Attractions

Subantarctic Plant House

One of the most exciting and unusual collections at [Photo]the Gardens is nestled inside a small, specially constructed building. There's no other collection like it, anywhere in the world.

Here, plants from subantarctic islands in high southern latitudes are displayed in a climatically-controlled environment, where chilly fogs and mists mirror the wet, cold conditions of their island homes.

The plants of the Subantarctic Plant House have been collected by Gardens staff and associated scientists on field trips to Macquarie Island.

The experience has become even more realistic following the installation of an immersive audio soundscape of the Macquarie Island environment.

The sounds were recorded by ABC Radio National producer Margot Foster and Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife officer Noel Carmichael, then edited and mixed by Margot back at the ABC. Margot visited the subantarctic islands and Antarctica during 2005 as part of the Antarctic Division’s Arts Fellowship Program.

Visitors will hear the sounds of wildlife from the Island during various seasons, including an Elephant seal harem, fur seals, colonies of various species of penguins, albatross and skuas, as well as the ever-present wind and rain.