Royal Botanic Gardens: A Green Haven in the Heart of the City
Established in 1816, the Royal Botanic Gardens are the green lungs of the city, covering a sprawling 30 hectares (74 acres) from Circular Quay to Woolloomooloo Bay. The Royal Botanic Gardens are home to over 1 million specimens, some of which were planted by the newly arrived British colonists over 200 years ago.
Offering a tranquil place to unwind within a short stroll of the city centre, the gardens are perfect for picnickers, walkers and joggers as well as the botanically inclined. The Royal Botanic Gardens are free to access and open every day of the year.
Sealed walking tracks and wheelchair accessible paths make getting around the gardens a breeze. The cute red trackless train takes in a scenic 25 minute tour of some of the loveliest sections of the park, departing every 20 minutes from the Queen Elizabeth Gate near the Sydney Opera House.
A favoured walk starts at the Opera House, hugging the shoreline all the way up to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair (a bench carved out of sandstone in 1810). The walk guarantees phenomenal views of the harbour, particularly at sunset.
The gardens are home to the Sydney Tropical Centre, enclosed within an impressive glass pyramid. Contemporary sculptures and artworks are scattered throughout the gardens. Deep in the heart of the park you’ll also find a Herb Garden, a formal Rose Garden, an Oriental Garden and collection of Rare and Threatened Plants, including the critically endangered Wollemi Pine.
You can learn more about the horticultural treasures of the gardens through one of the free guided walks departing daily at 10:30 a.m. from the Palm Grove Centre. Every Friday at 10 a.m., an Aboriginal Heritage Tour of the park is conducted ($28) which explores traditional music and dance, ancient artefacts and bush foods.
Posted on Jan 19, 2011 by Fiona Davies
