Bendora Arboretum

Bendora Arboretum is a research facility in a national park that features 52 different tree species arranged in systematic groups across over 70 hectares of land. The site spreads across varied terrain and offers different paths for exploring this collection.

A researcher established this facility in 1940 to find out which tree species would be suitable for forestry in the Canberra region. The work helped develop forest management practices in this part of Australia.

The name Bendora comes from scientific work by Dr. Lane Poole in 1940 and reflects the important role this place played in Australian forestry research. The trees planted here show the diversity of species that researchers at the time considered suitable for the region.

The site is equipped with marked trails and information signs to help you navigate the different areas. A walk through the entire facility takes about one and a half hours, and there are picnic areas for resting.

The site survived a devastating bushfire in 2003, which demonstrated the resilience of the carefully selected tree species here under extreme conditions. This made the place a valuable example of species survival in fire.