Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

What it is

The Royal Botanic Garden wraps around Farm Cove on Sydney Harbour, between the Opera House and the headland called Mrs Macquarie's Point. It dates from 1816 and stands on Gadigal land, on the site of the first farm of the colony. Lawns shaded by enormous fig trees run down to the sea wall. There are beds of Australian native flowers, a rose garden, a succulent garden, a fernery, a palm grove and a glass pavilion called the Calyx with changing plant displays. In spring the garden is full of colour, and in November jacarandas flower here and across the city. Entry is free.

Before you go

• Walk the harbour path from the Opera House to Mrs Macquarie's Point.
• Join a tour led by an Aboriginal guide to learn how local plants were used.
• Early morning is cool and quiet. The garden opens at sunrise.

The flowers you will see

New South Wales waratahLarge red flowered shrub and emblem of New South Wales, AustraliaBanksiaAustralian wildflowers with tall flower spikes and woody conesRoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursCamelliaEvergreen shrubs and trees with showy blooms, best known for tea and garden flowers

Also part of it, and being written: Jacaranda mimosifolia.

Read more

Royal Botanic Garden SydneySydney’s historic 30-hectare botanical garden on the edge of the harbour

More in Sydney

🇦🇺 Sydney · All yearSydney Flower Market at dawnThe wholesale flower hall at Sydney Markets in Flemington, open to the public in the early hours. 🇦🇺 Perth · Jul to OctWildflower country north of PerthA spring road trip through the wheatbelt and coast of Western Australia, among carpets of everlastings. 🇦🇺 Perth · Aug to NovKings Park and the Western Australian Botanic GardenA bushland park above Perth with a botanic garden devoted to the flora of Western Australia. 🇦🇺 Grafton · Oct to NovGrafton Jacaranda FestivalA river town in New South Wales whose avenues of jacarandas flower for a long-running festival. 🇦🇺 Canberra · Sep to OctFloriade in CanberraAustralia's big spring bulb show, a month of tulips and annuals in a lakeside park. 🇦🇺 Melbourne · All yearRoyal Botanic Gardens MelbourneA landscaped garden of lakes, lawns and long views on the south bank of the Yarra.