Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

Why visit

Opened in 1988, the garden is one of the three Botanic Gardens of Sydney, with the Royal Botanic Garden in the city and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah. It is by far the biggest of the three, and it is given over to Australian plants, from wattles and banksias to grevilleas, eremophilas and rare species saved from the wild.

What to see

• The themed gardens: near the main entrance, colourful garden beds show off native plants, from wattles to everlasting daisies.
• Australian PlantBank: a science and research centre that stores the seeds of thousands of native plant species for the future.
• The woodland: walking and cycling tracks lead out into the Cumberland Plain woodland, where eastern grey kangaroos often graze in the early morning and late afternoon.
• Picnic lawns: wide lawns and shady trees make this one of the best picnic spots in the region.

Practical information

General entry has been free in recent years, and there is parking inside the garden. Opening hours change with the seasons, and some events charge a fee, so check the garden’s own website before you go. Dogs are welcome on a leash in most areas, but check the current rules first.

Tips

• Bring a bike, or allow time to walk: the garden is large and the best bushland is away from the car parks.
• Visit in late winter and spring, from about July to October, for wattle and wildflowers.
• Summer days are hot in the south-west. Go early, wear a hat and carry water.
• Combine the garden with lunch in Camden, about 10 minutes away.