
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a highly-rated harbourside garden with diverse plant life, open space, and views of the Opera House.
Visitors enjoy the rose garden, fernery, and various themed sections.
It’s free to enter, well-maintained, and popular for walks, picnics, and relaxation.
Some find the internal paths have mobility issues due to stairs and slopes, which can affect the overall experience of this otherwise highly-rated garden.
Visit Website
A D
June 8, 2025 at 01:46 PM
This is a worthy addition to my Sydney visit. Didn’t find the koala topiary unfortunately due to time constraints. Everything there is beautiful and it appears to be a highly popular place to walk around. Lots of cool birds.
Julio Yanes
April 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Coming from Vancouver, Canada, where we’re used to the lush greenery of Stanley Park, I was so impressed by the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney. It’s similar in the way it brings nature into the heart of the city, but with its own unique charm. The garden is a peaceful oasis right by the harbour, and it offers incredible views of the Opera House, especially when you’re winding through its winding paths — it’s like playing a game of hide-and-seek with iconic Sydney landmarks!
What really stood out to me was how beautifully the birds and nature seem to live in harmony with the visitors. There’s a sense of calm here that makes you feel completely at ease, as if the space was designed for relaxation and connection with the environment. From the Palm Grove with its towering palms to the vibrant seasonal displays at The Calyx, each section of the garden offers something special. I also loved the Rose Garden during spring — it was simply breathtaking.
The Bennelong Precinct, with its gorgeous views of the harbour, is another highlight. This place is a perfect spot for a peaceful stroll, a picnic, or just a moment of reflection. It reminds me a bit of Central Park in New York, where the city’s energy mixes beautifully with the surrounding nature.
What’s even better is that it’s free to enter, making it accessible to everyone. If you're in Sydney, don’t miss the Royal Botanic Garden — it’s an unforgettable experience that perfectly blends nature, history, and some of the best views in the city.
NotNow
April 25, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Spent a good few hours today at the Sydney botanical gardens following the Anzac Day March. Extremely well presented and maintained, and it was a beautiful day also. It is a botanists delight, with stunning views across the harbour towards the bridge and Opera house.
Vesna Novakovic
March 8, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Beautifully maintained gardens. Has so many areas for to find a quiet spot to sit and relax.
The huge trees are mesmerising as are many of the beautiful plants. We loved walking slowly from Hyde Park up to the Botanical Gardens to the Opera House. The green lush gardens are a gorgeous neighbour to the cement floors of the Opera House. Having the water views along the garden is stunning.
There were so many people yet with all the space there are so many areas to hide and have some quiet time. We loved sitting on the grass close to the water views.
The maintenance and horticulture teams definitely do a great job looking after the gardens. Some park drivers in their carts seemed to drive a little too quickly near people. I'm from Melbourne and at the Botanical Gardens the carts move slower than mt walking pace so I was surprised to see some speed so close to passing pedestrians. Friendly however I'd slow down the speed.
The gardens have a lot of stairs and hilly parts when in the middle section and may not be mobility friendly everywhere. Definitely more even surface near waters edge. Great place to walk and enjoy some nature and sit under a majestic tree.
Anusha Ramgoolam
February 23, 2025 at 08:26 AM
Beautiful and iconic garden. It's a great place to unwind and enjoy this beautiful city in all its glory. It's a popular picnic place and very frequently visited by families. Highly recommended to go there more often than you think. 😊🌻