Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

1788

The first European farm on the continent was here, and it failed

The first farm by European settlers on the Australian continent was set up at Farm Cove in 1788 by Governor Arthur Phillip. That farm failed, but the land has been in constant cultivation ever since, as ways were found to make the poor soil more productive.

1816

Governor Macquarie founded the garden in 1816

The Botanic Garden was founded on this site by Governor Macquarie in 1816, as part of the Governor's Domain. Australia's long history of collecting and studying plants began with the appointment of the first Colonial Botanist, Charles Fraser, in 1817. It is the oldest scientific institution in Australia.

The vines

The first vines of the colony grew in the garden

The wine-growing industry of New South Wales began in the Garden between 1829 and 1838. Some vines came out with the First Fleet in 1788. In 1832 James Busby donated a large collection of around 365 vine cultivars. In fact he had imported cuttings of over 540 vines, but at least 170 of them were dead on arrival or did not survive.

Charles Moore

One director shaped the garden over 48 years

Charles Moore, a Scotsman trained at the Botanic Gardens of Trinity College Dublin, was appointed Director in 1848 and remained for 48 years. He did much to develop the garden in its modern form, tackling the problems of poor soil and inadequate water. The Sydney herbarium collection was started in 1852 under his direction.

48years Charles Moore directed the garden

Today

Thirty hectares of garden on the harbour edge

The garden covers 30 hectares at Farm Cove, on the eastern edge of the city center. It opened in 1816 and is one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world. The Opera House and the parklands of The Domain make it one of the most visited attractions in Sydney.