Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan — Attraction in Sydney

Beautiful gardens let down by predatory overflow parking arrangements.

I visited on 18th August to check out the MTB trails with my 12yo. Had a nice ride then wanted to stop by the cafe on the way out. Overflow parking was poorly signed and confusing. What's worse, the controllers issued us a $275 fine when we approached asking for help. Terrible end to a nice day out. Read on for tips to avoid the parking trap...

We approached the main parking area on Cunningham Drive.

The additional parking sign was set up before the P3 Parking was full sign, so there was no way to know that we should go to additional parking. Once we could see the P3 full sign, there were no directions to the additional parking. However, overflow parking was clearly visible where Cunningham Dr turns left towards Lake Sedgwick. As a result, we ended up in the middle of several cars that rounded Cunningham Dr and found the overflow parking exit.

At the exit sign, there were also no further directions. So, we looked for a controller who might be able to advise. We drove to the controller to ask how to find the entrance. Instead of providing help, they took photos and told us we might as well park since we were here already. We then asked the attendants in the parking lot what to do and they pointed to a parking spot without any information regarding fees or fines.

When we were leaving, we tried to explain to the controllers why we and other drivers were confused. We thought it could be fixed by moving the P3 full sign or having someone direct traffic. The controllers seemed angry at the suggestion. All this while they were sitting just inside the exit sign taking pictures of more confused drivers rather than standing next to the exit sign to safely direct traffic to the entry.

Overall, we tried 3 times to engage with the controllers to understand the intended traffic flow. The behaviour we encountered was confrontational and did not reflect a duty public safety. So it was demoralising to receive a $275 fine. I hope the trust will consider reimbursing the fine. More importantly, I hope they will review traffic control arrangements for the safety and comfort of future visitors to this beautiful...

The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, located in southwestern Sydney, is a stunning natural escape that showcases the beauty and diversity of Australia's native plants. Covering over 400 hectares, it is the largest botanic garden in the country dedicated exclusively to Australian flora. Families, nature lovers, and plant enthusiasts alike will find something to enjoy here.

One of the highlights for families is the beautiful playground, perfect for children to explore, climb, and play in a safe and nature-filled environment. Surrounded by trees and grassy open spaces, it includes climbing nets, slides, and water play features that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Nearby picnic shelters and BBQs make it ideal for a full-day outing.

The garden is home to thousands of plant species, including rare and endangered ones. Visitors can walk through themed gardens, like the Banksia Garden, Eucalypt Lawn, or the Woodland Walk, each showcasing unique ecosystems. In spring, the wildflower displays burst into vibrant color, offering a spectacular sight for photographers and nature lovers.

Scenic walking and cycling trails wind through the gardens, offering opportunities to spot native birds and wallabies. The PlantBank, a research and conservation center, also provides interactive exhibits about seed science and plant conservation.

Whether you're looking to relax, learn, or play, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is a perfect destination. Its blend of natural beauty, education, and recreation makes it one of Sydney’s most special outdoor places. Entry is free, and parking is...

Went to see the paper daisy display which was sooo underwhelming. Online shots make it appear a lot bigger than it is. What made the entire experience worse was they had created an overflow car park which was very poorly signposted. We drove into the car park via a make-shift dirt road, to be greeted by someone taking photos of us and our car, telling us we would receive a fine because we drove down the exit path to enter the temporary/make shift car park. A few days later a fine for $275 came through the mail via NSW Govt. We tried to appeal the fine on the following grounds but were told no and that we had to pay it: Poorly signed entry meant we did not know we were going the wrong way. The only sign we saw was an exit sign which you couldn't see until you tried to exit. Unfair to slap us with a fine. Instead we feel we should have been advised of our error and given a warning. We had received some bad news about the pending arrival of our baby and went to the gardens to clear our minds and discuss our next steps and asked for some grace with the fine. I will NEVER return due to this. Who in their right mind chucks $300 fines or accidentally driving the wrong way down a road. So unfair! This happened to multiple people too which just proves the signage was inadequate. Not only that but the man issuing the fine was down right RUDE! Overall the daisy display wasn't worth the $275 fine we received. It's also not a great park. Stick to the one in the city, it's...