Australian National Botanic Gardens
A national botanic garden devoted to native Australian plants, with a rainforest gully, a red centre garden, and eucalyptus woodland all in one place.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens lie on the eastern slopes of Black Mountain. They cover about 40 hectares and grow around 6,000 native Australian species. Highlights include a rainforest gully kept moist by artificial mist, the Red Centre Garden, a rockery, and large numbers of grass trees and banksias. The gardens are rich in birdlife, and you are likely to see honeyeaters and Australian water dragons. Entry is free, though parking is paid. It is open roughly 8:30 to 17:00, and you can climb Black Mountain to the Telstra Tower from within the gardens. There are guided tours and a café. It is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre.
Opening hours
Daily 08:30–17:00 (extended in summer)
Nearby sights
- Telstra Tower (Black Mountain Tower)
- National Film and Sound Archive
- Lake Burley Griffin
- National Museum of Australia
- Captain Cook Memorial Jet
- Braddon (Lonsdale Street)
- Commonwealth Park & Floriade
- National Library of Australia