Royal Botanic Gardens Tours

Royal Botanic Gardens which includes a garden, general coastal views and boating
Escape Sydney’s busy downtown and enjoy the winding pathways, art installations and rose gardens of this lush haven.

Take a break from the bustle of downtown Sydney in the colorful Royal Botanic Gardens. With visually stunning flower plots, intriguing artworks spread throughout the gardens and easy access to nearby attractions, it makes a great addition to any itinerary.

Located on land that was deemed too infertile for farming, the environment is testament to the determination of 19th-century botanist Charles Fraser, who is most famous for naming thousands of Australian plants. He developed the infertile soil and collected and studied the fauna that turned the plot into a world-renowned garden. Come to see the fruits of his labor with such early plantings as the majestic Moreton Bay figs that now dominate the landscape.

Take a stroll through one of the garden’s flower exhibitions, such as the Camellia Garden that hosts many different Australian-bred species of the beautiful bloom. Don’t miss out on the Begonia Garden, where you can learn how to grow your own begonias. Walk through the Palace Rose Garden with its 1,800 roses. Signs give information on the species and benches are provided for relaxing.

See some of Australia’s most beautiful native tree life on the rainforest walk. The Palm Grove has one of Australia’s best collections of palm trees. The rare Wollemi pine and the formally manicured gardens of Government House in the gardens’ northwest are also well worth a visit.

Eat lunch at the central garden shop and restaurant.

Take a guided tour of the gardens on Monday to Friday to learn about the Aboriginal heritage of the site. Alternatively, pick up a map from the central information center and take a self-guided tour of the garden’s spectacular art installations, including the over-scaled seed sculptures by Bronwyn Oliver located near the central main pond.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are located on the Sydney Harbour, a short walk from Circular Quay in downtown. Come by ferry or catch the train to Martin Place, a 10-minute walk away from the gardens. If you come by car, pay to park in the surrounding streets.

The gardens are open daily and entry is free.

Plan a trip to see Royal Botanic Gardens

YEHS Hotel Sydney CBD
YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites
YEHS Hotel Sydney QVB
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Royal Botanic Gardens

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
432
" "5 - Excellent 72.36180904522612%
4 - Good
149
" "4 - Good 24.958123953098827%
3 - Okay
15
" "3 - Okay 2.512562814070352%
2 - Disappointing
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" "2 - Disappointing 0.16750418760469013%
1 - Terrible
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5/5 - Excellent

David
Apr 5, 2020

Don't feed the birds bread unless you want masses of cockatoos landing on your head, shoulders etc. A very nice park with lots of interesting gardens and plants to see.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 15, 2019

Beautiful gardens and bird sanctuary - we saw a kookaburra.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 16, 2019

Outstanding! Plan to spend at least a couple of hours and then walk along the harbor walk to the Opera House

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 5, 2019

great for a stroll in the evening. perfect for photos!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 29, 2018

The parks in Sydney are lovely.  Scenic, descriptive of the plant life, serene and overall time well spent.

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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.