Looking for free things to do in Hobart? The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are a great place to spend a couple of hours, whether you’re interested in plants, history or simply enjoying some time outdoors.
Established in 1818, they’re Australia’s second-oldest botanical gardens and cover 14 hectares in the Queens Domain, just a short distance from central Hobart.
There’s plenty to explore, from the Japanese Garden and colourful seasonal displays to historic sandstone structures and the unusual Subantarctic Plant House, where you can experience the cold, damp conditions of Macquarie Island without leaving Hobart.
I’ll admit that before visiting, I wondered whether these gardens would be much different from others I’d seen around Australia. But there’s quite a bit here that makes them special, particularly the history and unusual plant collections.
And best of all, entry is completely free.
In this guide, I’ll share my favourite things to see at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, along with practical information to help you plan your visit.
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My Visit to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
On my first visit to Tasmania, I was travelling as part of a large group. Quite a few people visited the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and came back with glowing reviews.
It was spring, so the gardens were full of flowers, and their photos looked lovely. I didn’t make it there on that trip, but I added it to my list for next time.
When I realised our cruise ship would be stopping in Hobart, I decided this was the perfect opportunity.
We were visiting in summer, so I imagined a warm, sunny day wandering through the gardens, perhaps stopping for a picnic or relaxing on the lawns.
Tasmania had other ideas!
As we stepped off the ship, we were greeted by light drizzle, low clouds and strong winds. It was cold enough for layers and a beanie, which wasn’t quite what I’d expected from an Australian summer.
Still, we weren’t going to let a bit of weather stop us.
Walking to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens from Hobart
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are around a 30-minute walk from Hobart’s cruise ship terminal, depending on your route and walking pace.
Much of our walk followed the waterfront, with views across the River Derwent towards the Tasman Bridge.
The bridge is an important Hobart landmark, but it also has a tragic history.
In 1975, the bulk carrier Lake Illawarra collided with the bridge, causing a section of the roadway to collapse. Twelve people lost their lives: seven aboard the ship and five in vehicles that fell from the bridge.
The disaster cut off the main road connection between Hobart’s eastern and western shores. The bridge wasn’t fully reopened until 1977.
Part of our walk also took us through the Queens Domain, where we passed the Soldiers Memorial Avenue.
This avenue contains hundreds of memorial trees honouring Tasmanian servicemen who died during the First World War. Each tree commemorates an individual soldier.
It’s a lovely place to walk, but also a reminder of the area’s history.
By the time we reached the entrance gates, we were ready to get out of the wind and start exploring.
If you’re arriving by cruise ship, walking is a good option if the weather is reasonable and you’re comfortable with some uphill sections. Otherwise, a taxi or rideshare will get you there more easily.
A Little History of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are located on the traditional Country of the Muwinina people.
Established in 1818, they’re Australia’s second-oldest botanical gardens, after Sydney.
The land had previously been farmed to produce food for the early European settlement. It later became part of the Colonial Gardens, where plants from Tasmania and around the world were grown and studied.
Today, the gardens are home to an impressive collection of native and exotic plants, including rare and threatened species, and continue to play an important role in conservation and research.
But you certainly don’t need to know anything about botany to enjoy a visit.
I’m someone who loves wandering through a beautiful garden but has very little interest in actually doing any gardening!
I couldn’t identify most of the plants if you asked me. I’m much more interested in enjoying the scenery, discovering interesting features and finding somewhere peaceful to spend an hour or two.
And that’s exactly what I enjoyed here.
There are formal gardens, ponds, historic buildings, colourful flower displays and plenty of quiet corners to explore.
Even on our rather cold and damp summer visit, there was lots to see.
Highlights of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
The gardens cover 14 hectares, so there’s more here than you might expect.
These were some of my favourite things to look out for during a visit.
Floral Clock
The Floral Clock was installed in 1968 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
It’s one of the gardens’ historic features, with colourful plants arranged around the clock face.
The display changes throughout the year depending on what’s in season, so it may look quite different each time you visit.
Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden was one of my favourite areas to explore.
It was designed by Kanjiro Harada, a landscape architect from Yaizu, Hobart’s sister city in Japan, and opened in 1987.
The garden features traditional Japanese landscaping, with water, rocks, carefully selected plants and a lovely red bridge.
There’s also a small tea house and a water wheel, making it a particularly photogenic part of the gardens.
I loved the colours and peaceful atmosphere. The Japanese maples are particularly beautiful in autumn, while spring brings blossoms and new growth.
Even if you’re not particularly interested in plants, this is one section I’d recommend taking the time to explore.
Sub Antarctic Garden
The Subantarctic Plant House is one of the most unusual features of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and definitely worth a look.
This specially designed building recreates the cold, damp and windy conditions of Macquarie Island, a remote Australian island in the Southern Ocean, roughly halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica.
Step inside and you’ll notice the temperature drop immediately.
When we visited, it was just 6°C, although given the weather outside, it wasn’t quite as much of a shock as it might have been on a hot summer day!
The building houses plants adapted to the harsh subantarctic environment, including species from Macquarie Island.
It’s an interesting opportunity to see plants from a part of Australia that very few people will ever visit.
The collection also helps with the study and conservation of these unusual plants.
Tasmanian Community Food Garden
The Tasmanian Community Food Garden is quite different from the ornamental gardens, but one I enjoyed exploring.
Rather than flower beds and landscaped displays, this area is filled with vegetables, herbs and other edible plants.
The site has a long history of food production, dating back to the early European settlement of Hobart.
It was later known as Pete’s Patch and featured on ABC’s Gardening Australia before being redeveloped as the Community Food Garden in 2014.
Today it’s a working garden that follows organic gardening principles, with produce supplied to local charities.
During our visit, it was full of colourful vegetables, and I enjoyed seeing how much food could be grown in a relatively small space.
It’s a reminder that botanical gardens aren’t only about beautiful flowers and rare plants. They can also have a practical role in teaching people about growing food.
Conservatory
The Conservatory is one of the historic buildings at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
Opened in 1939, it has traditionally housed colourful seasonal flower displays and exotic plants that wouldn’t otherwise thrive in Tasmania’s cool climate.
When we visited, it was a welcome opportunity to step inside and escape the cold weather for a little while.
Note: The Conservatory is undergoing major restoration work and was still listed as closed in October 2026. Check the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens website for updates before your visit.
The Anniversary Arch
The Anniversary Arch is another interesting piece of history tucked away in the gardens.
Although it was installed here in 1968 to commemorate the gardens’ 150th anniversary, the arch itself is much older.
It was originally built in 1913 as part of the Australian Mutual Provident Society building on Elizabeth Street in Hobart.
When that building was demolished, the sandstone arch was donated to the Botanical Gardens.
It’s worth stopping for a closer look at the detailed stonework, created by local stonemason Amos Vimpany.
The Arthur Wall
The Arthur Wall is one of the most interesting historical features of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
Ordered by Governor George Arthur in 1829 and built in the early 1830s, it was designed to protect plants from Tasmania’s cooler weather.
The wall was constructed with furnaces and internal channels that could carry hot air through the brickwork, keeping the surrounding plants warm.
It was based on a technique used in England, but Tasmania’s climate turned out to be milder than expected, so the heating system was rarely needed.
One of the most surprising things about the Arthur Wall is its connection to pineapples!
A glasshouse built against the wall was used to grow exotic fruit, including some of Australia’s first cultivated pineapples.
Pineapples growing in Hobart in the 1830s! That’s certainly not something I expected to discover in a botanical garden.
The Arthur Wall is the only surviving wall of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, making it a particularly interesting piece of garden history.
French Explorers’ Garden
The French Explorers’ Garden celebrates the French explorers and botanists who visited Tasmania in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
At its centre is the French Memorial Fountain, a sculpture made from Huon pine by Tasmanian artist Stephen Walker.
The sculpture represents a French sailing ship and was unveiled in 1972 to commemorate early French exploration of Tasmanian waters.
Surrounding the fountain are native Tasmanian plants, reflecting the botanical interests of those early scientific expeditions.
It’s an interesting combination of history, art and botany, and a reminder that European explorers were studying Tasmania’s plants long before the botanical gardens were established.
Other Things to See at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
These are just some of the highlights I enjoyed, but there are plenty of other areas worth exploring.
The Lily Pond is a particularly peaceful spot, surrounded by greenery and with water lilies floating on the surface.
There’s also a Rose Garden, with colourful displays during the flowering season, and a collection of significant trees, some of which have been growing here for well over a century.
Other areas to look out for include the Tasmanian Flora Collection, Arid Collection, Palm Collection and Herb Garden.
One of the things I liked most was the variety. You can walk from a formal landscaped garden into an area that feels quite different, all within a few minutes.
And don’t forget to look up occasionally!
The gardens are also home to plenty of birdlife. We spotted a flock of brightly coloured parrots flying around, although they quickly disappeared into the higher branches before we could get a proper look.
I couldn’t tell you exactly what they were, other than green and red!
Even without knowing the names of all the plants or birds, there’s plenty to enjoy simply by wandering around and seeing what catches your attention.
Planning Your Visit to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
The gardens are just a couple of kilometres from central Hobart, making them an easy addition to your sightseeing plans.
Opening Hours and Entry Fees
Entry to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is free, although donations are welcome.
They’re open every day of the year, with seasonal opening hours:
- October to March: 8 am – 6:30 pm
- April to September: 8 am – 5 pm
The gardens may close during severe weather, so it’s worth checking the official website before your visit, particularly if strong winds are forecast.
How to Get There
The gardens are located on Lower Domain Road in the Queens Domain, around a 30-minute walk from central Hobart.
Walking is a good option if you have the time, although there are some uphill sections.
If you’re driving, parking is available near both the upper and lower entrances. You can also take a taxi or rideshare from the city.
The Red Decker Hobart hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus includes the gardens on its route, which could be convenient if you’re visiting several attractions in one day.
How Long Do You Need?
I’d recommend allowing around two hours to explore the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
You could see some of the main highlights in an hour, but it’s worth allowing longer to wander through the different garden areas without rushing.
If the weather is nice, you might like to spend half a day here, particularly if you’re planning to have lunch or a picnic.
Guided Tours
If you’d like to learn more about the gardens, one-hour scenic buggy tours are available with volunteer guides.
They’re a good option if you’d prefer not to walk around the entire site or would like to hear more about the history and plant collections.
At the time of updating, tours cost $30 for adults, $25 for concession holders and $10 for children.
Tours are subject to availability, so check the official guided tours page for current details and booking information.
Food and Facilities
You’re welcome to bring your own food and enjoy a picnic in the gardens.
There are also onsite dining options operated by Bird in Hand, including a restaurant, tasting room and kiosk, which opened following renovations in 2026.
The kiosk offers takeaway food and drinks, while the restaurant provides a more substantial dining option.
Toilets and accessible pathways are available, although some parts of the gardens are steep. There’s also a botanical shop selling gifts, plants and souvenirs.
Keep an eye out for special events and exhibitions, too. The gardens occasionally host festivals and other activities that could add something extra to your visit.
You can find more information about the facilities on the official website.
Are the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, particularly considering they’re free to visit.
I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy another botanical garden, but the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens turned out to have far more variety and history than I expected.
The Japanese Garden was lovely, the Subantarctic Plant House was something quite different, and I enjoyed discovering the stories behind features such as the Arthur Wall and Anniversary Arch.
Even the cold and drizzly weather didn’t spoil our visit, although I suspect it would have been even nicer on a sunny day!
If you’re spending a few days in Hobart, I’d recommend adding the gardens to your itinerary. They’re an easy way to spend a couple of hours away from the busier parts of the city, and you don’t need to be a gardening enthusiast to appreciate them.
For more ideas to help plan your trip, take a look at my three-week Tasmania road trip itinerary.
Interesting fact: according to their website, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is one of only six gardens in the world to use the “Royal” title in the name. There is one in the UK, two in Canada, as well as Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.
Looking for more things to do during your visit to Hobart? Have a look at these posts
A Port Arthur Day Trip from Hobart, Tasmania
Day Trip from Hobart to Richmond, Tasmania
Visiting MONA, Tasmania
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