Sydney - Royal Botanic Gardens 

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney is located on the eastern edge of the central business district. It is bounded by Mrs Macquaries Road, the Cahill Expressway and by Macquarie Street. Surrounding the Royal Botanic Garden is the open parkland of the Domain. The National Herbarium of New South Wales is located within the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The Botanic Gardens were founded by Governor Macquarie in 1816 as part of the Governor's Domain. The long history of study and collection of plants began with the appointment of the first Colonial Botanist, Charles Fraser, in 1817. The Royal Botanic Gardens is the oldest scientific institution in Australia.
The Royal Botanic Garden covers 30 hectares with 10960 plant groups from Australia and overseas on display. The Domain, a popular recreation area, extends over 28 hectares and its lawns, playing fields and paths are used daily by tourists and city workers. The oldest planted trees are Giant Watergrum and Hoop Pine. The wildlife includes White Ibis, Flying Fox, Brush-tailed Possum and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Many areas within the Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens are available for birthdays, weddings, corporate and special events, photography and filming, sporting events, conferences and meetings.