WHAT. Mount Tomah Botanic Garden is the cool-climate garden of the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens.
WHERE. 105 kilometres west of Sydney in the Blue Mountains along Bells Line of Road via Bilpin.
HOW HIGH. The Mt Tomah Botanic Garden is 1000 metres above sea level.
WHEN OPEN. All year round, except Christmas Day, from 10am to 4pm (5pm during Daylight Saving time which starts in late October).
ATTRACTIONS. Rock gardens, explorers walk, Gondwana walk (featuring plant groups which have evolved in isolation since the ancient southern supercontinent of Gondwana began breaking up 120 million years ago), conifer species, rhododendron collection, rainforest walk and forest viewing platform, more.
PLANTS. Many plants not suited to Sydney’s climate are grown successfully at Mt Tomah Botanic Garden. They have been collected from the wild in Australia and overseas, forming part of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ scientific collections for study and research.
VISITOR CENTRE. Just past the main gate. Information, displays, shop, restaurant, theatrette, toilets, baby change rooms.
GUIDED TOURS. Bookings may be made on (02) 4567 2154.
HOW TO GET THERE. If driving from Sydney, and visiting other parts of the Blue Mountains, you can go via the M4 Expressway and Great Western Highway to Katoomba, thence to Mt Victoria, north on Station St and east on Bells Line of Road. Just follow the signs. Alternatively, come up Bells Line of Road from Richmond in northwestern Sydney, traveling west through Bilpin.
WHERE TO DINE. Mt Tomah Botanic Garden has its own restaurant which is noted for its fine food. Open every day except Christmas Day. You can of course bring your own picnic basket. Or you can stop for lunch in one of Katoomba’s many restaurants or at the hotels at Mt Victoria for a pub lunch.
WHERE TO STAY. If you plan to stay overnight in the Blue Mountains, close to Mt Tomah, you can try the hotels at Mt Victoria, the hotels and motels at Blackheath, the Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath, or hotels, motels and other places of accommodation in Katoomba or Leura, or in other towns along the Great Western Highway.
WHEN TO GO. The Mt Tomah Botanic Garden is open all year round except Christmas Day but, if you're driving, it's usually better to go outside the colder winter months to avoid danger on the roads caused by fog, frost and the unexpected snowfall.
