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Things to do in Sydney

Arts and culture

• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Customs House
• Dendy Opera Quays
• Sydney Opera House
• Sydney Theatre Company
• The Rocks Discovery Museum
• The Garrison Church

Outdoors

• Royal Botanic Gardens
• North Head Lookout
• The Rocks Self Guided Walking Tour

On the harbour

• Manly Ferry
• Cruise Sydney Harbour
• Fort Denison
• Sydney Fish Market
• Whale Watching

Royal Botanic Gardens

Photo: Hamilton Lund / Tourism NSW

Why go there

The Royal Botanic Gardens are adjacent to the Sydney Opera House and framed by beautiful Sydney Harbour. They are a 30-hectare oasis of calm right in the heart of the city.

A range of activities caters for all ages, abilities and interests. You can go on a volunteer-led tour of the gardens along the paved accessible pathways, learn about the Aboriginal history and their use of the site, explore the magnificent gardens or simply relax with a picnic and enjoy the stunning harbour views.

Don't miss

• A free guided tour which is wheelchair accessible and covers information about the gardens' history, plant life and resident flying foxes.
• The Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters garden display exploring Aboriginal history and use of this harbourside site.
• The Aboriginal Heritage Tour, a guided walking tour.
• The Trackless Train Scenic Tour, between the Botanic Gardens Cafe and the Queen Elizabeth II Gate near the Opera House. Departs every 20 minutes (weather permitting) - not wheelchair accessible.
• Mrs Macquaries Chair, one of the best look-out points over the harbour.

Access for all

Getting around

Download a copy of the gardens' access map which shows the location of parking spaces, accessible toilets and best access points.

Tours and programs

Palm Grove Centre

The centre includes a souvenir shop, accessible toilet, wheelchair hire and has ramp access.

Guided tours

Lunchtime tours of the gardens run weekdays from March-November, except public holidays, departing from the Palm Grove Centre. The hour-long tours follow paved bitumen pathways. Park benches are strategically placed in the Gardens to offer respite. Guides often bring display cards, pictures and samples of plants, offering a hands-on experience for visitors.

Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters Garden Display

A section of the gardens has been developed to explain traditional Aboriginal use of the land, their understanding of plants and the environment and the impact of early settlers. Located near Palm House, Cadi Jam Ora has pathways around the display that are generally flat and paved. The nearest accessible entrance is Woolloomooloo Gate on Art Gallery Road.

Aboriginal Heritage guided tour

The guided tour departs every Friday at 2pm from the Moore Room. Tours last one hour and a fee applies.

Mrs Macquaries Chair

Mrs Macquaries Chair can be accessed via three loops:

• The Waterfront loop is a level, paved pedestrian pathway extending from the Botanic Gardens through the Yurong Gate to Mrs Macquaries Chair.
• The pedestrian pavement along Mrs Macquaries Road, is accessible by car and wheelchair. A unisex accessible toilet is located off Mrs Macquaries Road, just north of Victoria Lodge.
• The pedestrian loop above the Waterfront loop. Best access is from Victoria Lodge where the path is flat and paved. The path leads to a viewing platform 100m south of Mrs Macquaries Chair which has binoculars to enjoy the spectacular views. A steep paved gradient connects to Mrs Macquaries Road. The pathway then leads to a flight of stairs at the northern point. The eastern pathway is rough and uneven in places with some steep gradients.

How to get there

Access points

The Royal Botanic Gardens are best accessed by the Queen Elizabeth II Gate, from the Opera House promenade and Circular Quay. Alternative access points are Woolloomooloo Gate (opposite the Art Gallery of New South Wales) and Victoria Gate.

Public transport

Accessible buses run along Macquarie Street and also Art Gallery Road.

Parking

There is an accessible car park near the Woolloomooloo Gate.

Maps

• Download the Royal Botanic Gardens access map
• Download the Sydney CBD and Circular Quay access map (PDF, 1.52MB)

To view the maps, you need Adobe Reader