The Friends Group was officially launched in 1991 by a group of people who were keen to support the Gardens and foster its development. After 20 years we are a mixture of plant lovers, gardeners, landscape designers, environmentalists, photographers and nature lovers. The group is now a vibrant group of more than 700 members who share a love of Australian plants and nature, and raise funds to support the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

Being a Friend gives you a special involvement in the ongoing development of Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne through the award-winning Australian Garden and the conservation of the important remnant bushland and its many creatures.

Friends may also participate in the following groups and activities:

Growing Friends propagate and grow plants for sale and use in the Gardens Education program. Herbarium Collectors gather and process plant material to preserve for the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and the National Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Seed Collectors collect and conserve seeds for use in the Friends Nursery, Botanical Illustrators work together, exhibit their works in local galleries, hold morning teas with guest speakers, and run botanical art classes, Botanical Fabricators work with fabrics themed on native plants, Friends In Focus have fun, learn about photography, take photos and enhance and practise photographic skills. The Basket makers create wonderful containers using Australian plant material.

Activities (garden visits, tours, talks, workshops and other social activities) are offered throughout the year, advertised through the website, our quarterly newsletter, Naturelink. and our monthly online newsletter Quicklink.