The Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney

What's on this winter at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Step away from the everyday this winter and rediscover the garden in a new light, with guided experiences and hands-on workshops happening every week across the cold season.

03 JUN 2026
Couple picnicking on lush lawn, under a fig tree, overlooking harbour

For culture seekers

Plants, people and living traditions

Plants connect people across time and culture. This winter, you can explore this relationship through experiences that share both traditional knowledge and contemporary practice. Discover the history of European medicinal plants and create your own herbal tea, or join a First Nations guided tour to learn about bush foods, cultural practices and deep connections to Country.

Winter Remedies from the Garden Sat 4 Jul 2026, 10am to 12pm

Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour every Thu, Fri and Sat, 11am to 12pm

Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour every Thu, Fri and Sat, 1pm to 2pm 

Make a day of it and book in to a Taste of Country Experience to experience a guided Bush Tucker tour and an exclusive three course shared lunch in one of Sydney’s most beautiful garden settings. Warm up on your walk before settling down to a Vietnamese shared tasting menu created by Luke Nguyen and inspired by Indigenous flavours.

End your visit at the Garden Shop, where you’ll find a beautiful range of homewares and gifts inspired by nature and Indigenous culture.

  • Tour guide touching tree foliage, with Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House in background
    Discover the beauty and history of Sydney Harbour through the lens of the Gadigal people on an Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour
  • Hands cup a range of native berries, fruits and flowers
    Learn about the traditional uses of Indigenous bush foods and how they have adapted to the modern palate and plate on an Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour.
  • Man on garden path, looking at signs and native grass trees.
    Learn about the history of this place at your own pace; walk the storyline of Cadi Jam Ora.
  • Two women with cool drinks at a restaurant overlooking gardens
    Cool down and enjoy a leisurely lunch or drinks at Botanic House

For the quiet ones

Slow down and tune into the senses 

Winter invites you to notice the details. The crisp air, the texture of leaves, the quiet sounds of the landscape. Experiences like the Sensory Garden Walk offer a gentle, guided way to reconnect through sight, sound, scent and touch, while monthly mindfulness sessions show how even a short time outdoors can support wellbeing.

Sensory Garden Walk Sat 6 Jun 2026, 10am to 11am

Mindfulness in the Garden first Friday of every month, 12pm to 1pm

  • Two people walk through an immersive exhibit with giant prop bowerbird nest and tropical plants
    Explore the inner workings of rainforests at Alchemy of a Rainforest
  • Kids in a tropical rainforest garden, peering out from behind a tree
    Kids love exploring the tropical garden areas

For green fingers

Grow your knowledge and green skills  

Winter is an ideal time to build confidence as a gardener. Workshops cover everything from designing lush small spaces to learning the fundamentals of propagation. Behind the scenes tours of the glasshouse reveal rare and fascinating species, offering insight into the care and science behind the collection.

Gardening in Small Spaces Sat 27 Jun 2026, 9.30am to 12.30pm

Propagation Workshop Sat 22 Aug 2026, 9.30am to 12.30pm

Behind the Scenes Glasshouse Tour 2nd and 4th Wed of each month, 11am to 12.45pm

  • Tour group walking with guide along Sydney Harbour in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
    Experience the very best of the Garden and see the highlights with a guided walk

On the day essentials

Many tours and experiences require bookings, so please check in advance. Also confirm dates and session times to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Remember to check the weather before you head out and bring the essentials:

  • sunscreen, hat and sun-safe clothing
  • water bottle
  • an umbrella/raincoat for those summer downpours.

For sun seekers

Create, craft and take something home

Creativity comes alive in winter through hands on workshops inspired by the Living Collection. Step into a miniature world of moss and ferns and create your own living landscape, or discover the hidden colours within plants as you print and dye silk using materials gathered from the Garden. These experiences offer both learning and a lasting connection you can take home.

Miniature Moss Garden Sat 20 Jun 2026, 10.30am to 12pm

Natural Dyeing and Ecoprinting Workshop Sat 18 Jul 2026, 10am to 12pm 

  • Woman reading a book on a shaded Garden bench
    Relax at one of the many shady, idyllic garden spots

For explorers

Experience the Garden your way

Head off the beaten path and make your own way across the Garden, or for a more relaxed and personalised experience, private buggy tours offer a comfortable way to explore the Garden’s history, seasonal highlights and remarkable trees. Led by expert guides, these tours reveal stories of science, conservation and the wildlife that call this place home, held every Friday 10.30am to 12.30pm by request.

Going it alone? Explore the secret corners that look their best in cold snaps. Pick up a map, grab a warm coffee, and make the day yours.

  1. Start at the Visitor Centre or Information Kiosk and grab a map to plan your day.
  2. The Garden comes alive in the rain, but if it's a real downpour, the fun continues indoors at Alchemy of a Rainforest.
  3. Pick your path: stroll through the Fernery or check out the cherry blossoms.
  4. Explore the weird and wonderful Succulent Garden in the late afternoon sun.
  5. End your visit at the Growing Friends Plant Sales, and take home a little piece of nature to remember the day.
  • Couple on a bridge over creek in tropical garden
    Discover some of the Garden's hidden gems
  • Couple enjoying cafe food on sunny outdoor terrace overlooking garden
    Grab a well-earned coffee or bite to eat at one of the Garden’s cafes. Pictured: Leaf Dept Cage at The Calyx.
  • cacti and succulents
    Discover the beautiful shapes and colours of the Succulent Garden.
  • Young couple walking through a shady and lush tropical garden at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
    Explore your own way through the Garden
  • Two people in a garden nursery, looking at plants for sale
    Shop a seasonal selection of rare native plants and take home a piece of the Gardens

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Information for your visit

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Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

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Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

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