Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Royal Botanic Gardens
1
The Royal Botanic Gardens, an oasis of 30 ha
(74 acres) in the heart of the city, occupy a
superb position, wrapped around Farm Cove
at the harbour's edge. Established in 1816 as a
series of pathways through shrubbery, they are
the oldest scientific institution in the country
and house an outstanding collection of plants
from Australia and overseas. A living museum,
the gardens are also the site of the first farm in the fledgling
colony. Fountains, statues and monuments are today
scattered throughout. Plant specimens collected
by Joseph Banks on Captain James Cook's epic
voyage along the east coast of Australia in
1770 are displayed in the National Herb-
arium of New South Wales, an important
centre for research on Australian plants.
BOTANIC
GARDENS AND
THE DOMAIN
CITY
CENTRE
KINGS
CROSS AND
DARLINGHURST
Statue in the
Botanic Gardens
LOCATOR MAP
See
Street Finder,
maps 1 & 2
Government
House (1897)
.
Palm Grove
Begun in 1862, this cool summer haven
is one of the world's finest outdoor col-
lections of palms. There are about 180
species. Borders planted with kaffir lilies
make a colourful display in springtime.
.
Herb Garden
Herbs from around the world
used for a wide variety of pur-
poses - culinary, medicinal
and aromatic - are on display
here. A sensory fountain and
a sundial modelled on the celes-
tial sphere are also features.
.
Sydney Tropical Centre
Two glasshouses contain trop-
ical ecosystems in miniature.
Native vegetation is displayed
in the Pyramid, while the Arc
holds plants not found locally,
commonly known as exotics.
