Sydney’s 158-acre botanic garden, which hugs the harbor between Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the Sydney Opera House, is home to nearly 9,000 plant species. Depending on the season of your visit, you might seek out spring peaches and wisteria or tropical orchids and summer lotus flowers. On any occasion, don’t miss descendants of the 200-million-year-old Wollemi pine, a dinosaur of a conifer only discovered in 1994. The gardens are also studded with sculptures from historical statues to modern works by Bronwyn Oliver, Paul Selwood, and Keld Moseholm. The quartz-and-sandstone Wurrungwuri depicts an Aboriginal shield once used by the traditional owners of this land. Tours are offered throughout the year, including a 1.5-hour Aboriginal history tour on the food and medicinal properties of native Australian plants.
Pollination, The Calyx, Royal Botanical Gardens Sydney. 12/9/2017 Photo James Horan
James Horan, courtesy of Royal Botanic Garden
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The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Established in 1816, the 158-acre botanic garden is home to 8,900 plant species, including ancient eucalyptus and gum trees, as well as descendants of the 200-million-year-old Wollemi pine.
Strolls in Sydney
My perfect afternoon walk around Sydney harbor starts at Dawes Point Park, winds around Circular Quay, passes the Opera House, and traverses the Royal Botanical Gardens. Within the gardens, wander little paths, picnic under old-growth trees, visit the Sydney Fernery, or tour the Art Gallery of New South Wales—there are countless ways to spend the day here and frequent special events. Set aside some time for this walk and you won’t be disappointed.
Garden space in the center of Sydney
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens are just steps away from the bustle of the downtown core, and a place to escape for peaceful walks along leafy trails. Great views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and adjacent to the spectacular Art Gallery of NSW. #afarexperiences photo: Leanna Maione
Iconic Vistas at the Royal Botanical Gardens - Sydney, Australia
As a travel photographer I’m always looking for an interesting perspective even if the subject of the photo is an image that has become commonplace. Most landmarks become a popular image because they are indeed spectacular and worthy of their hype. When we travel we are always looking for something “active” to do and ways to be outside. A day at The Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney is a magnificent park to stroll around offering stellar vistas of some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks. I had seen the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House before, but there was something magnificent about taking it in from a distance.
Great escape from the city
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney are a massive area right on the water- perfect for picnics, tag football, or just sitting under a tree and reading a great book. We walked around the gardens for over an hour, admiring the different and unique trees and plants that we had never seen before.
Ibis Watching
I love a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens in the city center of Sydney. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon. I meandor about taking in all the variety of wonderful plantlife in the park, but, it’s the ibis that tend to catch my attention. These very large, black and white, prehistoric looking birds are friendly, curious and seem to well populate the park. LA offers the typical, sparrow and crow, but ibis,.....NO. I find them interesting, entertaining and good for a photo op.
