Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve

Location

Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve is located at Manooka Place, Kareela in Sutherland Shire, New South Wales, Australia. There is also a pedestrian entrance on Bates Drive, Kareela.

History

The reserve was established in the late 1960s to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of James Cook in Botany Bay in April 1770. The reserve was named after Joseph Banks (1743-1820), naturalist and patron of the sciences, who accompanied Cook and collected many botanical specimens around Botany Bay including from the new Banksia genus.

Flora

The reserve showcases a wide range of Australian native plants from around Australia in planted theme gardens including an acacia garden, sun-loving plants, rainforest, silver foliage garden, bush tucker, shade garden, fern garden and lily garden. The reserve also includes an unplanted natural area with original remnant Sydney sandstone vegetation. Over 500 plants are labelled with their botanical name.

Management

The reserve is managed by Sutherland Shire Council with staff onsite Monday to Friday, with volunteer assistance from the Australian Plants Society, Sutherland Group. Two volunteer working bees are held monthly: first Thursday of the month, 9 am to 12 noon with Sutherland Council Bushcare, and the first Sunday of the month, 9.30 am to 12 noon with the Australian Plants Society. Volunteers are welcome for weeding, pruning and planting.

Access and facilities

The reserve is open 7 days a week, 9 am to 5 pm. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. Free entry. The reserve has paved paths, toilets, picnic tables and woodfired BBQs. Some paths are accessible and suitable for people with mobility impairments.

References

Australian Plants Society, Sutherland Group (2016) Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve, www.sutherland.austplants.nsw.gov.au

Sutherland Shire Council (2016) Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve, www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au

O’Brian, P. (1987) Joseph Banks: A Life, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.