Autumn at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Overview

As we bid farewell to the warmer months, the harbourside oasis that is the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a welcome spot for a wander.

The diverse gardens are a full of life throughout the year. From September till May you can breathe in the heavenly scent of the Palace Rose Garden in bloom; or, year round, you can stroll among desert plants from the world over in the Arid Biome or discover ancient ferns and palms — collected from the Australian Gondwanan Rainforest — in the Australian Rainforest Garden. This autumn, you can find workshops, exhibits and live music too — perfect for even the more nature-averse.

Under The Calyx's unique helix, creativity and plants form a stunning union in a host of free exhibitions. Head to Inside the Tide for a display of theatrical horticulture, where over 20,000 plants have been curated to interpret kelp forests, coral reefs and seagrass meadows.

From the Hive presents the work of Marijke Gilchrist for a sensory trip into encaustic paintings — that is, the fusion of beeswax, resin and pigment. Explorative paper works imagining our winged friends are on show at Birds of a Feather, and A Flash of Red uses life-size watercolours to celebrate the Brachychiton genus — whose species bloom vividly in the dryness of the Northern Territory bush.

Across four starry nights, Astronomy at The Calyx joins the mix. Hosted by First Nations astronomer Drew Roberts, you'll be treated to a glass of wine while you make astrological discoveries. Tickets are $41, but if you still have a Dine & Discover voucher handy it's the perfect opportunity to cash it in.

With May comes Mother's Day and a stellar lineup of workshops. There's Pickling With Cornersmith offering any acid-leaning mums the chance to learn from the experts; and for those that love a perfume, Essential Oil Blending grants a deep dive into botanical scents. Or, get your hands dirty making a jellyfish succulent hanging basket inspired by the aforementioned Inside the Tide exhibition.

Live classical music more your jam? On three separate Sundays — May 1, June 5 and July 3 — Bach at The Calyx will entertain audiences amidst leafy green surrounds. For 40 minutes, family-friendly performances celebrating the acclaimed composer's mastery will take place. Entry is by donation.

To find out more about the autumn happenings at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, head to the website.