The Royal Botanic Gardens are an excellent place to take a break from the noise of the city for lunch and is popular for lunchtime walks or jogs. They are close to some of the major attractions such as the Opera House, and hotels around Hyde Park. The Gardens contain many specimens of Australian and exotic plant species including the Wollomi Pine, a once thought extinct species re-discovered 10 or so years ago. The gardens provide an opportunity for fantastic harbour views from the walkway, which skirts the lower part of the gardens or from the higher parts of the hill.
