aerial view of royal botanic gardens, sydney

Getty Images


Southeast of the Opera House, this garden was established in 1816 and features plant life from around the world. Within the gardens are hothouses with palms and ferns, as well as the Calyx, a striking exhibition space featuring a curving glasshouse gallery with a wall of greenery and temporary plant-themed exhibitions. Grab a park map at any main entrance.

The gardens include the site of the colony's first paltry vegetable patch, but their history goes back much further than that; long before the convicts arrived, this was an initiation ground for the Gadigal (Cadigal) people. Free 1½-hour guided walks depart from the visitor centre (open 10am to 3pm) at 10.30am daily, plus 1pm on March to November weekdays. Book ahead for an Aboriginal Heritage Tour with an Indigenous guide.

A hop-on, hop-off tourist train runs a route around the main points of interest in the garden.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Sydney Conservatorium of Music

0.14 MILES

The castellated ‘Con’ was designed in 1817 by convict architect Francis Greenway as the stables and servants’ quarters of Governor Macquarie’s new house…

2. Government House

0.15 MILES

Set within the Royal Botanic Gardens, this Gothic sandstone mansion (built 1837–43) is the official residence of the Governor of NSW. Its lovely loggia…

3. Justice & Police Museum

0.21 MILES

In a sandstone building that once headquartered the Water Police, this atmospheric museum plunges you straight into Sydney noir. An assemblage of black…

4. Sydney Writers Walk

0.22 MILES

Metal discs cast into the promenade hold ruminations from Australian writers (and the odd literary visitor). The likes of Mark Twain, Germaine Greer,…

5. Calyx

0.27 MILES

This striking exhibition pavilion in the Botanic Garden incorporates a cool, curving glasshouse space with a living wall of greenery that requires some 18…

6. Museum of Sydney

0.28 MILES

Built on the site of Sydney’s first Government House, the MoS is a fragmented, storytelling museum, which uses installations to explore the city’s history…

7. Customs House Library

0.29 MILES

The elegant 1885 Customs House houses this three-level library. There's a great selection of international newspapers and magazines, internet access and…

8. Customs House

0.3 MILES

This elegant harbourside edifice (1885) has a democratic feel to it. It houses tourist information, a library, bars and restaurant options, including Cafe…