The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan - NSW

Originally a farm, the Garden stands on land that was part of 3000 acres (1214 hectares) that were granted to Magistrate William Howe in 1818. The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan is the Australian native plant garden of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney and covers 416 hectares.

The plantings are designed to take visitors on an exploration of Australia's unique plant life with the Connections Garden being the premier Garden within the site. The four and a half hectare Connection Garden is a roofless museum demonstrating the way people and the natural world interconnect.

The photos show the formal, manicured parts of the garden which are delightful areas for a walk or a picnic. However they are only a small part of the Gardens. In what was hilly farmland that has largely been left in its natural state there are many scenic kilometres of made and unmade paths suitable for biking, walking, jogging and just exploring the magnificant views of the local area. There is also an extensive mountain bike track with sections of varying difficulty suitable for a range of riders from beginner to competition standard.