Sydney is home to Australia’s largest botanic garden. Located just under an hour’s drive south west of Sydney CBD, the sprawling grounds of The Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan are home to more than 4000 plants.
When you visit The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan you can explore the curated gardens, wander in the shade of native woodlands, and picnic on beautiful lawns. Around the gardens you’ll find walking tracks, picnic areas, BBQs facilities, a visitor centre, cafe, children’s playground, parking, toilets.
Whether you’re flying solo or have the entire family in tow, The Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan is the perfect spot for a day out in south west Sydney.
| Location: | 362 Narellan Road, Mount Annan |
| Public Transport: | Bus to and from Narellan Rd |
| Facilities: | Toilets Water bubblers Cafe |
| Accessibility: | Many paved pathways accessible for those using walkers or wheelchairs, or with prams Accessible toilets are available at multiple locations onsite |
| Dog-Friendly: | No, except for guide dogs, hearing dogs, and assistance dogs (learn more) |
History of The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
Located on Dharawal Country, The Australian Botanic Gardens Mount Annan was officially opened in 1988. At the time of its opening, it was called Mount Annan Botanic Garden, with the name changing to The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan in 2011.
Over the years since the gardens first opened in the late 1980s, there have been many improvements and milestone moments. In 1989 The Sundial of Human Involvement was built, in 1995 Wollemi Pine and Paper Daisies became part of the gardens, in 2007 the Stolen Generations Memorial opened, and in 2013 The Australian PlantBank research facility was established.
The gardens experienced increased popularity in 2011 with visitors tripling after the state government removed the entry fee.
Almost a decade on, another boost occurred during the pandemic. With travel restrictions keeping Sydneysiders closer to home, The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan experienced a 20% increase in visitation during the second half of 2020 vs the same period in the previous year. And in 2022, the gardens were visited by almost a million people.
Highlights of the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
One thing you should know about The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is that it’s a really big place. With that in mind, it’s worth doing a little bit of research to decide which areas you’d like to explore doing your visit. From the panoramic view atop sundial hill to the colourful plants in the Connections Garden, there’s plenty to see and do when you visit the gardens.
Paper Daisies in Spring
Nothing says welcome to spring quite like the field of paper daisies at The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
First planted in 1995, the paper daisies are now an annual crowd-pleaser with people coming from all over to catch a glimpse (and a selfie) with the pretty floral display.
The paper daisies are in bloom during September and early October. You’ll find the paper daisies right across from the visitor centre in the Connections Garden.
Connections Garden
Located in the heart of The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is the Connections Garden. You’ll find the Connections Garden right across from the visitor centre and cafe.
In the Connections Garden you’ll see a colourful display featuring everything from tropical rainforest to Australian natives. During spring you’ll also be able to see Waratahs in the Connections Garden.
This part of the garden is a popular outdoor wedding venue thanks to the picturesque rainforest setting with a water feature surrounded by ferns and palms.
Stolen Generations Memorial
The Stolen Generations Memorial is located in a beautiful, quiet bush setting off Cunningham Drive.
As you enter, you’ll walk under the shade of Cumberland Plain Woodland before arriving at the memorial, marked with informative signposts, and with a sculpture by Uncle Badger Bates as the focal point of the site.
The Stolen Generations Memorial opened in 2007 as a place of healing and reflection.
Stolen Generations Memorial sign,
Until 1970, between 10% and 30% of all Aboriginal children — up to 100,000 in total — were taken forcibly or under duress from their families by governments, churches, police or welfare officers. Most were under 5 yeas old. They are known as the ‘Stolen Generations’.
The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
Walking Tracks
Walking tracks are found in various parts of The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and you can enjoy a informal self-guided walk as you navigate your way around, or you follow one of the designated walks.
The Woodland Walk is a 4km walk (map here) on natural surface bush tracks that takes you through Cumberland Plain Woodland.
The Central Valley Walk is a 2.7km track (map here) on sealed pathways that passes by some of the garden’s highlights including the Connections Garden, the Lakeside Lawn, Mount Annan, and Sundial Hill.
Lakeside Lawn
Lake views, plenty of shade, some tables and bench seating, and not far from the car park — the Lakeside Lawn is a great spot to relax, unwind, and enjoy a picnic.
How to Get to The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is located about an hour’s drive south west of Sydney CBD. You can get to the botanic garden in Mount Annan by car or by bus. If you’re travellig by public transport, buses travel to the gardens from both Campbelltown and Macarthur train stations. And if you’re travelling by car, you’ll find plenty of parking areas at the gardens.
Map of The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
By Public Transport
You can get to The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan by public transport by taking a bus from Campbelltown or Macarthur train station to Narellan Road near the roads that turn off to enter the gardens.
The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is approximately 2km walk from the bus stop on Narellan Road. If you take the road before Mount Annan Drive, into Cunningham Drive, your walk into the gardens will pass by the Woodland Picnic Area and the walking path to the Stolen Generations Memorial. From there you can follow a walking track that will loop you around to the area whee you’ll find the Lakeside Lawn, Connections Garden, cafe, and visitor centre.
If you walk in along Mount Annan Drive, you’ll come more directly to the Connections Garden, cafe, and visitor centre as your first port of call.
When leaving the gardens, if you walk along Mount Annan Drive, you’ll find pedestrian crossings at the traffic lights at the end of the street so that you can cross to the bus stop on Narellan Rd after Tramway Dr to head back towards Macarthur and Campbelltown stations.
By Driving
If you’re driving to The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, you’ll find plenty of parking areas marked throughout the gardens. There are also accessible parking bays available.
Put Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan into your Google Maps or GPS and lookout for the turn off Narellan Drive to marked with a large sign at the traffic lights that reads ‘The Australian Botanic Garden’.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan from Sydney CBD?
The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is located approximately 60km and an hour’s drive south west of Sydney CBD.
What can I see and do at The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan?
When you visit The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, you can enjoy a picnic or BBQ, visit the gardens and see thousands of plants, take a self-guided walk, dine at The Gardens Cafe, see The Sundial of Human Involvement, spend time at the Stolen Generations Memorial, and explore the Cumberland Plain Woodland.
When can I see paper daisies at The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan?
You can see paper daises at The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan during early spring from September to early October.
Are the The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan accessible?
The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan has accessible parkin, toilet, and paved pathways in many areas of the gardens. Find out more about accessibility at the gardens here.
How much does it cost to enter The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan?
Entry to The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is free.
Can I host an event at The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan?
There are a number of areas at The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan that are available to hire for events including weddings. You can see all venues available to hire on the Botanic Gardens website.
Are dogs allowed at The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan?
Dogs are not allowed at The Australian Garden Mount Annan, with the exception of guide dogs, hearing dogs, and assistance dogs.
