Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

The Royal Botanic Garden was founded by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1816, making it the oldest botanic garden in Australia. It covers around 30 hectares on the shores of Farm Cove, between the Sydney Opera House and the open parkland of The Domain, and its lawns, glasshouse and harbour-side paths make it the most pleasant green space in the city centre. Entry to the garden is free.

The garden is laid out as a series of themed areas, so it rewards wandering rather than following a fixed route. Look for the Calyx, an exhibition space that opened in 2016 and hosts changing plant displays, the Australian native rockery and the formal beds near the Palace Garden area. Government House stands just outside the garden's boundary to the north, and the sandstone sea wall curves around Farm Cove towards Mrs Macquarie's Point.

Beyond the plants, the garden holds a good deal of history. Farm Cove was where the colony's first farm was planted, and the garden's grounds sit on the Country of the Gadigal people, a story told through signage and guided programmes. Guided walks and other visitor programmes are listed on the official website.

Mrs Macquarie's Point is the best reason to walk to the far side of the garden. From here you get the well-known view across the water of the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge behind it, and it is especially popular around sunrise and sunset. The walk from the Opera House gates to the point along the foreshore takes around twenty minutes.

The garden suits families, joggers, picnickers and anyone who wants a break from sightseeing. Paths are mostly level near the harbour, though some areas have slopes and steps. There are cafés and toilets within the grounds. Opening hours change with the seasons, so check the official website for closing times, which are earlier in winter than in summer.

Several of Sydney's main sights are on the garden's edges. The Opera House is beside the northern gate, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is a short walk across The Domain, and Macquarie Street, with the State Library and Hyde Park Barracks, runs along the western side. Circular Quay and St James stations are both within walking distance, so the garden fits easily into a day spent in the city centre.