Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Historic botanical gardens in Hobart with rare Tasmanian and subantarctic plants
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart cover 14 hectares and date back to 1818, making them Australia’s second oldest botanical gardens. Visitors find historic trees, conservation collections of Tasmanian plants, and the unique Subantarctic Plant House, along with educational events and community exhibitions.
- Established in 1818, making it Australia's second oldest botanical garden
- Home to the world's only Subantarctic Plant House
- Features historic trees and rare Tasmanian plant collections
- Located within Hobart's Queens Domain
- Hosts educational and community events year-round
What is Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens?
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens stretch across 14 hectares within the Queens Domain in Hobart. The gardens feature historic plantings, significant trees from the nineteenth century, and collections of Tasmanian native plants. One highlight is the Subantarctic Plant House, where visitors can experience the cool, misty conditions of subantarctic islands and see rare plants from places like Macquarie Island. The gardens also have a visitor centre with a restaurant, souvenir shop, and gallery.
The history of Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Established in 1818, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are the second oldest in Australia. The site was originally used by the Muwinina people, with archaeological evidence of their presence going back over 5000 years. The gardens have grown to include historic trees and plant collections, some dating back to the nineteenth century, and have become a centre for conservation of Tasmanian plants.
What there is to see
The gardens are laid out with themed plant collections, significant trees, and display areas. The Subantarctic Plant House recreates the cold, damp climate of subantarctic islands for its rare plants, collected from places like Macquarie Island. The Patch, a working display garden, is also part of the grounds and is featured on gardening programs. The visitor centre offers amenities and changing exhibitions.
When to go
The gardens are open to the public and support community activities, such as art exhibitions and educational events. Annual events like Growing Your Future bring together students and organisations for horticultural education. The gardens also host special events, including sound and light shows as part of local festivals.
Parts and collections
The gardens contain a range of plant collections, including historic trees and conservation collections of Tasmanian species. The Subantarctic Plant House is unique in the world, displaying plants from high southern latitudes in a controlled environment. The Patch is a notable display garden within the grounds.
Why Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens matters
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens play a role in education and community life in Hobart. They are a place for learning about plants and the environment, hosting events for students and the public. The site also reflects the long history of the land, from Aboriginal use to its current role as a centre for conservation and horticultural display.
Questions people ask about Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Where are the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens located?
The gardens are in Hobart, Tasmania, within the Queens Domain area. They cover 14 hectares and are close to the city centre.
What is special about these gardens?
They are Australia’s second oldest botanical gardens and feature historic trees, rare Tasmanian plants, and the unique Subantarctic Plant House, which displays plants from subantarctic islands in a climate-controlled setting.
What can visitors see and do at the gardens?
Visitors can explore themed plant collections, see rare subantarctic plants, visit the Patch display garden, and enjoy exhibitions, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop at the visitor centre.
When were the gardens established?
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens were established in 1818, making them over 200 years old.
Are there educational activities at the gardens?
Yes, the gardens host educational events for students and the public, including annual career events and horticulture training programs.
Good reading and sources
- Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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