Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
A seaside botanic garden beside the Opera House, established in 1816. It is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and is free to enter.
The Royal Botanic Garden, established in 1816, is Australia’s oldest scientific institution. Covering about 30 hectares, it stretches from the Sydney Opera House to Farm Cove and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Along the harbour walk you can see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge together. The garden includes the tropical glasshouse “The Calyx,” native Australian plant areas, a rose garden and a fern garden. White ibises and sulphur-crested cockatoos are often seen on the lawns. The garden offers a paid Aboriginal cultural tour that explains the plant knowledge of the Gadigal people. Entry is free. It can be reached on foot from Circular Quay or Martin Place, and it makes an ideal half-day stroll after visiting the Opera House. You can also walk from here to the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Opening hours
7:00 am until sunset (varies by season)
Nearby sights
- Mrs Macquarie's Chair
- Sydney Opera House
- Art Gallery of New South Wales
- Circular Quay
- Hyde Park Barracks
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
- The Rocks
- St Mary's Cathedral & Hyde Park