Southeast of the Opera House, the garden was established in 1816 and contains plant life from around the world. Within the gardens are hothouses with palms and ferns, as well as Calyx, a stunning exhibition space with a curved glasshouse gallery with a wall of greenery and temporary plant-themed exhibits. Grab a park map at any main entrance.
The gardens include the colony’s first modest vegetable patch, but their history goes back much further. Long before the arrival of the convicts, it was a primitive ground for the Gudigal (Cadigal) people. Free 1½ hour guided walk from the Visitor Center daily at 10.30am (open 10am to 3pm) except weekdays from March to November until 1pm. Book ahead for an Aboriginal Heritage Tour with a local guide.
A hop-on, hop-off tourist train runs a route around the main points of interest in the garden.