History

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

Timeline

1850s

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

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 near Narellan Road. The original dairy buildings were used as a kiosk and waiting area for the riding school.

1975

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

1984

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

Major plantings in the Bottlebrush, Wattle, Banksia and Cassia theme gardens.
Visitor Centre car park completed. Nursery and depot begin operating.

1988

Theme garden walking tracks completed.
Storms cause major damage to Terrace Garden and Theme Gardens.

1988

Official opening by Duke and Duchess of York on 2 October as the final NSW Bicentennial project.
Mount Annan opens to the public.

1989

Sundial of Human Involvement is completed.
Horticultural Research section established.
Naming of Lake Sedgwick and Lake Fitzpatrick by Kath Fitzpatrick.  

1990

Cunningham Drive and Lake Nadungamba constructed, opening up the northern section of the Garden.
New Visitor Centre and endangered species garden opened by the Premier of NSW, Nick Greiner MP, 29 July.
Wallaroos first sighted in Garden.

1995

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

1998

Ironbark Woodland conservation area (6 ha) at entrance to Garden donated by Landcom.
Signature plantings of Bunya Pines established on eastern ridge.

1999

Major redevelopment of Seedbank to support plant conservation work at Mount Annan.
Woodland Picnic area opened to the public. 
Stage one of Children’s Playground opened.

2000

Award winning Site Master Plan completed, setting a vision for the future of the Garden. 
Australian flowers and plants from Mount Annan feature at Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney and Olympic venues around Sydney.
Volunteer Bushcare program established, staff and volunteers target African Olive removal from high conservation value woodlands.

2001

Major redevelopment of Garden entrance with feature dry stone wall and entry gates.
Dense infestations of the weed African Olive now established across site.
Federation Stars collection of Flannel Flowers released and selected as NSW Federation floral emblem for the Centenary of Federation. Flannel Flower Federation Maze completed.
‘The Gardens Restaurant’ opens in existing Visitor Centre and Gardens Shop opens.

2002

M5 East motorway opens, dramatically improving motorway access to Garden from Sydney.
Federation Maze opened by Graham West MP
Natural Heritage section created to manage native woodlands and conservation planning.
Stage 2 of Children’s Playground completed.
Contractors engaged to target African Olive removal from conservation woodlands.

'Room with a View' garden launched by Jamie Durie 12 September.
Redevelopment of Terrace Garden renamed ‘Connections Garden’, work now focussed on front sections - Water Garden stage 1 of Connections Garden launched by Dr Karl Kruzelnicki.
Core woodland conservation areas free from olive invasion. 
Central car park redesigned and constructed.

Wollemi Walk of discovery opened by Jerry Coleby-Williams, 31 March.
Bottlebrush Garden renamed Big Idea Garden to display sustainable urban horticulture - 'Big Idea' Garden launched 2 November.
Bureau of Meterology Weather Station opened by Cr Aaron Rule, Mayor of Campbelltown, 14 November.
Master Plan review.
Drive-through experience ‘Recycled sculptures’ installed.
‘The Knot’ dry stone sculpture installed in Central Valley.

Grevillea Garden opened by Angus Stewart, 2 May.
Connections Garden stage 2 opened.
Grevillea Garden dry stone terraces opened, after four years of dry stone walling courses.