Behind the Opera
House and to the east of Circular Quay are the city's largest
gardens—30 hectares-worth (75 acres) of growing grounds for
approximately 7,500 species of plants and trees.
Dating from 1816, the garden was the early colony's first farm
and the spot where convicts planted their first vegetable plots.
Among the not-to-be-missed features are the National Herbarium of
New South Wales, Sydney Tropical Centre with its two glass houses,
and the succulent and rose gardens. During summer months, outdoor
performances of Shakespeare's works draw picnic-toting residents.
Located within the park are Government House (not open to the
public) and the Conservatorium of Music, designed by the famous
convict-architect Francis Greenway in 1817 as the colonial horse
stables. At the harbor end of the park is Farm Cove, lined with
shaded walkways.
