Top 10 Botanic Gardens in Australia

From Sydney’s harbourside lawns to Adelaide’s heritage glasshouses, discover Australia’s most beautiful botanic gardens and plan your next garden escape.

7 min read

Where Nature and Design Meet

From Sydney’s harbourside lawns to Tasmania’s cool-climate valleys, Australia is home to some of the best botanic gardens in the world. These living museums showcase the incredible diversity of the continent’s plants. From lush tropical rainforests and desert landscapes to heritage roses and rare native species.

Each garden tells a story of place, design and conservation, making them perfect for anyone planning to visit Australian botanic gardens or looking for peaceful green spaces to explore. Whether you’re drawn to famous gardens like Kings Park in Perth or the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, or hidden gems such as Mount Lofty and Mount Annan, this guide will help you discover the top botanic gardens in Australia to visit year-round.

1. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW

Set right beside Sydney Harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is the country’s oldest and arguably most iconic garden. Established in 1816, it combines history, garden design, historic buildings and spectacular harbour views within walking distance of the city centre.

Wander through themed collections like the Palm Grove and Rainforest Walk, visit The Calyx for seasonal horticultural displays, or join an Aboriginal Heritage Tour to learn about native plants and their traditional uses. If you’re here in spring, the Spring Walk is enchanting.

Don’t miss: A sunrise walk to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair - the views across the harbour and Opera House are extraordinary.

Read more: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

2. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, VIC

An urban sanctuary in the heart of Melbourne, the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (Melbourne Gardens) is renowned globally for its beautiful picturesque landscaping. The 38-hectare garden was established in 1846. Located along the south bank of the Yarra River, the Gardens are home to over 8,500 different plant species from around the world, displayed across 26 distinct collections. Highlights to look out for include the peaceful Ornamental Lake, the lush, cool environment of the Fern Gully, the interactive Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden, and the unique, historic reservoir known as Guilfoyle's Volcano, which offers sweeping city views. The site also houses the National Herbarium of Victoria, which contains an extensive State Botanical Collection, making it a leading centre for conservation and botanical research in Australia.

Tip: Visit in autumn for golden reflections across the lake.

Read more: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

3. Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, NSW

The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is the largest botanic garden in Australia, covering a vast 416 hectares in the hilly South Western Sydney suburb of Mount Annan. Specialising in native Australian plants, the garden features a collection of over 4,000 species. You’ll find a mix of Australian bushland and cultivated displays, with over 20 kilometres of walking tracks, picnic areas, and mountain bike trails. The garden is an important scientific hub, housing the Australian PlantBank - a major facility for native flora conservation and research, including the critically endangered Wollemi Pine. Visitors can enjoy scenic views from Sundial Hill and explore diverse sections like the Connections Garden, making it a fantastic destination for nature lovers and families.

Highlight: The mass plantings of paper daisies in spring.

4. Kings Park and Botanic Garden, WA

Overlooking Perth’s skyline and the Swan River, Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the world's largest and most beautiful inner-city parks. Perched high on Mount Eliza, it provides unbeatable panoramic views of the city skyline, the winding Swan River, and the distant Darling Ranges - making it the city’s number one spot for photos, especially at sunset. The Western Australian Botanic Garden showcases over 3,000 species of the state’s unique flora, creating a dazzling display, particularly during the annual Wildflower Festival in September. Must-see attractions include the tranquil Federation Walkway (a treetop walk with glass bridges) and the massive Gija Jumulu Boab Tree, transported 3,200 km from the Kimberley. With beautiful memorials, popular nature-based playgrounds, and free guided walks, Kings Park is an essential and easily accessible Perth experience.

Highlight: Wildflower season from late August to October.

5. Australian National Botanic Gardens, ACT

At the foot of Black Mountain in Canberra, the Australian National Botanic Gardens offers a fun and fascinating journey through the country's unique plant life, displaying the world's most comprehensive collection of native Australian flora. This is a chance to walk through a misty Rainforest Gully, step into the vibrant red soil of the Red Centre Garden to see plants straight out of the outback, and explore the tranquil Eucalypt Lawn perfect for a picnic. The gardens are an adventure for the whole family, featuring the popular Paperbark Treehouse and the engaging 'Who Did That?' Children's Trail. With daily guided walks, the award-winning Pollen café, and stunning views of the capital, this garden provides a gorgeous, easily accessible retreat that celebrates the beauty and diversity of Australia's natural heritage.

Tip: Visit during spring or after rain for the best flowering displays.

6. Adelaide Botanic Garden, SA

This 19th-century garden is a blend of European design and Australian innovation. Right in the heart of the city, the Adelaide Botanic Garden is a peaceful escape into a world of diverse plant life and stunning architecture. Wander the magnificent Ficus Avenue lined with 150-year-old Moreton Bay Fig trees, whose sprawling roots look straight out of a fairy tale. Don't miss the iconic glasshouses: step inside the magnificent Bicentennial Conservatory to experience a lush rainforest environment, or admire the intricate Victorian-era Palm House, imported from Germany in 1877. For a touch of vibrant colour, the International Rose Garden is a must-see, especially in spring and autumn. With dedicated spaces like the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden for kids, guided walks, and even an award-winning fine dining restaurant, this 50-hectare garden offers something for every visitor.

Don’t miss: Late afternoon light filtering through the Bicentennial Conservatory.

7. Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, TAS

Established in 1818, Hobart’s Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are rich in heritage charm. This magnificent cool-climate garden is located just a short distance from the city centre on the stunning Queens Domain. As Australia's second-oldest botanic garden, it's packed with history and unique treasures, like the curious Subantarctic Plant House, which creates a chilly, misty environment to showcase the rare flora of Macquarie Island. Take a peaceful stroll around the tranquil Lily Pond, admire the calming design of the Japanese Garden, or explore the historic Arthur Wall, which was once controversially heated to grow exotic plants! The gardens are a great place to learn about Tasmania's unique native plants, enjoy a picnic on the sprawling lawns, or grab a bite to eat at the on-site cafe, all while enjoying lovely views over the River Derwent.

Highlight: In autumn, the deciduous trees around the Japanese Garden turn a brilliant mix of gold and crimson.

8. Cairns Botanic Gardens, QLD

A tropical paradise near the heart of Cairns, the Cairns Botanic Gardens is celebrated as one of Australia's best showcases of vibrant tropical plants from Northern Queensland and around the world. Step inside the beautifully designed Watkins Munro Martin Conservatory to be surrounded by delicate orchids, fascinating pitcher plants, and beautiful butterflies in a steamy, lush environment. Beyond the formal Flecker Garden, you can explore the Rainforest Boardwalk, which takes you on an immersive journey through dense, vine-laden rainforest leading to the tranquil Centenary Lakes, a great spot for birdwatching and a picnic. With free entry, excellent on-site cafes, and the adjacent Tanks Arts Centre for unique art and markets, this garden offers a spectacular and colourful escape into the beauty of the Wet Tropics, just minutes from the city.

Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid the tropical heat.

9. Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha, QLD

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha is Queensland’s premier subtropical garden, offering a massive 56-hectare oasis of lush, colourful, and exotic plants that’s completely free to explore. This stunning retreat is packed with themed zones to wander through, from the peaceful tranquility of the Japanese Garden with its koi-filled ponds, to the striking beauty of the Tropical Display Dome, which feels like stepping into a humid, faraway jungle. For families, the Hide 'n' Seek Children's Trail is a huge hit, offering a fun adventure with hidden sculptures and surprises, and there’s an awesome nature-themed playground nearby. Whether you're relaxing by the ornamental lakes, smelling the herbs in the Sensory Garden, or grabbing a bite at the on-site cafe, Mount Coot-tha offers a wonderful day out exploring the sheer beauty of the tropical world.

Don’t miss: Frangipani and orchid displays in late summer.

10. Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, SA

Set in the Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden offers a cool-climate escape filled with rhododendrons, maples and camellias. Famous for its breathtaking seasonal colour changes, a visit in autumn is a must-do as the expansive slopes explode in a panorama of gorgeous reds, golds, and oranges from its deciduous trees. The garden's design is defined by sprawling hillside gullies, including the incredibly tranquil Fern Gully which provides a misty, temperate rainforest escape even on a hot day. You can stroll for hours along the extensive walking trails, past collections of beautiful rhododendrons and magnolias, and enjoy the serenity around the Main Lake. With the chance to spot koalas, kangaroos, and even the rare Southern Brown Bandicoot, this free-entry garden is a wonderful spot for invigorating walks, picnics, and experiencing the majestic beauty of the Adelaide Hills landscape.

Best time to visit: Autumn, when the hills blaze with red, gold and orange foliage.

Plan Your Visit

Entry: All of these gardens are free to enter, though donations are welcome. Many offer paid tours as well.

Best time to visit:

Spring: wildflowers in Perth, Sydney and Canberra
Autumn: maples and cool-climate colour in Tasmania and Adelaide
Winter: camellias in Sydney and Melbourne

Facilities: Most gardens include cafés, picnic areas and accessible paths.

Use our interactive Garden Directory to explore each garden in detail and plan your next trip.

Final Thoughts

Australia’s botanic gardens tell the story of our landscapes - from arid red deserts to lush tropical forests. Each one reflects its region’s climate, character and creativity. Whether you’re planning a weekend outing or a cross-country garden journey, these ten gardens are the perfect places to start.