Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, Australia

Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW

History

>> View Botanic Gardens Trust History
>> View Birth of a Garden by Edwin Wilson & Barbara Briggs

Timeline

1820s

Mount Annan land purchased as part of Glenlee estate by magistrate William Howe.

1850s

Glenlee acquired by James Fitzpatrick whose descendants ran a dairy farm until 1978.

1975

Land designated as part of a Scenic Protection Zone by Macarthur Development Board.

1970s

A riding school was established from the late 70s to early 80s on land leased from the Macarthur Development Board. Barley crops were grown in two paddocks to feed the horses, these were in the mounting paddock near Lake Gilinganadum and where the first Garden depot was located. The original dairy buildings were used as a kiosk and waiting area for the riding school.

1984

NSW Government allocates 400 hectares for a native botanic garden to be administered by Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust.

1988

Mount Annan opens to the public

1988

Official opening by Duchess of York on 2 October.

1989

Sundial of Human Involvement is completed

1990

Cunningham Drive and Lake Nadungamba constructed, opening up the northern section of the Garden.
New Visitor Centre and endangered species garden opened.

1995

Newly discovered Wollemi Pine first brought into cultivation at Mount Annan.
Massed paper daisy displays developed, which become a major visitor attraction.

1998

Woodland conservation area (6 ha) at entrance to Garden donated by Landcom.

1999

Major redevelopment of Seedbank to support plant conservation work at Mount Annan.
Woodland Picnic area opened to the public.

2000

Award winning Site Master Plan completed, setting a vision for the future of the Garden.

2001

Major redevelopment of Garden entrance with feature dry stone wall and entry gates.

2002

M5 East motorway opens, dramatically improving motorway access to Garden from Sydney.

History
The original owners of the land were the Tharawal Aboriginal people. It was later dairy pasture for 170 years before being acquired by the Royal Botanic Gardens in 1984.

The first plantings were made in 1985 and the Garden opened to the public in 1988. Plantings are designed to display the diversity of the Australian flora and will eventually include many of our 25 000 known plant species.

Although still relatively new, the Mount Annan Garden is fast becoming both a magnificent, extensive landscape and a showcase for Australian flora.

Gathered here is a collection of the remarkable and unique plants which make up the fascinating flora of the continent, including many rare and endangered species not previously cultivated.

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