Beautiful spot to get pictures of Opera House with Bridge behind it. The grounds are very well kept and they have signs that say Please walk on the grass, The birds we saw were unique. And the bats, wow that was amazing (and not at all creepy). We spent a whole morning here one day. Do not miss it.

The botanic gardens have a prime spot along the waterfront - right next to the Opera House. I'm not that keen on plants, but there are some real stunners in here. And the atmosphere in the gardens is a lot less hectic than the rest of the touristy bits of the city.

The views of the city skyline through the foliage are brilliant.

Best of all it's free to enter!

A stroll through parts of the gardens is well worth it, even if you are not an expert or extremely interested in plants. There are plenty of interesting sights, including birds (screeching cockatoos who let you take their photo up close), bats sleeping in the trees, fountains, palm trees, and of course a large variety of plants with interpretive signs. It's a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and a 15 minute walk will get you to fantastic views of the Sydney skyline over the water.

My wife and I spent an afternoon walking through the gardens and this has got to be one of the highlights from our short trip to Sydney. Way better than the Harbor Cruise, and comparable to seeing an Opera in the Opera House.

The succulent garden is amazing and the indoor tropical forest really gives you an idea of the different plants of Australia. The bats are cool to see hanging around, and the Australian birds wander around you as well. The lower gardens are wonderful for a stroll along the beautiful harbor.