Lindsay 
Now, I have seen a fair few gardens over the years, but the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney are one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever visited. There are so many Instagrammable spots and lush greenery to explore you could easily spend a few hours here and forget that you are in one of the world’s most bustling cities!
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There are several different entrances to the gardens, from Sir John Young Crescent and the Morshead Fountain Gate, but my favourite starting point is from Elizabeth Gate on the harbour’s Opera House side. Once you enter here through the grand-looking gates, there are lawns for relaxing as well as paths to follow, which lead you past beautiful statues and flower beds.
There is even a full-size Koala made of plants and flowers, which is really cool! Some of the highlights include the Rose Gardens with its neat boxed hedges and rose displays and the Armillary Sphere garden. They both reminded me of English country gardens and being from the UK, I am probably a little biased, but I think we make the best gardens. It was surrounded by colourful plants and also had great views down to the water. If you look to the left, you might catch a few glimpses of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the distance too.
Head to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for the best views in the whole park. Here you will find a stone bench that was carved out by convicts in the early 1800s for the then Governor’s wife so that she would have some incredible views of the harbour. From this spot, you can view the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the same frame.
On the gardens’ edge is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, housed in a lovely Neo-Classical building. The road leading you to the museum starts with a lush tropical area which invites you in – but it’s a trick – as there is a flock of aggressive birds who screeched at me to get out of their home! So, I did as I was told and got the hell out of there!
There is currently a temporary exhibition until winter 2021 in the gardens called Cyros, which is a donation entry fee. It contains beautiful plants and flowers and has the most stunning floral wall – perfect for Instagram lovers!
The display shows images of bees, flowers and nature, made entirely from flowers. It is awesome! There is also a lovely little café and shop selling environmentally friendly products. The exhibition will change depending on the season, so you can visit every few months if you are in the area to see how the floral display will have changed.
If you have got kids with you, don’t miss out on the Choo-Choo Express. This bright red train chugs along through the park, which would be a fun way to explore and cut out some walking if it is particularly hot.
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, NSW 2000 | www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Have you been to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Australia? Did you love them as much as I did? Leave me a comment below.
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Still looking for more Inspiration for Sydney? Then scroll to the end of this blog post for more related articles from this amazing harbour city.
