The internationally renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, returns to Adelaide Botanic Garden on 25 September, transforming the iconic Bicentennial Conservatory into a showcase of the world's most extraordinary nature photography.
South Australians and tourists to Adelaide can experience the powerful and thought-provoking wildlife images - captured across the globe - in the only venue in the world to host the exhibition amongst a living collection of lush rainforest plants.
The exhibition shines a light on powerful and fascinating images that capture hidden animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. Using photography's unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences, the images share stories and species from around the world, encouraging a future of advocating for the planet.
Widely regarded as the world's most prestigious wildlife photography competition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year was first launched in 1965 and now attracts entries from photographers in more than 113 countries and territories. The award-winning images tour internationally each year, captivating audiences worldwide and reaching more than a million visitors.
An accompanying program of activities in the Adelaide exhibition will include school holiday fun for children and a nature-themed photography competition for all ages. For those keen to see the photography exhibition after dark, the popular ticketed event, Gather in the Garden, will return in December 2026 and January 2027, where visitors will enjoy balmy evenings on the Gardens' lawns with live music, food and drinks as well as access to the wildlife photography exhibition plus another art show in the on-site Museum of Economic Botany, ‘Tools for Quiet Activism’ by South Australian artist Stephanie Doddridge.
The illuminated Palm House highlighting the Glacier Ice and Lapis Chandelier by Dale Chihuly will also feature in the summer program. Tickets for this event will be available in November.
Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium (BGSH) Director, Michael Harvey, said
“Wildlife Photographer of the Year offers our visitors an unforgettable journey into the natural world.
We’re once again proud to host this internationally celebrated exhibition at Adelaide Botanic Garden, where these extraordinary images can start meaningful conversations about conservation. Seeing them in the natural setting of the indoor forest of the Bicentennial Conservatory makes this a truly unique experience.
Each photograph reminds us of the beauty worth protecting and the responsibility we share to conserve the natural world. We hope visitors leave feeling inspired, informed and more connected to nature.”
Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum says,
“Now in its sixty-first year, we are thrilled to continue Wildlife Photographer of the Year as a powerful platform for visual storytelling, showing the diversity, beauty and complexity of the natural world and humanity's relationship to it. With the inclusion of our Biodiversity Intactness Index, this year’s exhibition will be our best combination of great artistry and groundbreaking science yet, helping visitors to become inspired to be advocates for our planet.”
Exhibition Information:
Location: Adelaide Botanic Garden, Bicentennial Conservatory (reference B5 on the map)
Dates: 25 September 2026 – 31 January 2027
Times: Open daily from 10:00am until 4:00pm (closed 25 December).
Tickets: $14 for adults, $12 for students and concession card holders, $44 for a family pass, $22 for a season pass for the duration of the exhibition.
Free entry for children 12 years and younger.
Museum x Garden ticket deal: Enjoy both the Garden's wildlife photography and SA Museum's nature photography exhibitions with a $22 adult and $20 concession joint ticket.
Tickets are available on the door or can be booked online.
Please note this is a cashless venue.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit
https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year
