BOTANIC GARDENS OF SYDNEY

Welcome to the Botanic Gardens Of Sydney

Welcome to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney! As we walk through the garden, let's take in the rich history and sensory experience of this beautiful space.

The land on which the garden sits has a long history, cultural significance and connection to its traditional owners. It was originally home to the Cadigal people, who had camps along the area formerly known as Farm Cove where they fished, hunted, and collected plants for food and medicine. In 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip established a farm at Farm Cove for growing crops to feed the early colony. In 1816, Governor Lachlan Macquarie transformed the area into a public garden, which later became known as the Royal Botanic Garden in 1859. The site is the oldest botanic gardens and scientific institution in the nation!

As we take a stroll, lose yourself in a diverse bouquet of scents wafting from an array of themed gardens – from the sweet floral perfume of the Palace Rose Gardens to the unique pungent scent of flowering Australian natives in the Rockery. Listen for the gleeful call of Laughing Kookaburras or the noisy chatter of rainbow lorikeets who call the Park home, and discover the Sensory Fountain located in the Herb Garden. Explore the varied textures of plants under your fingertips. The garden boasts over 8,000 different plant species from Australia and around the world.

Park Highlights

One highlight of our tour is a visit to the Palm Grove – home to some of the oldest and tallest palm trees in Australia. These specimens were planted in 1879 and have been designated as heritage items by the New South Wales government. Explore the shapes and textures of their towering trunks, as you cool down under the lush green canopy of this tropical jungle-like oasis. Imagine the reactions of the park’s first colonial visitors as they encountered these magnificent, exotic plants for the first time.

In a journey from old to new, we'll also visit The Calyx – a contemporary horticultural display space that opened in 2016 and showcases themed flower displays throughout the year. The Calyx also includes native plant displays that pay homage to Australia's native flora. In fact, one of its permanent exhibitions is called "Cadigal Gardens," named after the land’s original inhabitants. The Calyx also features tropical plants from Southeast Asia, Central America, and the Pacific Islands.

Not to be missed, the Cadi Jam Ora First Contact Garden is built on the site of the earliest connection between Aboriginal cultural groups and the first European settlers to Australia. The straight lines of the European-inspired gardens are interrupted by a large sandstone meeting area where you are invited to sit and reflect on the relationship between people, plants and culture, and explore the Aboriginal and shared history of this poignant cultural site.

Our tour ends with a visit to Mrs Macquarie's Chair – an iconic sandstone bench carved out of a rock ledge by convict labour in 1810, for Governor Macquarie's wife Elizabeth to sit and enjoy views over Farm Cove towards Sydney Harbour.

Interactive Experiences

The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney boasts a range of interactive experiences to keep you connected and immerse you in the history, highlights and happenings of the park. An interactive Garden app is available for download, offering audio self-guided walking tours, ‘around me now’ augmented reality experiences, Apple watch integration for real-time wayfinding and navigation and a host of other helpful information.

Guided walks by volunteer guides are also conducted daily, showcasing garden highlights and offering interesting insights into the park’s history for those short on time. If you’re keen to delve a little deeper, consider joining an Aboriginal cultural or bush tucker tour to discover the deep connections between people and place and learn from the traditional custodians of the land. A range of classes and workshops covering topics ranging from cooking to craft and all things horticultural are also conducted throughout the year. Check the ‘what’s on’ section of their website or app for all the details.

Accessibility:

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney welcomes all visitors and strives to create an accessible space for everyone. Accessible parking and an information booth are available near Woolloomooloo Gate. This is also one of the closest accessible entrances for visiting The Calyx. Accessible toilets are available in Palm Grove Centre, The Calyx and Mare and Foal Law (near Farm Cove). A free of charge manual wheelchair is also available for use from The Calyx. Please phone ahead to book before visiting. Wheelchair accessible paths wind throughout the gardens.

A range of public transport options are also available. The nearest railway station is Martin Place, and a range of bus stops and taxi drop-off points are located along the park’s boundaries.