Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
4.5
About
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a major botanical Garden located in the heart of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Opened in 1816, the garden is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central Business District
The Sydney Central Business District is abuzz with energy. Power brokers run to and from high rise buildings and after-work drink places, high-end shoppers tour venues like the QVB, and fine diners frequent the many celebrity chef restaurants. For a dose of culture, walk to the NSW Art Gallery, or visit the Sydney Museum. To escape the hustle and bustle, reconnect with nature at the Sydney Botanical Gardens or picnic lunch at High Park. No matter your interest, be sure to check the full calendar of events hosted by the city, from the Sydney Festival in January to October’s Good Food Month at Hyde Park.
How to get there
  • Martin Place • 8 min walk
  • Circular Quay • 8 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
  • Melinda G
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands95 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a lovely stroll
    The Botanic Gardens are such a nice place to visit when in Sydney. It may not rise to the top of your list but as it is so convenient to access when by the Opera House, at least step into the gardens to transit somewhere else but it's definitely a nice stop to make on it's own. We loved the herb/medicinal garden especially. I want to return and do a tour offered by the gardens...perhaps next trip!
    Visited March 2023
    Written 21 March 2023
  • TVDad
    Tampa, Florida1,482 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful Place to Spend a Sunny Day. And it’s Free!
    This beautiful park is filled with colorful flowers, exotic trees and fascinating wildlife. And it’s free! It’s located on the harbor adjacent to the Sydney Opera House. We found ourselves there after an opera house tour. My wife and I strolled through the park for three hours and enjoyed it immensely! There are several free tours and others that cost money. But you can also download an app that guides you through the park. Pack a picnic lunch, or eat at one of several cafes in the park.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 March 2023
  • Jerlene Mcaveney
    Melbourne, Australia14 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing place to relax
    I visited the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney last week and I was amazed by the beauty and diversity of the plants and wildlife. The garden is located on the edge of the harbour, offering stunning views of the city and the water. I enjoyed walking through the themed gardens, learning about the history and culture of the garden, and relaxing at one of the cafés. The garden also has a modern exhibition space called The Calyx, where I saw a fascinating display of orchids. The garden is free to enter and has free wifi and an app to help you explore. I highly recommend visiting the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney if you are looking for an oasis in the city.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 March 2023
  • Deborah E
    Coffs Harbour, Australia166 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning gardens in an amazing location
    I stayed in Sydney for a week and my hotel was opposite the gardens. I walked and / or ran through the gardens every day and it was just divine. The gardens themselves are spectacular but the location on the harbour just makes it all the more spectacular. Absolutely worth a visit.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 30 March 2023
  • Vernman
    Joplin, Missouri189 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Huge, Amazing, Beautiful
    This is a huge amazing place. The specimen trees are incredible and worth the trip by themselves. I don’t think it would be possible to see the whole place it one day. It’s a great relaxing place to visit and take in as much as you can. Be prepared to walk a lot and bring whatever you need to protect yourself from the sun and or rain.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 April 2023
  • stevebintley
    Bedford, United Kingdom7,051 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing space
    This is one of the nicest open gardens I’ve come across and the fact it’s free to access and wander around is superb. There’s lots of different sections but each is really well kept and gorgeous to admire. Despite there being a fair number of people there on my visit it was still very peaceful and the perfect retreat from the city. With the waterfront at the bottom and a nice walk to the opera house it’s even more accessible and appealing and everyone should visit when in the city.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 26 April 2023
  • BorntocruiseUK
    Heathfield, United Kingdom11,197 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Peaceful, serene and free
    Not many things in this world are free but these gardens are. You could easily spend a few hours meandering around the numerous paths. Beautifully kept offering stunning views over Sydney. When we were there they had Alice in Wonderland on for which there was a fee to get in. Wow did those guys entertain the kids.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 June 2023
  • Shah Inder
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Gardens
    It is a wonderful garden ,with ancient trees growing which are so well maintained. Presence of the sea gulls, taking food from the visitors without any fear was enjoyable. We also saw the beautiful decorations in the garden for the Vivid show .
    Visited June 2023
    Written 28 June 2023
  • onitada
    Wellington, New Zealand104 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A wet day, during the school holidays. Quiet and peaceful.
    I found myslf in the gardens on a rainy day. Don't buy an umbrella from the gift shop in the gardens $31 later. Hey, I was desperate. I found myslf mostly emersed in the Cactus garden area, the variety, scale and size of these things. But here is so much more to explore, such as, at night with the lights festival.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 19 July 2023
  • kerynLALPrePrep
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So much to see in one garden space!
    You can spend a full day at the Sydney Botanical Gardens as there is so much to see and do. There are dedicated garden spaces such as the Camellia Garden, the Palace Rose Garden, and the Succulent Garden, to name a few. We ran out of time to see it all and we'll need to come back to see the Native Garden and the Palace Rose Garden with its 1,700 roses when they are in bloom - visiting in wintertime meant we missed that. The only downfall is that their maps are hard to follow. The cafe had lovely food and we didn't know until leaving that Luke Nguyen has a restaurant there, too. Another good excuse for a return visit. We loved our day visiting these gardens!!!
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 July 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles9,876 reviews
Excellent
7,065
Very good
2,451
Average
298
Poor
36
Terrible
27

Lisa F
15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Free entry, right near the opera house at circular quay. Accessible from Bondi Beach via the 333 bus. Great way to spend the day. Excellent coffee shop near the rose garden. Close to the Museum of Sydney (also free entry).
Written 17 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

shivnis
Auckland Central, New Zealand36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
A massive public park where you can walk around and see all sorts of beautiful gardens. I loved some of the buildings and the largest living wall.
Written 14 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Boomer
Jupiter, FL95 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Probably the nicest botanical garden we've ever seen.AND ITS FREE! Close to downtown and attractions. Great restaurants nearby transportation is available if needed it was a great attraction
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah W
Southampton, UK92 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Lovely views, (The Sydney Harbour Bridge, the opera house and the CBD) lots to see, peaceful walks, beautiful plants, had a nice chilled morning...........
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irina K
Toronto, Canada138 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Since our hotel was directly across the street from The Botanic Garden we went 3 times. Each time was different and wonderful! The gardens are huge and beautifully maintained with so many areas to wander in.
It was a fantastic surprise to discover that sulphur-crested cockatoos roam freely and loudly throughout the gardens. We couldn't get enough of looking at them!
You cannot go to Sydney without a visit to the garden.
Written 3 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah C
Ashtead, UK1,290 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
What a lovely way to send a couple of hours, wandering thought the gardens, enjoying the flora and people-watching too! It helps the weather was fab when we went
Written 27 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gabriele T
United States6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Beautiful place, amazing flowers, great restaurants. The garden is close to the boardwalk and you can walk all the way to the opera house area.
Highly recommend for any plant lovers.
Written 21 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jane
19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
Wonderful gardens with great view points. There’s a nice volunteer lady at the entrance that provides great advices. Seeing the free cacatoès was a highlight !
Written 21 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

leuveen
United Kingdom1,284 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
A beautiful, big botanical garden. There are several thenatic sections (herbs garden, rainforest, spring flowers etc.) to explore, one could easily spend a week there strolling around. It's hard to believe that entry to this place is free of charge.
Written 20 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bo S
Oakville, Canada21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Green escape from the hustle of the city. It seemed that all plants of the region were represented. Along the pathway you will find sculptures and Museum of South Wales . There is something to look at every corner. Highly recommend place .
Written 11 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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