Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney 2024

A world of discovery awaits you at a major botanical garden in the heart of Sydney

Best time: late August–early October | December–March (all year round)

The Royal Botanic Garden is a green oasis of 30 hectares, wrapped around Farm Cove on the edge of Sydney Harbour and occupying one of Sydney's most spectacular areas. They are adjacent to the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney central business district, and the vast public parklands of the Domain.

The Royal Botanic Garden was established in 1816 and are now home to a collection of exotic plants from Australia and overseas as well as the oldest scientific institution in the country. The Garden contains threatened and rare plants of the world; you can explore the themed garden areas showing the diverse beauty of nature as well as a romantic rose garden.

Check out Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters, a garden display that acknowledges and remembers the original inhabitants of Sydney—the Cadigal—and shows their relationship with this land.

In 2016, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney built a new world-class attraction—the Calyx. This contemporary glasshouse showcases flower exhibitions like Pollination, to demonstrate the importance of colour in the flower pollination process. The building also offers an onsite cafe to its visitors. The Calyx has hosted a range of glittering events.

The Royal Botanic Garden is open daily throughout the year and the entry is free. Even though it's a year-round attraction, each season brings its own and delights at the Garden. Peak flowering times run from late August to early October and December to March, so you know the best time to be at the Royal Botanic Garden.

Practical info

What is the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney known for?

The Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney contains a remarkable collection of exotic plants sourced from Australia and around the world. It also features thematic gardens showcasing the diverse beauty of nature, a romantic rose garden, and Cadi Jam Ora, a display that acknowledges the city’s original inhabitants. For visitors interested in flora, the contemporary glasshouse known as The Calyx is a must-see attraction that houses striking flower exhibitions.

When is the peak season to visit the Royal Botanic Garden?

The ideal time to visit the Royal Botanic Garden is when the exotic plants and flowers are in full bloom that is late August to early October and December to March. However, tourists and locals alike can visit the garden year-round because the beauty of this 30-hectare green oasis are not limited to flowering seasons; it offers a chance to experience seasonal delights as well.

What is the significance of Cadi Jam Ora display in the Royal Botanic Garden?

Cadi Jam Ora is a themed garden area at the Royal Botanic Garden that pays homage to the people who lived on the land before it became a garden, the Cadigal. The display provides insights about their culture, relationship with the land, traditional practices such as using native plants as medicine, and is an opportunity for visitors to learn about the rich history of the Aboriginal people.

What makes The Calyx a world-renowned attraction?

The Calyx is a state-of-the-art glasshouse located within the Royal Botanic Garden that is known for its innovative design and exhibitions. Visitors can experience flower exhibitions, interactive workshops, and immersive displays that are focused on the significance of plants to the environment and human well-being. The building also boasts an in-house café, making it an ideal destination to unwind while relishing the picturesque scenery.

Do visitors need to pay to enter the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney?

Entry to the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney is absolutely free for everyone, whether they are tourists or locals. It is open every day of the year without charging any admission fees, providing all visitors the opportunity to appreciate the 30 hectares of green space that the garden offers. Regularly held events also give visitors a chance to interact with and view the Gardens from different perspectives.