We arrived at Sydney airport very early in the morning. It was 7a.m. and the airport was already swamped with crowds. Without wasting much time (we have already wasted 7 hours in the plane), the tour driver brought us to Mrs Macquaries Point to marvel at the no-way-to-miss iconic image of both Sydney and Australia, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Opera House and Sydney Bridge were basking under the clear blue sky

Mrs Macquarie’s Point is located in the eastern edge of the Royal Botanic Gardens, provides excellent views across the harbour to the Bridge and the Opera House in the far distance. It offers the perfect backdrop for picture taking.

Look at the crowd and you will believe how popular the place was

A big group of ladies in black seized the entire best spot for photo taking. We had to wait for our turn patiently and to make sure we don’t accidentally capture any stranger into our photos. Anyway, it’s way better than our visit to Rome, Italy where the backdrop in our photos was strangers from all around the world.

Our visit in Rome. If we want to avoid crowd in the backdrop, the best way to do it is to stand right in front of any wall.

Thank goodness I can still get a nice spot. But still accidentally captured a man in. Can you spot the stranger in the photo?

An idea place to lounge during the weekend

Royal Botanic Garden

This lush parkland is home to diverse birdlife, native flying foxes and over 17,000 plant species, and was established in 1816 on the colony’s first farm. Highlights include the popular Rainforest Walk and Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters, a garden display telling the story of Aboriginal Cadigal people who inhabited the city before Europeans arrived.

Mrs Macquaries Chair

There is a chair in Royal Botanic Garden, called Mrs Macquaries Chair. Hence, it was named Mrs Macquaries Point. The chair wasn’t named by randomly picked a name of a stranger in the street. It was named after Elizabeth Henrietta Macquarie (1778 – 1835), wife of Lachlan Macquarie (1762 – 1824) who was Governor of New South wales from 1810 to 1821. This place has been made famous as a “getaway” spot for Elizabeth Macquarie.

When you visit the place, you don’t actually see a chair. All you see is a rock formation that resembles a chair. Since Mrs Macquarie had to sit somewhere in the park and that was the only look alike chair that was comfortable to sit on. It then became Mrs Macquarie’s favourite chair and eventually she owned the copyright of the chair. Hence, Mrs Macquaries Chair.

It is said that if you sat in Mrs Macquaries Chair and made a wish there was a great chance your wish would be granted.

Damn! I was too busy taking photos and missed out this golden chance!

An ideal place to cultivate your kid to love nature

Local people love running their dogs and themselves in the park. It’s also a famous place for family outing. The weather is just perfect for outdoor activities like this. If it was here in Malaysia, I would have already melted.

Can someone tell me what bird is it?

Thanks Ian for giving me the info of the bird. It’s called Ibis!!

The Australian White Ibis is identified by its almost entirely white body plumage and black head and neck. The head is featherless and its black bill is long and down-curved. During the breeding season the small patch of skin on the under-surface of the wing changes from dull pink to dark scarlet. Adult birds have a tuft of cream plumes on the base of the neck. Females differ from males by being slightly smaller, with shorter bills. Young birds are similar to adults, but have the neck covered with black feathers. In flight, flocks of Australian White Ibis form distinctive V-shaped flight patterns. Another common name for this bird is Sacred Ibis, but this more appropriately refers to a closely related African species.

Trees, sea, blue sky, lush field, great scene, cool air, unknown bird… what more do you want?

Gigantic ships at the harbour

Like the palm oil tree

We took a short stroll around the park before boarded the bus. If you have a chance to visit the place on your own pace, you can probably spend the whole afternoon here visiting the whole park and observing the wildlife.

Hours & Admissions

The Domain is open 24 hours a day every day of the year, and entry is free except for special or ticketed events.

The Royal Botanic Gardens is open every day of the year, except for any areas assigned for special or ticketed events. Entry is free, except there is an entry fee for the Tropical Centre (open daily 10 am to 4 pm - but please note that due to maintenance and other reasons, the Tropical Centre may occasionally be closed, so if you are planning a visit, please phone the Tropical Centre on 9231 8104).

Opening and closing hours

• November-February: 7 am-8 pm
• March & October: 7 am-6.30 pm
• April & September: 7 am-6 pm
• May & August: 7 am-5.30 pm
• June & July: 7 am-5 pm

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Want to know more about the garden? Here has all information that you’re looking for: Botanic Garden Trust