The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection — Attraction in District of Molonglo Valley

The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection display is truly outstanding, and the best thing is that it's free, although there is a donation box and all donations go to helping keep these beautiful Bonsai upkeep and here in Canberra...

There are approximately 75 Bonsai trees on display at any one-time and some variety of traditional and modern styles with the collection highlighting Australian native species, including Banksia and Eucalyptus!

Some of the Bonsai at the Arboretum have some real age about them, early 1900s,1935s, 1980s, and the list of ages go on!

Interesting facts about Bonsai Trees: The smallest bonsai tree in the world can fit in the palm of your hand, the most expensive bonsai tree in the world, was sold for $1.3 million. The history of bonsai cultivation dates back to 2000 years ago...

Here at the Arboretum, there is a large seating area inside and out with a cafeteria to grab a feed or a cappuccino, plenty of pay parking available with a good load of disabled parking close to the entrance...

There are also clean toilet facilities inside...

Lovely collection of bonsais. A nice patch with cacti - golden barrel, espostoas, cerus, notocacus lenighousii and various other succulents like sedums, agaves, aloes, etc. Liked the huge sloping lawns and treescaped hillsides. The slopes were being enjoyed by children flying kites, playing football and simply running around. Temperature was 10°C today but a good number of visitors had come. A microscope kept inside for viewing details of small flowers and fruits was a great learning tool for the children. The entire arborium being developed for preserving rare plants and trees is a great effort and I appreciate the efforts of the organisation...

The Collection consists of 120 exhibits with approximately 75 trees on display at any one time. The trees are a variety of traditional and modern styles with the Collection highlighting Australian native species including Banksia serrata and Eucalyptus camaldulensis’.

Many of the trees are owned by the Collection whilst others on loan from around Australia by the artists or their family. This allows for continued involvement with the community and enables for a dynamic and diverse collection that is always changing and providing new experiences...