brief history ...

The original owners of the land occupied by the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, were the Darug Aboriginal people. 'Tomah' is an Aboriginal word meaning tree fern.

The English colonists called the place Fern Tree Hill, but latter on the name was changed to Mount Tomah.

After the discovery in 1823, by Archibald Bell of a route across Blue Mountains, afterwards known as Bells Line of Road, more people started to settle along this route.

From 1934 the property now occupied by the Garden was owned by the French-born horticulturist Alfred Brunet and his wife Effie. They were supplying flowers to Sydney florists. In 1972 the Brunet family donates their land at Mount Tomah for a botanic garden, which in the end will become an annex of the Sydney Royal Botanic Garden. With public funds the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden opens to the public on 1 November 1987.

about...

Don't be deceived by the fact that Mount Tomah Botanic Garden is an annex of the Sydney Royal Botanic Garden, located in the heart of Sydney. I am not a botanist, so I can not comment from science point of view, but in terms of landscaping and all the facilities, Mount Tomah Botanic Garden is much better. Off course, if you are in a rush to visit Sydney, going to visit Mount Tomah Botanic Garden is not easy. The gardens are located 105Km from Sydney, and you also need a car to go there.

Some of the features of the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden:

• North American Woodland
• Heath and Heather garden
• Eurasian Woodland
• Brunet Meadow
• Residence Garden
• Rock Garden
• Formal Garden
• Wollemi Pines
• Gondwana Forest Walk
• Plant Explorers Walk
• Forest Walk

Mount Tomah Botanic Garden has a restaurant with spectaculars views, or if you are on budget, you can bring and have a picnic in the garden. There are picnic tables and chairs, free barbecues available.

While the entrance is not free the fee is symbolic and you would not regret the money spent.

tourist information ...

How to get there
With your private car or a rented one. Drive from Sydney to Richmond and from there towards Lithgow on the Bells Line of Road. There are indicators on the road pointing towards the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden. See map.

Contact details:
Bells Line of Road via Bilpin NSW 2758
Ph: 02-4567 2154
Web site: Botanic Gardens Trust

Hours of Operation:
10 AM - 4 PM From end of Daylight Saving (March - October)
10 AM - 5 PM From start of Daylight Saving (October - March)
Please check the official web site of the garden: Botanic Gardens Trust.