In 1788 the first farm on the Australian continent was established by Governor Phillip at Farm Cove. The Botanic Gardens of Sydney was founded as part of the Governor's Domain in 1816, and was developed by Governor Macquarie on the site of the original farm.

In 1847 the first Director of the Gardens was appointed. He was succeeded by Charles Moore, who had trained in Trinity College in Dublin, and who held his role as director for an incredible 48 years. During those years Moore battled with the problems of poor soil, an inadequate water supply, and limited funding to establish the Gardens as a major scientific institution.

Sydney's first zoo opened in the Gardens in 1862, and remained there until 1883. During this time, much of the remaining natural vegetation in the area was turned into parkland. In 1879 the Garden Exhibition Palace was built. The building was classic Victorian architecture, and covered a total area of over two hectares. Sadly, the building was destroyed by fire in 1882, and the land it used to occupy has since been turned into the Palace Garden.

Joseph Henry Maiden, who succeeded Moore in 1896, arranged the construction of a herbarium building, which was opened in 1901.

Unfortunately, through the years of World War 1, the Gardens suffered greatly from loss of key staff, until finally in the 1930s the position of director was lost. Because of this, the Gardens and the Domain suffered greatly for many years - including the loss of the herbarium and many parts of the living collection - until Robert Anderson began work in 1945 to restore them to their former glory. In 1959 the title of 'Royal' was bestowed upon the Gardens, and since then, through a series of management changes, the Gardens have flourished.

Today the Gardens are a botanic garden of immense significance world-wide, both as a scientific institution and as a tourist attraction to over three million visitors a year.

The Sydney Tropical Centre houses Australian Tropical plants, and also provides conditions that allow for the display of humid lowland and montane tropical plants from around the world. The Fernery displays ferns from all over the world in a landscaped setting. A new Herb Garden has been built to house hundreds of examples of herbs , and also to identify the many and varied uses of them. Also of great interest is the Rose Garden, set in the old Palace Garden, and made possible by membership of the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

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