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Royal Botanic Gardens
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.
How about making your visit to Royal Botanic Gardens even more unique? Remember to try a few of these activities:
Want to know what else there is to do at this popular attraction? We suggest purchasing a Sydney, Bondi Beach & Watsons Bay Shore Excursion Tour.
For many more activities, check out our Sydney things to do page.
Guide to Exploring Royal Botanic Gardens
Top Royal Botanic Gardens Hotel & Accommodation Deals
Per night/room
6 Jan. - 7 Jan.
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, NSWLocated in Sydney Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Museum of Contemporary Art and Circular Quay. The Rocks Markets and Sydney Observatory are also within 10 minutes. Wynyard Station is 6 minutes by foot and Sydney Circular Quay Station is 7 minutes.
Per night/room
17 Dec. - 18 Dec.
Hyatt Regency Sydney
161 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSWLocated in Darling Harbour, this luxury hotel is steps away from Wild Life Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Sydney Tower and Sydney Town Hall are also within 10 minutes. Wynyard Station is 8 minutes by foot and Town Hall Station is 9 minutes.
Per night/room
18 Dec. - 19 Dec.
Meriton Suites Sussex Street
234 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSWLocated in Darling Harbour, this luxury aparthotel is within a 5-minute walk of Sydney Town Hall and Queen Victoria Building. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Tower are also within 10 minutes. Town Hall Station is only a 4-minute walk and Convention Light Rail Station is 9 minutes.
Per night/room
17 Dec. - 18 Dec.
Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour
100 Murray Street, Sydney, NSWLocated in Darling Harbour, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Australian National Maritime Museum and Sydney Lyric Theatre. International Convention Centre Sydney and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium are also within 15 minutes. Pyrmont Bay Light Rail Station is only a 4-minute walk and Exhibition Light Rail Station is 6 minutes.
Per night/room
12 Jan. - 13 Jan.
InterContinental Sydney
117 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSWLocated in Sydney Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Circular Quay, Government House and Sydney Opera House. Royal Botanic Gardens and The Rocks Markets are also within 15 minutes. Sydney Circular Quay Station is only a 4-minute walk and Martin Place Station is 8 minutes.
Per night/room
22 Dec. - 23 Dec.
Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
11 Jamison Street, Sydney, NSWLocated in Sydney Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hyde Park and Central Park are also within 2 mi (3 km). Wynyard Station is only a 3-minute walk and Martin Place Station is 10 minutes.
Per night/room
27 Dec. - 28 Dec.
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
1 Martin Place, Sydney, NSWLocated in Sydney Central Business District, this luxury hotel is steps away from Castlereagh Street and Pitt Street Mall. Sydney Tower and Martin Place are also within 5 minutes. Martin Place Station is only a 3-minute walk and Wynyard Station is 6 minutes.
Per night/room
22 Dec. - 23 Dec.
Swissotel Sydney
68 Market Street, Sydney, NSWThis family-friendly Sydney hotel is located in the business district, steps away from Westfield Shopping Centre, Sydney Tower and Queen Victoria Building. Strand Arcade and The Galeries are also within 5 minutes. Town Hall Station is only a 4-minute walk and St. James Station is 5 minutes.