The Royal Botanic Garden
A harbourside escape woven with history and nature
Just beyond Hotel Woolstore 1888, the Royal Botanic Garden opens into a world of calm paths, harbour views and living history. Spread across 30 hectares beside Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House, it’s one of the city’s most beautiful places to wander, breathe deeply and uncover stories that have shaped this land for centuries.
A garden with history in its roots
Founded in 1816, the Royal Botanic Garden is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and home to an extraordinary collection of native and international plants. From rare and threatened species to the romantic rose garden, each themed area reveals a different side of nature.
One of the most meaningful stops is Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters, a landscape that honours the Cadigal people, the original custodians of this land. Thoughtfully designed, it traces more than 65,000 years of connection, culture and resilience.
Tours, trails and quiet discoveries
Whether you’re visiting solo, with friends or exploring with family, the Garden offers experiences for every pace and interest.
Book an Aboriginal Heritage Tour, follow a free guided walk, or join one of the seasonal tours like the Sunset Spotlight Tour, harbour-facing performances, or kid-friendly self-guided scavenger hunts. Free Wi-Fi and the Garden’s app make it easy to find walking paths, maps and the latest events as you wander.
Bring your coffee from Percy, stretch out on the lawn, or find a quiet corner with sweeping views of the harbour. It’s the kind of Sydney moment that feels both timeless and restorative.
Make a day of it
From Hotel Woolstore 1888 Sydney, it’s an easy trip — a quick car ride, or a scenic ferry journey from Pyrmont to Circular Quay followed by a short walk along the waterfront. When you’ve had your fill of greenery and harbour breezes, return to Pyrmont for tapas and wine at Percy or a relaxed evening in your boutique room.
Image credit: Destination NSW & Botanic Gardens of Sydney
