanian oak beams were harvested from sustainably managed forests, with the longest beam at 56 metres. Measuring the roof from its centre, it is 11 metres high. The rock walled walkway to the visitor’s centre will be embedded with art glass of plant fossils and LED lighting which can be programmed to change colour. The interior and exterior rock walls are made from Wee Jasper bluestone.

The visitor’s centre will have a café and room for functions such as weddings and corporate dinners. There will also be separate rooms allocated to the national bonsai collection (currently exhibited at Commonwealth Park).

Almost all –87—of the planned forests in the National Arboretum have been planted. Many plants are still saplings, but over time, the forests will become a living exhibition of Australian and exotic trees.

The opening on February 2, 2013, will include family-oriented activities. However, as a prelude to the opening, the Voices in the Forest concert will be held on November 24, 2012.

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