Botanic Gardens

Sydney's Botanic Gardens is a magic place to have lunch when in Sydney's central business district. There is a nice restaurant in the middle, another in the adjoining domain, and a number of food shops surrounding the gardens.

The Botanic Gardens are formally named the Royal Botanic Gardens. It is part of a group that includes Mt Annan Botanic gardens and Mt Tomah Botanic gardens.

The Botanic Gardens in Sydney have a collection of European and Asian trees, flowers from around the world and a dedicated rose garden that is currently being rebuilt. The National Herbarium of NSW lives here. There is a display of grass varieties so locals can see what is most suitable for their gardens. Statues are planted everywhere.

The most impressive part of our Botanic gardens is the large sign at the entrance where I walk in at lunch time. The sign says

Please walk on the grass

Maps

How do you get to the gardens? The following link takes you to the map page of the Web site for the Botanic Gardens

www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome/royal_botanic_garden/planning_your_visit/map_and_photos

Mt Annan

Mt Annan Botanic Gardens are 1.5 hours south of the Sydney Botanic Gardens and much larger. Mt Annan is 410 hectares (1013 acres) of Australian native plants. There are currently 4000 species planted at Mt Annan.

Mt Tomah

Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens are 1.5 hours west of the Sydney Botanic Gardens and 1000 metres (3280 feet) higher. Mt Tomah is almost continually in cool mist overnight so is the perfect place for rhododendrons and other cool climate plants.