It's remarkable that such a large park in the city center has no walls and is free to enter - a great benefit for Sydney residents. In China, this would definitely command a high entrance fee.
The vegetation is truly exceptional - almost everything except the walkways is covered in greenery, with vast lawns and trees. The garden houses many rare tropical plants. The most impressive were the aloe plants - having grown them at home for years, I thought mine were big, but the ones here are absolutely massive, robust, and in full bloom, attracting many bees. Many plants were completely unfamiliar to me.
The park's design is very visitor-friendly. Despite its size, there are benches everywhere you go, frequent restrooms, and wheelchair-accessible ramps. There are cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy food while taking in the scenery. There's also a Gothic-style Government House, which was once the residence of the New South Wales Governor. While you can't tour inside, you can admire it from the gates.
If you're short on time, there's a mini-train that you can ride for a fee. It takes you past all the attractions, and you can hop on and off at various stops - very convenient.
The Royal Botanic Gardens can be described in one word: "harmony" - between people, and between humans and nature.
There's a pond with a palm island in the middle - it's the perfect spot to photograph reflections of the CBD.
The garden features a uniquely designed greenhouse that makes for great photos.
Honestly, having visited Melbourne's Botanical Gardens, I didn't have high expectations for Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens. I thought it would be just another park with more plants and trees. However, this garden completely changed my understanding of what a botanical garden could be - perhaps because I was influenced by Chinese botanical gardens. Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens truly amazed me, truly worthy of the "Royal" title. Walking through it instantly lifted my mood.
The garden is divided into many smaller sections, with trees of all sizes and shapes, creating constant surprises. Its city center location creates beautiful scenes combining green spaces, blue skies, white clouds, and tall buildings. You can find perfect spots for photography here, including the best viewpoints for capturing the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. If you have enough time, strolling through the gardens or walking along the waterfront will be an absolutely delightful experience.