Fast Facts

How to contact us

Royal Botanic Gardens
Mrs Macquaries Road
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 02-9231 8111 (weekends 02-9231 8125
Fax: 02-9251 4403
(International code + 61 2)

Location

Click on map to enlarge

Located on the eastern edge of the central business district, the Royal Botanic Gardens is bounded by Macquarie Street, the Cahill Expressway and Mrs Macquaries Road. Surrounding the Royal Botanic Gardens is the open parkland of the Domain.

The National Herbarium of New South Wales is located within the Royal Botanic Gardens, on the eastern (Woolloomooloo) side.

Map of the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain

Click on map to enlarge

Facts

Number of plants in Royal Botanic Gardens: 45,124

Number of preserved plant specimens in Herbarium: over one million

Oldest pre-settlement remnant trees in the Royal Botanic Gardens: Sydney Red Gum Angophora costata, and three Forest Red Gums Eucalyptus tereticornis

Oldest planted trees in the Royal Botanic Gardens: Hoop Pine, Giant Watergum, both planted c. 1820-28 in the Palm Grove

Oldest plant specimens: collected at Botany Bay in 1770 by Joseph Banks

Size of Gardens: 30 hectares

Size of Domain: 34 hectares

Wildlife: Wildlife includes Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, White Ibis, Brush-tailed Possum, Flying Fox

Number of visitors: about 3 million (Royal Botanic Gardens) and 4 million (Domain) per year

Description

The Royal Botanic Gardens covers 30 hectares in a spectacular setting on the shores of Sydney Harbour with 10 960 plant groups from Australia and overseas on display.

The Domain, a popular recreation area, extends over 34 hectares and its playing fields, lawns and paths are used daily by city workers and tourists.

It all began in 1788 when Australia’s first farm, Farm Cove, was established by Governor Phillip. In 1816 the Botanic Gardens of Sydney was founded on this site by Governor Macquarie as part of the Governor’s Domain. Charles Fraser was appointed as the first Colonial Botanist in 1817, establishing the Botanic Gardens as the oldest scientific institution in Australia.

The National Herbarium of NSW, housed in the Robert Brown Building and built in 1982, is a major centre for Australian plant research. The extensive collection of nearly one million preserved specimens (dating back to plants collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander in 1770) provide reference material for studies of our native plants, their relationships and classification. Research includes field studies, DNA sequencing and scanning electron microscopy. Ecological research involves mapping and describing plant communities and studying factors that affect their survival.

The Herbarium provides a Botanical information service, including plant identifications and a public reference collection for native plant identifications. Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm (closed public holidays), phone 02-9231 8155.

The Library houses one of the most extensive collections of botanical, horticultural and ecological books, magazines, videos, photographs and publications, as well as material on related topics. The Library is only available for bona fide research work and appointments should be made with the Librarian, phone 02-9231 8152.

History

Go to History of the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain.

Special features

Go to Garden features

Visitor information

Go to Visitor Information for information on Planning your visit

Hours & admissions
How to get here
Disability access
Visitor facilities
Visitor code
Tourist links

Venue hire

Many areas within the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Domain are available for weddings, birthdays, special and corporate events, filming and photography, sporting events, meetings and conferences. These include the restaurants and kiosks, Maiden Theatre, Lion Gate Lodge, Rathborne Lodge, Sydney Tropical Centre, garden pavilions and various lawn areas. For information on charges and requirements go to Visitor Information and Venue hire.

Research

Our scientists undertake research in plant systematics, ecology and horticulture.

Systematics research studies and describes plant species and establishes their evolutionary relationships through classification studies and DNA ‘fingerprinting’. Current research covers more than 20 plant families, and includes many of potential commercial, horticultural and phytochemical value.

Ecological research studies, maps and describes the plant communities of NSW to provide advice to land-use agencies and help decision-making on natural resource management.

Horticultural research studies the culture, propagation, pathology and selection of plants. Current research focuses on propagation of the Wollemi Pine, waratahs, flannel flowers and aroids; and on biological control of weeds, pests and diseases.

For further information on research go to Conservation & research.

Administration

Both the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Domain are managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust.
The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust is a statutory body of the New South Wales Government established under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980, variously amended. The Trust reports to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Bob Debus. Reporting to the Executive Director are: Director Science & Public Programs, Director Botanic Gardens, Director Finance & Business Services, Director Communications & Marketing, Managing Curator Mount Annan Botanic Garden, Managing Curator Mount Tomah Botanic Garden and Managing Curator Domain. For further information go to Organisation & Businesses and Our people.