Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney (must see)

In case you're curious as to where Sydney keeps its giant outdoor living room, just wander over to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Stretching along the eastern edge of Sydney Harbour and practically brushing shoulders with the Opera House, this green expanse has been part of the city’s story since 1816—making it Australia’s oldest scientific institution and still a hardworking hub of research, conservation, and public learning.

Of course, the story begins much earlier. Long before colonisation, the Aboriginal Gadigal tribe used this shoreline as a place to gather food and materials. After the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, the same ground became the colony’s first farm. Over time, the ploughs gave way to pathways, sandstone walls, and curated plantings, eventually blossoming into the formal gardens we stroll through these days.

Across more than 30 hectares, the gardens unfold like a botanical choose-your-own-adventure. The Palm Grove shows off specimens collected since the 19th century. The Succulent Garden brings together arid-adapted plants that thrive on sunshine and stubbornness. The Australian Rainforest Garden compresses whole ecosystems into a peaceful, leafy corner. Between them run lawns, ponds, and shady pockets perfect for picnics—or for pretending you’re in the middle of a nature documentary. The resident cast includes flying foxes, cockatoos, and waterbirds who treat the gardens as their personal lounge.

Scattered around are historic gates, fountains, and memorials, quiet reminders of two centuries of gardening trends and scientific ambition. Modern features join the mix too, most notably The Calyx—a sleek glasshouse and exhibition space where rotating displays explore everything, from biodiversity to the oddities of the plant world. Behind the scenes, the Herbarium of New South Wales holds vast preserved collections that fuel ongoing research.

Follow the waterfront, and you’ll reach Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a favourite lookout with postcard views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. From here, the Farm Cove Walk slips into the wider network of harbourside paths, making the gardens not just a scenic retreat but a natural connector in Sydney’s waterfront journey...