A number of endangered ecological communities exist within the Garden and are listed under State legislation

• Cumberland Plain Woodland
• Western Sydney Dry Rainforest
• Sydney Coastal River Flat Forest

The proper management of these areas is an important part of the work at Mount Annan, and requires consistent control of weeds such as African Olive. This regeneration work is greatly assisted by dedicated community volunteers.  Natural areas will be progressively regenerated and linked to form wildlife corridors and provide additional fauna habitat. Birdlife in the Garden has increased considerably since establishment, and the variety of landscapes and vegetation is ideal to observe a great range of birds. Native mammals are also making the Garden home, with Wallaroos and Swamp Wallabies now commonly observed in some sections at morning and dusk.

1. Connections Garden
Across the road from the Visitor Centre and Gardens Restaurant, the Connections Garden is being developed on the site of the old Terrace Garden, a 4.5-hectare hillside reshaped into a series of terraces displaying the evolution of Australian native plants. Surrounding this Garden are many annual and perennial cottage garden style displays that are the focus for the annual wildflower display.

The Connections Garden is currently under development - for more information please see our Future Planning page.

Provides an intimate focal point for celebration - the careful positioning of the walls frame beautiful views out across our gardens, lakes and hills while also creating nooks protected from the wind. The rammed earth walls, constructed by China Walls and kindly  donated to Mount Annan Botanic Garden by Jamie Durie of Patio Landscape and Design, are reminiscent of the red centre of Australia. They evoke the stability, durability and immense age of our country. To enhance this mood we have landscaped the area with inland plants including small white barked gum trees, grass trees and ephemeral daisies.

ME Lighting generously donated and installed the low voltage LED lights, with design provided by Distinctive Gardens in Camden. Water efficient, subsurface irrigation was donated by KISSS.

We are grateful for the generous sponsorship of Patio Landscapes, ME Lighting, Distinctive Gardens and KISSS.

3. Lakeside & Federation Maze 
Two ornamental lakes were built in the valley of Annan Creek. Reeds, sedges and other water plants around the edges of the lake are a haven for an increasing variety of water birds. A selection of rainforest trees has been planted to complement the mature trees in the area. The large adjacent lawns will become the venue for special events and displays. Test your skills with the Federation Flannel Flower Maze.

4. Wollemi Walk of Discovery
Deep in the wild and rugged Wollemi National Park only 200 km from Sydney lives an ancient botanical treasure. The ‘dinosaur tree’ or ‘living fossil’ is one of the greatest botanical discoveries of our times. Modern-day explorer David Noble made the astonishing find while canyoning in September 1994. For millions of years these trees where widespread in Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica, but now less than 100 mature specimens remain in their natural habitat. On this trail you will find representatives of each of those last remaining trees.

The Wollemi Pine is a unique reminder that the world is full of undiscovered wonders, that there is a lot more to know about our planet and a lot to protect.  We have developed a walking trail that allows visitors to see the Wollemi Pine collection grown at Mount Annan Botanic Garden since the initial find, and to learn more about the habitat of the Wollemi gorge where they were discovered. 

5. What's the Big Idea & Water-wise Garden
This area is being developed on the site of the old Bottlebrush Garden. The concept for the What’s the Big Idea is to reinvigorate the existing Bottlebrush Garden by redesigning it to be more relevant to home gardeners. It will display Australian plants that are available through garden centres as well a range of sustainable ideas that help reduce, reuse and recycle valuable resources into your garden. For more information see our Future Planning page. Facilities include two barbecue areas, a picnic shelter, table settings and toilets.

As part of the Big Idea Garden, a Water-wise Garden demonstrates water efficiency in the home garden using water tanks, drip irrigation and an array of beautiful water-wise native plants commonly available in local nurseries. Here you will also find information about mulching and composting, correct pruning, turf care and fertilising. Look out for ‘bright ideas’ throughout the Garden — many are worth considering for your own situation. Financial support for development of this garden has been provided by HSBC through their ‘Towards Sustainable Horticulture’ program. Additional support has been received through Ramm Botanicals and Neutrog Fertiliser.

6. Wattle Garden
This picnic area is known for vibrant winter colour and features many of the known 950 species of Acacia, including Australia’s floral emblem Acacia pycnantha. Wattles are found across the Australian continent and their colours have inspired our green and gold sports teams’ uniforms.

The Wattle Garden is the largest picnic area at Mount Annan. It is suitable for both large and small groups and is wheelchair accessible.

The main flowering period is August, however there are usually some wattles in flower throughout the year. Several barbecue settings, a picnic shelter and toilet facilities are available. Planted shade trees are Sydney Blue Gums (Eucalyptus saligna). 

There is a  Wedding Arbor in this Garden - bookings please contact the Function & Events Officer on 02-4634 7933.

7. Banksia Garden
Set in a cool moist sheltered gully, this lush garden includes well known Australian plant groups including grevilleas, waratahs, banksias, hakeas and rainforest species. New plantings here will showcase the best of Mount Annan Botanic Garden’s extensive Grevillea collection, many of which were supplied by the Grevillea Study Group of the Australian Plants Society. New dry stone walls in the Garden have been constructed by participants in weekend workshops.

Rainforest species of the Proteaceae have been planted along Clutha Creek. Extensive dry stone wall terracing will accommodate spectacular Western Australian grevilleas. These plants attract many nectar feeding birds, adding to the gardens bird life diversity. A favourite site for families escaping the heat of a summer day. Cool creekline walks, barbecues, a picnic shelter and toilet facilities are available.

8. Cypress Pine Arboretum
This is a collection of trees — an arboretum — of species commonly known as ‘cypress pines’ because they are distantly related to cypresses (Cupressus) of the northern hemisphere. Early settlers used cypress pines extensively in buildings because of their termite-resistant wood. In Australia we have 17 species of Callitris — from deserts to rainforests, ranging from common to rare.

9. Kurrajong Arboretum
With a western exposure, these plants need to withstand extremes of temperatures (up to 40ºC in summer) and often fierce blistering winds. Here you will find River Red Gums Eucalyptus obtusa which grow along inland river banks in areas of low rainfall, Bottle Trees Brachychiton rupestris, and the Apple Gum Angophora melanoxylon from northern NSW.

10. Woodland Conservation Area
This woodland area is a glimpse on the past, and is what the natural vegetation of the region looked like before European settlement. Known as Cumberland Plain Woodland, this type of vegetation has been heavily cleared in western Sydney and is now classified as an Endangered Ecological Community. The forest is made up of distinctive Eucalypts such as the Narrow-leaved Ironbark, Forest Red Gum and Grey Box and has a very diverse grassy understorey. These forest areas are now very important for local fauna. Take a stroll along the walking tracks where you will see interesting forest birds and occasionally Swamp Wallabies and Wallaroos.

Click here for more information on the Cumberland Plain Woodland. 

11. Woodland Conservation & Picnic Area
Rare Cumberland Plain Woodland, a threatened plant community of Sydney, surrounds this beautiful picnic area. Ornamental shrubs of this community combine beautifully with the feature dry stone walls and give a ‘cottage garden’ effect when in flower. Enjoy a picnic or barbecue and explore the nearby lake and woodland areas. Walks start from the picnic area weaving through the Woodland, where you may spot wallabies and goannas on your journey. Nearby Lake Nadingamba, two minutes walk from the picnic area, has a bird hide where many species of water birds can be observed. Convenient wheelchair accessible facilities and space for large groups make this a favourite for the nature lover.

12. Mallee Eucalypt Arboretum 
Mallees are small multi-stemmed eucalypts and you will find them grouped along the two loop roads. Mallees have the greatest variety of foliage and flower form of all the eucalypts. As you drive through the northern section of the Garden on Cunningham Drive you can see an arboretum  (tree garden) of mallees. Most of these spectacular small trees set in a valley come from the arid parts of Australia, in particular Western Australia. If you stop for a closer look, you may see the largest of all the gum nuts and the biggest and brightest blooms of one of Australia’s most iconic plants. Local mallees include the Whipstick Mallee Ash Eucalyptus multicaulis, from near Sydney, and the Faulconbridge Mallee Ash Eucalyptus burgessiana, which has a restricted range in the Blue Mountains. 

13. Wollemi Pine, Rare & Endangered Garden and Fruit Loop
This ancient tree is one of the world's rarest plants with only three stands of adult trees growing in New South Wales' Blue Mountains. Click here for more information on the Wollemi Pine.

The Garden's collection contains many rare and endangered plants, some being cultivated for the first time. This helps in their conservation and offers the possibility of re-introducing some species into their natural habitats as well as providing valuable material for scientific research.

Surrounding the Gardens Shop and The Gardens Restaurant, our Rare & Endangered Garden features rare and threatened species and introduces the visitor to species under threat in their natural habitat. This garden includes the Wollemi Pine — or ‘dinosaur tree’ — now cultivated at Mount Annan Botanic Garden.

The Fruit Loop displays the abundance of Australian bush foods and products and has been designed as a circular garden linking:

• the Gardens Restaurant — where you can taste the flavours of bush foods,
• the Bowden Education Centre — where your imagination will be stimulated, and
• the Gardens Shop — where many of the plants on display are beautifully packaged, illustrated or in pots for your take-home convenience.