Opened in 1988 by the Duchess of York, it was formerly grazing farmland, but now displays over 4,000 native plants species from around Australia, with the aim to include many of our 25,0000 known plant species.

The botanic garden offers a number of attractions and houses their horticultural research facilities and NSW Seedbank. There are a number of easy walks, nursery, shop, cafe and kiosk to also enjoy.

The gardens are located at:

Points of Interest
All these points of interest can be found on the numerous brochures available from the Visitor Centre.

• Wollemi Pine
  Opposite the Visitor Centre and Garden Shop you can view the botanical find of the centre, the Wollemi Pine.
  
• Terrace Garden
  Starting opposite the Visitor Centre, you can follow the path through ancient ferns cycads and conifers, continuing on past some of the earliest forms of rainforest. Beyond these are the recently evolved flowering plants including grass trees, grevilleas and gum trees, to finally end at The Lakes.
  
• Lakeside and Grasslands
  Lake Fitzpatrick and Lake Sedgewick (the lower lake) are named after local pioneer families who once owned and farmed the land which now form part of Mount Annan Botanic Garden. If you walk through the native grasslands along the ridge, you will see how close the new houses have come to the western boundary.
  
• Sundial of Human Involvement
  Located on sundial Hill, about 1 km along Caley Drive, near a saddle of Mount Annan. From here, there are spectacular 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside, and on a clear day you will see the city of Sydney to the north-east and the Blue Mountains to the west.
  
  The Sundial of Human Involvement is dedicated to the memory of Winifred Macarthur-Onslow, who lived in and loved this countryside, and is a gift to the Mount Annan Botanic Garden from her daughters.
  
• Lake Nadungamba and Bird Hide
  Lake Nadungamba (Lake of the Flowers), has a bird hide, that can give you views across the Lake and an ideal spot to watch the waterbirds that can include coots, grebes, spoonbills and occasionally black swans.
  
• Historic Water Canal
  Located south of Lake Nadungamba, and constructed in the late 1800s, this was a main supply canal for Sydney bringing water from the southern dams. The 66 km water flow is entirely gravity fed and is now the main supply of water for the garden.
  
• The Volcano
  Located north of Mount Annan summit, this hill is a volcanic plug. The hard dolerite rock that occurs here was quarried many years ago for road base. After the summer rains, native grasses can be found growing here.
  
• Mount Annan Summit
  Mount Annan Summit has the highest point in the botanic garden. On the western side of the hill there is still evidence of the large-scale African Olive weed invasion that was first introduced by the 19th century pioneers. Work continues to prevent the weed spreading, as more replanting of native species continue. Colonies of Wallaroos and Swamp Wallabies can be seen here in the early morning or evening. Wallaroos are dark grey, with coarse fur, and the males are darker around the nostrils. Swamp Wallabies are brown with black ears, feet and tail, and with an orange belly.
  
• Wildflower Festival - Native Paper Daisies Display
  In 1699, William Dampier collected from Shark Bay in Western Australia, the first Australian daisy, a Brachyscome.
  
  Today, spring heralds one of Mount Annan Botanic Garden's most popular features, the paper daisy beds at Lakeside and the Terrace Garden. The flowers are grown from seed stock that originated from Western Australia. Seeds and information about how to grow them are available from the Visitor Centre.
  
• Banksia Garden
  Located on the south loop of Caley Drive, Banksia Garden displays members of the banksia family (family Proteaceae) that include banksias, hakeas and grevilleas. This is a good spot for a picnic or barbecue.
  
• Wattle Garden
  Only 300 m from the Banksia Garden you will see tree species of wattle on the right hand side. This is the Wattle Arboretum. A kilometre further on your left is the Wattle (Acacia) Garden. Spring is the peak time to see the wattles in full bloom.
  
• Bottlebrush Garden
  About 150 m past the Wattle Garden is the Bottlebrush (Callistemon) Garden. The peak flowering period is late October to early November, with a subsequent flowering in autumn. The garden includes picnic and barbecue facilities.
  
• Trees from around Australia
  The botanic garden contains some wonderful examples of the many Australian trees including River Red Gums (Eucalyptus obtusa), Kurrajongs (Brachychiton populneus subsp. trilobus), Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius), Queensland Bottle Trees (Brachychiton rupestris), Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans), Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), Mugga Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon), Camden White Gum (Eucalyptus benthamii), to name just a few. Some trees have been planted in special 'themed gardens' with picnic and barbecue facilities available within them.

Brochures and pamphlets are available from the Visitor Centre.

Images
View some of our images from Mount Annan Botanic Garden.