TRAVEL DIARY: SYDNEY
I’ve visited Sydney numerous times, yet I’ve never had the chance to explore the Botanic Gardens until now. One of the perks of hosting visitors from overseas is discovering places I wouldn’t typically think to visit. This is the entrance to the Gardens, Austtalia’s oldest botanic gardens with all its natural beauty.
Besides plants and trees, the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney contains many varied and interesting statues.
This is the Lewis Wolfe Levy drinking fountain which is an Art Nouveau bronze statue of a young girl standing amid reeds, a heron and frogs.
As I stood amidst the towering giants of the Gardens, I couldn’t help but feel small and insignificant. Each tree seemed to stretch endlessly towards the sky
I was surprised to see banana plants, as I had always believed that bananas only grew in tropical regions.
Sydney Botanic Gardens boast a stunning array of blooms throughout the year, showcasing a kaleidoscope of colors and textures.
This is the Macquarie Wall and this section is one of the earliest surviving structures of European settlement of Australia. It was conserved and stabilized in 1989.
Inside is the Lion Gate Lodge built in 1878 and is a stunning Victorian sandstone building. It is guarded by two iron statues, “The Lion” and “The Lioness” which were presented to the Botanic Gardens in 1912.
This carving, completed in 2011, has been made on the trunk of an old Forest Red Gum which had grown in the Garden for over 200 years.
YuraBirong, which means ‘People of this Place’, was carved by Aboriginal artists Glen Timbery and Vic Simms.
The Maiden Memorial Pavillon to commemorate the Director of the Botanic Gardens.
The Garden offers an oasis in the heart of Sydney, providing expansive views of the harbour.
La Ballerina is a life-sized classical marble statue.
Sydney’s Botanic Gardens offer a serene escape in the heart of the city. At the Main Pond, visitors, young and old, alongside birds, enjoy the tranquil environment, perfect for relaxation on the benches and connection with nature.
‘Mare and Foal` is a bronze statue by the french artist, Arthur J. le Duc, purchased in 1891, and donated to the Royal Botanic Gardens in 1958.
This is a sandstone replica of an ancient Greek relic, known as the Greek Lysicrates Monument. The original was carved from marble and was erected in Athens in 334BC near the Acropolis.
A bronze ‘Venus’ fountain located in the Main Pond at Farm Cove.
Lunch at the café in the Botanical Gardens was a unique experience. While I appreciated the healthy options, such as limited choices, I think I was the only one who enjoyed it. 🤣🤣🤣
In addition to the flowering plants, I particularly enjoyed exploring the Cactus and Succulent Garden. Towards the end of our walk, we discovered a captivating walled cactus rockery.
Near the exit, is the Museum and Lecture Hall and some seats. Also additionally, there’s a selection of plants available for purchase, which we would have loved to take advantage of if we were local.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Royal Sydney Botanic Gardens, especially that I was with my family. Exploring the diverse flora and tranquil settings was a delightful experience that allowed us to bond and create lasting memories together amidst nature’s beauty.
I am linking this to Jo’s Monday Walk
PR and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-Sculpture
Cee’s FOTD Challenge
Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge
Xingfumama’s Pull Ip a Seat Challenge
Thanks for the tour! Great photos.
Thanks a lot Rebecca. My pleasure. ❤️
Isn’t it a lovely place, Teresa! Whether you want wide open spaces or somewhere more enclosed to sit, it’s a very beautiful park. Many thanks for sharing!
Yes it was a great place to stroll. It was so big that I think we didn’t see all of it. Happy to share, Jo!
Funny how things work out because Mel posted Melbourne’s botanical park earlier in the week and initially I thought I was seeing double, but they’re nothing alike.
Which one is Mel’s? I have to visit her site.
She actually linked to the Gouarec gardens post which was a couple of weeks back. Sorry for slow reply. We’re at the beach, catching a breeze 🌞💙
Oh wow, jealous! Continue having a great time, Jo.
It’s hot! Mick’s birthday tomorrow so I’m just planning lunch with a couple of friends 🤗🩵
Happy Birthday!
Thanks!
This multi-tasking post deserves a wide audience. These seem fabulous gardens.
Haha you noticed. Thanks Margaret.
Great photos! I’ve visited this garden, but it seems like I missed a lot.
You have to go back then haha
😄
The thing I remember is the enormous bats. I wonder if they are still there. Lovely photos.
Oh I don’t like bats. It was good I didn’t see it.
Oh it’s my kind of place, Teresa! The sculptures are looking lovely! Thanks for sharing.
It is my pleasure, PR. ❤️
I love visiting botanical gardens and this one looks really lovely!
Thanks for the visitJoanne.
I’m a big love of Botanic Gardens. We have one very close to our house that I walk through most days. I’ve never been to Sydney BG but hope to visit one day. I love your photos.
Thanks so much Jennifer, happy that you liked my photos. Yes, I sure hope you can visit the Sydney BG next time.
Teresa, Sydney RBG looks beautiful. The sculptures are all attractive. I’d love to visit Sydney and Sydney RBG one day. Thank you for your PPAC contribution.
Thanks for liking it, Natalie. I hope you can visit our ‘far away’ country one day.
Lovely to come across your post, Teresa on the Weekend Coffee Share. I was planning to head into the Botanic Garden on Sunday to check out a watercolour exhibition, which is on there. Do you come across it? Looking at your post, I’m thinking you didn’t. Did you make it to the Bastille Day Festival, whicvh was on at Circular Quay and The Rocks over the weekend? My daughter and I were there on Friday, and here’s a link to that post: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2024/07/15/bastille-festival-sydney-2024/
So much to see, and never enough time, but I did enjoy your tour and still might get there in time for the exhibition.
Best wishes,
Rowena
No I didn’t but that’s because I am here in Melbourne and not in Sydney. I just went there a few months back when my sister and niece came to visit. Will head over there to look at your link. Thanks Rowena.
I love the mare and foal statue, it’s beautiful 🙂
Fantastic gardens. I think I’d have to dedicate a couple of days to seeing it thoroughly.
Well that’s true.
What beautiful gardens. I wouldn’t have thought the bananas grew anywhere else either.
Well, now we know. 🤣