I love Spring. Winter can drag on in Tasmania and Spring is a welcome relief. Yes, it can be cold or wet (or cold and wet!) but the sunshine and flowers cheer me up no end. So, what do you do on a sunny Saturday in Spring? You head to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, that’s what!
If, like me, this is your first visit in too long, you’ll notice a few changes. You’ll notice the new “Hub” near the top gate, where you can find assistance, grab a map of the gardens or buy some plants. The lily pond also has a new viewing platform shaped like a series of lily pads. If, like me, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens brings back a flood of childhood memories, you’ll be pleased to know that the main attractions are still there.
My first stop is always the lily pond with its beautiful white bridge. There’s many a grand photo to be taken here, particularly in Spring. Next, I head up the hill to the Fernery. My mission as a child was to run up and down the steps around the waterfalls as fast as I could. Now, I just like the serenity.
From here, walk across and then down until you find the floral clock. Look up the hill to the gorgeous arch and then head down the hill to the Rotunda. From here, aim for the gorgeous brick wall. There are toilets to the left or you can head on through to my favourite part of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
The Japanese Gardens take serene to a whole new level. You’ll find a compact maze of beauty. This part of the garden is set up as a series of “rooms” joined by a series of cascades and ponds. A special treat for us on Saturday was that the resident kookaburra decided to pose in just about every photo I took of the Japanese Gardens!! As a kid, I absolutely loved walking over the wooden boards, watching the waterwheel turn, crossing the red bridge and clambering up Mount Fuji. You can’t do the latter nowadays but you can still view the mountain, if you can find it! On the way back to the main gardens, stop and admire my favourite fountain. Mr. Traversing Tasmania describes it as a plane wreck but I think that it’s fascinating.
From here, spy Government House through the trees and head back through the brick wall (further up this time). The Tasmanian Community Food Garden is always interesting to view and is a fabulous idea. Mind you, the garden beds stand where my second-favourite part of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens used to be: The Cactus House. The cacti have now been relegated to the back part of the community garden but they are still fascinating to look at.
On your right, you’ll eventually find the Conservatory. The building is beautiful and there is always a lovely display, no matter what the time of year. Before you enter though, head to a less balmy part of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. The Sub-Antarctic Plant House is just up the hill from the Conservatory and it is a blast, literally! You’ll feel the climate and admire the fauna of Macquarie Island. Brace yourself!
2018 is the 200th anniversary of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. If you haven’t visited the gardens yet, you should. The variety of plants and programs on offer is fabulous. Or, you can ignore all the scientific names and the events and instead do what any sane child would do: just get lost. Around each corner is something new to discover. It’s like finding the walled garden in The Secret Garden.
What to Bring
If you know your way around and have limited time, you can just about squeeze the best of the Gardens into an hour. If you’d like to take your time and explore everything thoroughly, you’ll need at least two hours. This means that you’ll need to ditch your heels and don your trusty walking shoes. You’ll also need weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection and food and water.
Getting There
You’ll find the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is next door to Government House on the Royal Domain. It’s about a five-minute drive from Hobart’s CBD towards the Tasman Bridge. Turn left onto Lower Domain Road once you have passed the Aquatic Centre. There’s plenty of parking on site. You’ll also find a small car park just off Domain Highway if you’re travelling to the Gardens from the eastern shore.
Cost
Entry to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is via donation. For a relatively cheap family day out, bring your own picnic gear. If you’re hungry and haven’t come prepared, there is a kiosk (Sprout) or the main restaurant (Succulent) to choose from. You can also purchase botanically themed items from the gift shop or a small range of plants from the new “Hub”. I highly recommend the picnic option if the weather is fine as there’s nothing quite like hunting down the perfect picnic spot in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
Nearby attractions include Government House, the Shot Tower and, if you have a spare day, Bruny Island. Explore Tasmania’s south, east coast, midlands or central highlands or, further afield, north, north west, and west coast. Happy traversing!