The Sydney Botanic Garden is an amazing 74 acre (30-hectare) botanical garden, event venue and public recreation area located on the eastern fringe of the Sydney central business district. The Sydney Botanic Garden opened in 1816, making it the oldest scientific institution in Australia. It is also one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world, and the home of Mrs Macquraie’s Chair.

The Sydney Botanic Garden is open every day of the year and access is free. The stunning position on Sydney Harbour, next to the Sydney Opera House and surrounded by the large public park lands called The Domain make it is one of the most visited attractions in Sydney.

The Domain is filled with lush, rolling fields with huge, beautiful trees throughout. It’s an amazing area for a walk, picnic, or playing with the kids.

The Sydney Botanic Gardens have an amazing variety of flower species, some well known, but many specific to Australia. They are sprinkled across a variety of specialty areas, including the Palace Rose Garden and the Wildflower Meadow.

To learn more about the gardens, check out their website here: Sydney Botanic Gardens Website.

The Southeast point of the garden is home to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is an exposed sandstone rock cut into the shape of a bench, on a peninsula in Sydney Harbour. It was hand carved by convicts in 1810, for Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife of Major-General Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is also located close to a scenic overlook at the end of the park that offers an outstanding view of downtown, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House.