The Australian Institute of Botanical Science is a key pillar of Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
Our vision and values
Our organisation
Our science
Australia is home to approximately 24,000 species of plants, 87 per cent of which can't be found anywhere else on the planet. It's estimated that 2,000 species in our ecosystem are still to be discovered and documented. Amid climate change, habitat loss and the extinction crisis, we are fighting to conserve plant species and protect all life that depends on them.
The Australian Institute of Botanical Science (the Institute) works to discover, understand, and protect plants. The Institute brings together the people, the physical and virtual scientific collections, the research, the services and the facilities of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
The Institute's world-leading research and collections help us better understand the environment and our place in it while promoting sustainable practices and safeguarding the future of our planet.
This critical work is supported by the National Herbarium of New South Wales, the Australian PlantBank, the Daniel Solander Library, the living collections and our horticulture, science, education and conservation teams.
We work with First Nations peoples to preserve local habitats, decolonise our collections, and develop sustainable land management practices. In this spirit, we are increasingly focusing our research efforts on Australian biodiversity, showcasing more native plants in our Gardens, and integrating Aboriginal knowledge and heritage into visitor experiences.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (Gadigal Country)
Established in 1816, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is Australia's oldest botanic garden and oldest living scientific institution.
Situated across 30 hectares on the edge of the iconic Sydney Harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is home to an outstanding collection of more than 27,000 plants from around the world. Encompassing 15 themed gardens, including an Australian Rainforest Garden, a Tropical Garden and one of the largest green walls in the southern hemisphere inside The Calyx- it is a living testament to the beauty of nature, and one of Sydney’s top attractions for tourism and leisure.
Learn about the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
The Domain Sydney (Gadigal Country)
Wrapped around the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, The Domain encompasses 34 hectares of urban parkland endowed with significant natural and historical values. The Domain plays a central role in Sydney's cultural and social life and the recreational and sporting pursuits of Sydneysiders.
Learn about The Domain Sydney
Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan (Dharawal Country)
Located southwest of Sydney’s CBD, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is the largest botanic garden in Australia, covering 416 hectares between Camden and Campbelltown.
With more than 4,000 species of native plants representing all of Australia's major vegetation types, the Garden is a living collection showcasing the enormous diversity of our country’s unique flora.
The Garden is also home to the award-winning Australian PlantBank, which houses the New South Wales Seedbank, and the collection of over 1 million plant specimens at the National Herbarium of New South Wales.
Learn about the Australian Botanic Garden
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah (Darug Country)
Situated 1,000 metres above sea level in a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah extends over 28 hectares of lush, verdant bushland and manicured gardens in the cool temperate rainforest of the Jamison Valley. The Garden is home to more than 4,000 species of plants, including rare and endangered species and many exotic and unusual plants from around the world.
Learn about the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden