Established in 1816, the Royal Botanic Garden covers 30 hectares and has over 27,000 plants, right in the middle of Sydney’s CBD. With landmarks like Sydney Harbor and the Opera House as its neighbours, it is in the perfect setting.
Getting there is easy, with Circular Quay only a five-minute walk away with its buses, ferries and trains, making the Gardens are very accessible.
Walking through the gardens, you come across numerous plants and trees, all labelled with their names. Changed seasonally, the gardens are a constantly renewing landscape.
Scattered throughout, are statues and sculptures, all of which add to the fun of the walk. One of the highlights, is the koala sculptures, complete with glasses.
Giant Floral Koala
Giant Floral Bee
The Satyr
Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain
Don’t miss a visit to the Calyx, as its current display of carnivorous plants is amazing. We spent a long time looking around at all the different species on display. Take a look at their website for opening-times and what the current display is.
The Calyx
Pitcher Plants The Calyx
Pitcher Plants The Calyx
The Royal Botanic Gardens are surrounded by 34 hectares of manicured gardens in the Domain. This encompasses Mrs Macquarie’s Chair with magnificent views over Sydney Harbour.
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
What Did We Think?
The Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney is a great place to visit and wander through, as its ever changing landscape always has something new to offer. Its amazing location on Sydney Harbour with the Opera House and Bridge nearby, give is a great backdrop. The Garden is worth visiting, for a relaxing walk in the centre of Sydney.
Located in the Domain, the Art Gallery of New South Wales opened in 1885 with two picture galleries. Over time additional wings and a foyer expanded the building to its current size.
Entry is free to the general collection, although entry to any special events or exhibitions is not.
How to Get to The Art Gallery of New South Wales
If driving, the Domain car park is within easy walking distance and is secure and undercover. The closest train station is Martin Place, only a ten-minute walk from the Gallery. The closest bus stop is Sheraton on the Park, Elizabeth St, followed by a 15 minute walk. Both walks go through the Domain parkland which has landscaped gardens, with shady trees and seats to relax on.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Entrance Foyer of the Art Gallery of NSW
The Art Gallery of New South WalesCollection
15th to 19th Century European Gallery
Filled with classical European paintings and sculptures, this gallery contains beautiful artworks from the 15th to 19th centuries. There is a large silver sculpture (The English Channel by Michael Parekowhai 2015), from the 21st century that clashes with the other works, because of its chrome finish.
The English Channel by Michael Parekowhai 2015
Bronze Sculpture
Bronze Sculptures
The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon by Sir Edward John Poynter 1890
Australian Gallery
One of the reasons for the Galley’s foundation, was to encourage interest in the arts in Australia. To this end it has expanded from simply showing European art, to exhibiting Australian artists.
Represented here are famous Australian artists, such as Sidney Nolan and Russell Drysdale in addition to many others.
First-class Marksman by Sidney Nolan 1946
The Camp by Sidney Nolan 1946
Five in a Row by Richard Larter 1961
Crucifixion by Russell Drysdale 1946
Nocturne No. 3 Commonwealth Lane by Danila Vassilieff 1958
Atlas by Colin Lanceley 1965
Lowy, Gonski Gallery
Busts in the Lowy, Gonski Gallery
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Gallery
Showcased in its own gallery, the unique style of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is a great contrast to classical art in the other galleries. Often colourful and always reflecting the artists culture, this was a great gallery to wander around.
Contemporary Aboriginal Art Work
Aboriginal Art Work
Aboriginal Message Sticks
Contemporary Galleries
The contemporary galleries display art that reflects current culture, covering the 1960s to present in all media types.
Clockwork for Oracles by Ugo Rondinone 2010
Asian Gallery
Following the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879, the Government of Japan gifted a large group of ceramics and bronzes to the Gallery. This initial collection has now expanded to cover two floors, making the gallery a leading centre for Asian art. Today, the wide-ranging Asian collection embraces many countries and cultures of Asia.
Asian Exhibition
Entrance Court and Special Exhibits
Often displaying large murals that reflect the current special exhibits, the Entrance Court is large, bright and open. It leads to most of the other galleries. Pick up a map at the reception desk, to ensure you can find your way around. The internal floor plan of the gallery is complex and it’s easy to miss exhibits.
The Gallery Shop contains an extensive array of books and gifts relating to the gallery. If you need a reference book, or want to learn more about an artist, this could be the pace to find it.
Japanese Supernatural Exhibition
Japanese Supernatural
Art Outside the Gallery
Adorning the walls of the Gallery’s entrance a series of bronze sculptures, representing classical European art. Throughout the Domain, sculptures of Burns, Robertson (a politician) and contemporary themes add to the fun of walking around.
Sir John Robertson Statue
Opposite the Art Gallery
Front of the Art Gallery
The Matchsticks
Burns Statue
Where to Eat
If you get hungry before, during or after you visit, the gallery has a cafe where you can refuel before admiring the art works on display.
If you would rather eat outside, a restaurant and associated bar across the road offer meals snacks and drinks.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
An easy half-hour walk south from Coogee Beach will take you past some interesting rock pools and memorials.
How to Get to Coogee
A small car park at Coogee Beach is often full, so finding a spot to park in one of the surrounding streets might be needed. On a busy weekend, or school holidays, you might end up with a walk, but don’t worry, it’s worth it.
Public transport is a great option, as there’s a bus stop outside the surf club on Arden Street.
What to Do There
Apart from spending time on the beautiful beach, Coogee is the start of the Coogee to Bondi Walk. A coastal walkway also heads south, along well-formed trails, providing excellent coastal views. The trail passes rock pools and swimming baths, which are all worth stopping to see.
Having walked the track to Bondi before, we chose the Coastal Walk to the south, which took 30 minutes each way (going as far as the Ivor Rowe Rock Pool).
Ross Jones Memorial Pool
Located next to the Coogee Surf House, the Ross Jones Memorial Pool was built in 1947. During high tide and rough seas, waves crash over the concrete walls of the pool.
Ross Jones Memorial Pool Coogee
Ross Jones Rockpool Coogee
Fallen Lifesavers National Memorial
Located on the foreshore, Goldstein Reserve is the Fallen Lifesavers National Memorial. Dedicated to Australian lifesavers killed during World War One the sculpture shows a digger alongside a surf lifesaver. Standing next to a flagpole, both look out across the ocean.
Fallen Lifesavers National Memorial
Wylie’s Baths
Established in 1907, by champion long distance and underwater swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie, Wylie’s Baths is a beautiful ocean tidal pool. Managed by an independent Trust The baths open 365 days a year and caters for everyone from young children to seniors. There is an entry cost to swim here.
Wylie’s daughter Wilhelmina, along with Fanny Durack, were Australia’s first two female Olympic swimming representatives. The first gold and silver swimming medals for a women’s event in the Olympics went to Durack and Wylie respectively.
A memorial to Mina stands near the baths.
Wylie’s Baths
Mina Wylie
Coastal Views Around Coogee
Ivor Rowe Rockpool
A small, natural rock pool, the Ivor Rowe Rockpool is a great place for wading, or relaxing in the water. Rocks around the pool mat become slippery, so use care when climbing down.
Around 2 km from Coogee Beach, the walk there passes many other pools, along with beautiful coastal views.
Ivor Rowe Rockpool
What Did We Think?
We loved the views and the rock pools along the walk, as well as learning the history of Mina Wylie. A fun place to visit with swimming options away from the ocean, or relaxing on the beach.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
