Exploring the Gardens

A number of trails are marked to guide visitors around some of the highlights of the Gardens. Information about the trails is available from the Information Centre.
Each week a volunteer produces a hand-out information sheet titled 'In Flower This Week', with a map of a suggested walk. This is also available at the Information Centre.

A Visitor Code outlines how we expect visitors to act while in the Gardens, both for the protection of plants and the enjoyment of others.

Banks' Walk

Close to the car park and the Information Centre, this area of the Gardens is planted with a range of colourful plants to illustrate the diversity of the Australian flora. There is also a bust of Joseph Banks, the naturalist who accompanied Captain Cook on his voyage to Australia in 1770. Its an ideal area to explore for those who don't have much time, or cannot manage a long walk.

The Main Path (1.5 km, about 60 minutes)

The Main Path is paved along its whole length and all slopes meet Australian standards for wheelchair access. A footbridge from the carpark leads visitors over the Tasmanian Rainforest Gully, past the Cafe, and on into the gardens. It passes through the Myrtaceae, the monocots, the Proteaceae, the Sydney Region flora, the Eucalypt Lawn, the Acacias, the Hakeas, the Rock Garden, the conifers and into the Rainforest Gully. It finishes near the Information Centre and Bookshop.

The Display Glasshouse

The Gardens Display Glasshouse contains hundreds of species from sub-tropical and tropical Australia. There is a large collection of epiphytes (plants which grow on other plants for support), including ferns, ant plants and orchids. Other plants are from rainforests and monsoonal (wet season/dry season) areas, such as the Northern Territory.

Walk to Black Mountain summit (about 90 minutes return, steep climb)

This trail branches from the Main Path near the Eucalypt Lawn and passes by the old Nursery site and the higher areas of the Gardens. It leads visitors through a special boundary gate and into the Black Mountain Nature Park and on to the summit. It is marked by posts with a Telstra Tower logo and arrow.

Aboriginal Trail (1 km, about 45 minutes)

The Aboriginal Trail passes through the Rainforest Gully and the lower slopes of the Gardens. Signs explain how Aborigines used plants. It is marked by a trail logo featuring an Aboriginal shield design.

Guided Tours

Free guided walks conducted by the Voluntary Guides Service leave the Visitor Centre at 11am and 2pm daily and take an hour or so. An additional walk at 9.30am is held during Summer (Oct to March). There is no need to book but please arrive about 10 minutes before departure time. Donations to the Friends are most welcome.