Discover the Native Living Christmas Tree Trail

This Christmas, Barangaroo invites you to experience a celebration that’s uniquely Australian — the Native Living Christmas Trees trail, an immersive journey through art, culture, and the beauty of native flora.

Scattered throughout Barangaroo, these towering, living installations reimagine the festive season with a distinctly local touch. Each tree bursts with vibrant native plants and is adorned with breathtaking artwork by Bundjalung artist Rubyrose Bancroft, whose designs weave stories of connection, community, and Country.

As you wander the trail, take a closer look at the plants that bring each tree to life. In the spirit of connection, these native species reflect our deep bond with the Australian landscape:

• Adenanthos Sericeus (Woolly Bush) – This charming shrub, native to Western Australia, symbolises resilience and tranquillity. With its soft, silvery leaves and gentle texture, the woolly bush is often shaped into a Christmas tree, a fitting nod to the season’s warmth and renewal.
• Acmena Smithii (Native Lilly Pilly) – Found at Barangaroo Reserve and across the east coast, the Lilly Pilly’s glossy leaves, creamy-white flowers and colourful berries celebrate abundance. Traditionally, First Nations peoples used its fruit as a vitamin-rich food source and its leaves for medicinal healing, from soothing wounds to treating skin conditions.
• Westringia Fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary) – A hardy, evergreen shrub also found at Barangaroo Reserve, Coastal Rosemary thrives by the sea. Its delicate white to pale mauve flowers bloom year-round. Traditionally, its leaves and flowers were used to treat mouth ulcers and chest infections, symbolising strength and endurance.

Each tree not only showcases the beauty of native flora but also tells a deeper story, one of cultural heritage, sustainability, and the enduring connection between people and place.

Through Rubyrose Bancroft’s intricate patterns and storytelling, the installations honour the freshwater creeks, blue skies, and ancient gum trees of her Bundjalung homeland, reflecting the resilience and continuity of First Nations culture.

So this festive season, take a stroll through Barangaroo, follow the Native Living Christmas Tree Trail, and immerse yourself in a celebration where the spirit of Christmas meets the spirit of Country.