Australian Native Rockery

Living sustainably is part of nurturing our planet. Plants are the key.

Significance of the Australian Native Rockery

Through dramatic plantings and engaging signage, visitors will learn about the unique biodiversity of Australian flora and the importance of maintaining diverse plant communities to provide clean water and air. Plants provide these ecological functions and are at the heart of fully functioning economic communities.

Every visitor passing through the Queen Elizabeth II Gates will see this arresting display of unique, showy, colourful Australian flora immediately adjacent to Australia’s leading tourist destination - the Sydney Opera House. The Rockery will be highly visible from the water too.

The Royal Botanic Gardens is the second most highly rated tourism attraction in Sydney - only surpassed by the Sydney Opera House. This spectacular feature garden will attract more people into the Royal Botanic Gardens, will significantly enhance the visitor experience and broaden visitors’ awareness of the importance of conservation, especially Australia’s unique flora.

New feature displays are required to enhance the Gardens and keep displays contemporary and relevant. This is only possible with external funding. Although the NSW Government provides 60% of the Trust budget, support from the Foundation is critical to funding new acquisitions and programs that cannot be achieved through recurrent funding. The Royal Botanic Gardens plays a key role in sustaining the environment through maintaining plant conservation and diversity

Key Features

This garden will feature a wide range of plants from large bottle trees, Gymea Lilly, grass trees and iconic flowering plants. All plants will be species (as opposed to cultivars), wild-sourced from seed from the NSW Seedbank at Mount Annan Botanic Garden or collecting trips. Signature dry stone walls, a network of paths, framed vistas of the Harbour, viewing platforms, lighting and new seats will give structure and accessibility to the garden. It will be a significant feature of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The garden will be planned in a sustainable way to minimise maintenance.

Users

The Australian Native Rockery will be seen and enjoyed by all visitors entering or departing the Royal Botanic Gardens near the Opera House. It has a landmark position bordering the direct route between the Opera House and Mrs Macquaries Point, and overlooking the trackless train route and Sydney Harbour. Tourists and residents will come especially to see the Australian Native Rockery. It will be a prime venue for tourism, private functions and weddings.

Benefactors are valued and recognised

Benefactors will enjoy a close and fulfilling association with our three Botanic Gardens with invitations to special events, to talks and viewings of our various collections, and behind the scene tours.

Benefactors will be recognised on signage at the Australian Rockery, in Foundation Fellowship listing and publications, Trust website, annual report and other documentation.