Royal Botanic Gardens

One of Sydney's greatest assets, from in front of the State Art Gallery, out to Mrs Macquaries chair, across to Farm Cove and onto the Sydney Opera House. The Gardens back onto the historic Sydney Hospital and Parliament House. This is the oldest scientific institution in the country and home to an outstanding collection of plants from Australia and overseas. The Domain surrounds the Royal Botanic Gardens. The walk along the harbour's edge (Farm Cove) from the Opera House (Queen Elizabeth II gate) to Mrs Macquarie's Chair (Yurong Gate) is for many the epitome of a Sydney experience. The Gardens have an example of the Wollemi Pine, raised from a seed collected from a handful of trees discovered in the wilderness and unchanged since the dinosaurs. A tropical pyramid holds examples of tropical vegetation in a controlled humidity atmosphere. See the rose garden, herb garden and succulent section. The collection has many varieties of Australian plants and grasses. During the summer months there are often open air night time film screenings inside the Botanic Gardens, entry charges normally apply to those screenings.

• museum
• outdoors
• history

Address

Mrs Macquaries Rd

Getting there

Bus: the 441 (Balmain via QVB Building) leaves York Street, Town Hall on weekdays, stopping outside the Art Gallery of NSW. The Sydney Sightseeing Bus also includes the Royal Botanic Gardens on its route, the nearest train stations are St James and Martin Place. Both are 10 minutes walk. There are gates all around the gardens, including at the Opera House, at the corner of Bridge and Macquarie Streets near the Conservatorium of Music, opposite the Mitchell Library on Macquarie Street (Marshead Fountain Gate), or near the Art Gallery

Hours

The gardens are open from sunrise to sunset. It is fully fenced, so take care not to get locked in at closing time

Price

There are no access charges to enter the Botanic Gardens (except for the tropical pyramid)

Website

rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au (opens in a new tab)