Sight guide · Hobart · Australia
Visiting Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1818, the gardens on the Queens Domain slope down to the Derwent and include a Japanese garden, convict-built walls, a vegetable patch and the Subantarctic Plant House, which recreates the climate of Macquarie Island with misting and cool air.
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Quick answer
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a garden in Queens Domain, Hobart. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Garden
- Area
- Queens Domain
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, outdoors, nature and kids
- Best months
- January–March
About Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1818, the gardens on the Queens Domain slope down to the Derwent and include a Japanese garden, convict-built walls, a vegetable patch and the Subantarctic Plant House, which recreates the climate of Macquarie Island with misting and cool air.
Tip: Visit the Subantarctic Plant House on a warm day for a cool, misty contrast, then picnic on the lawns above the river.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Queens Domain.
Best time to visit Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- February: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, busy crowds.
- January: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- March: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Hobart has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Hobart itinerary visits Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on day 3, together with Battery Point and Arthur Circus, Cascade Brewery and Salamanca Place.
- No. 8 of the 16 sights in our Hobart things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Hobart.
- A family favourite in Hobart with kids.
If you like Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
- Salamanca Market — Salamanca, 2 hours
- kunanyi/Mount Wellington — Wellington Park, 2–3 hours
- Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery — Waterfront and CBD, 2 hours
- Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary — Brighton, 2 hours
Staying near Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Where to stay in Hobart compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens?
Plan 1.5–2 hours.
+Is Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens?
January–March for the most comfortable weather. Visit the Subantarctic Plant House on a warm day for a cool, misty contrast, then picnic on the lawns above the river.
+Do I need to book Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Hobart. Hobart is compact and relaxed for families, with free museums and gardens, markets with food stalls and wildlife sanctuaries close by.