Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens

Sep 14, 2014, Updated Jun 24, 2024

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The Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, established in 1816, is a lush, expansive garden offering visitors stunning views of Sydney Harbour, diverse plant collections, and tranquil walking paths in the heart of the city.

While staying in Sydney, we were looking for inexpensive (read: free) things to do that would give us unique and interesting views of the city. While my mom headed for a bus tour of the city, my cousin and I decided we wanted to meander through the Royal Botanic Gardens- a massive sprawling refuge nestling the city and the harbour with big, beautiful trees and plenty of gorgeous views.

As we were visiting during Australia’s winter, there were a lot of plants that were dormant for the season, but there were still plenty of beautiful views to take in, coupled with wonderful walking grounds and lots of history! If you find yourself in Sydney and looking for a beautiful, quiet and reflective experience, you need to check out the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The Botanic Gardens were founded 1816, and is home to lots of statues, memorials, Australian horticulture, native birds and animals. And oh yea, Flying foxes. I actually didn’t see any there (I was also expressly not looking for them… eep!), but I did get to see some in Brsbane at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, so I felt I was good for the trip.

As you enter, you see plenty of beautiful gardens (imagine how much more lush they are in summer), luring your further and further into the park.

In the middle of the park, there are a few “rainforest walks” simulating Australia’s rainforest growth. It was lovely and serene!

There is also an unbelievably large and beautiful Glass House Pyramid housing tropical plants- but it is sadly under construction for another year. It was great to peek inside though!

I loved seeing beautiful examples of Australia’s native plants. Friends down under- what is this furry pine-cone called?

After you’ve walked through the park, you can head down for a lovely stroll along the harbour all the way to the Opera House. This was hands down one of my favorite views of the city!

walkway along the harbour, royal botanic gardens, sydney

MOre Travel Tips

When traveling to Sydney, consider purchasing an Opal card for convenient access to public transportation, including buses, trains, and ferries, to explore the city’s diverse attractions efficiently. Additionally, plan your visit during the shoulder seasons (March to May or September to November) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Check out more travel tips here: