Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Welcome to Sydney’s favorite garden.

The Royal Botanic Garden opened in 1816 and covers 74 acres of land near the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. It’s in the perfect location for any Sydney visitor to access; you can arrive by foot, bus, train, or ferry from anywhere else in the city.

We spent two full days exploring the gardens. There’s something for everyone, whether you prefer to lounge in the open fields of grass, enjoy views of the harbor, take a guided tour by foot or train, take heaps of photos, or grab a coffee in the shade.

We’re suckers for plants so we spent most of our time zig-zagging between the various ecosystems, enjoying not only plants but also wildlife. Think giant spiders, flying foxes, and birds. Perhaps our favorite display of all was at the Calyx biome, which currently houses Plants with Bite. This spectacular collection of carniverous plants kept us entertained for quite a while, and we enjoyed it so much that we returned to it on our second visit.

If you find yourself in Sydney, definitely make some time to visit this oasis in the city.