World’s best wildlife photography is returning to Adelaide’s indoor rainforest with Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

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Pictured: (c) Bidyut Kalita, Wildlife Photographer of the Year (image 50)

Some of the world’s most incredible wildlife photography is about to take over an Adelaide indoor rainforest, as the internationally renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition returns to Adelaide Botanic Garden.

Opening on Friday, September 25th, the exhibition will transform the Bicentennial Conservatory into a showcase of images captured in some of the wildest corners of the planet.

And there’s a pretty special reason to see it in Adelaide, as the city is the only venue in the world where the exhibition is displayed among a living collection of lush rainforest plants.

The exhibition is on loan from London’s Natural History Museum and features powerful photographs revealing fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the incredible diversity of the natural world.

Rather than simply showcasing beautiful images, Wildlife Photographer of the Year uses photography to tell stories about the planet and the creatures that inhabit it, encouraging visitors to think about the natural world and what can be done to protect it.

The competition behind the exhibition is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious wildlife photography competitions in the world.

(c) Bence Máté, Wildlife Photographer of the Year (image 38)

First launched in 1965, Wildlife Photographer of the Year now attracts entries from photographers across more than 113 countries and territories. Its winning images travel each year internationally, reaching more than a million visitors around the world.

Now, Adelaide audiences will have the chance to see the latest collection up close, surrounded by the greenery of the Bicentennial Conservatory.

Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium 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.”

Adelaide Botanic Garden will host a program of activities alongside the exhibition, including school holiday activities for children and a nature-themed photography competition open to all ages.

The exhibition will also form part of the Garden’s summer program, with the popular Gather in the Garden returning in December 2026 and January 2027.

The ticketed evening events will bring live music, food and drinks to the Garden’s lawns, while giving visitors after-dark access to Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Museum of Economic Botany’s exhibition Tools for Quiet Activism by South Australian artist Stephanie Doddridge.

The summer program will also feature the illuminated Palm House, including Dale Chihuly’s Glacier Ice and Lapis Chandelier. Tickets for Gather in the Garden will go on sale in November.

For now, visitors can step into the Bicentennial Conservatory from September 25 and experience the wildlife exhibition during the day.

Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes mirabilis) under ultraviolet light

Wildlife Photographer of the Year will be on display at Adelaide Botanic Garden until January 31st, giving South Australians and visitors several months to wander through the indoor rainforest and see some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife photography in an equally remarkable setting.