The Domain

The Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens are both located in Sydney’s central business district between Woolloomooloo and St. Mary’s Cathedral, very close to the Art Gallery of NSW.

The Domain

The Domain is an open grassy area, which is generally used during the summer for big festivals and open-air events. In summer, the Sydney Festival hosts major events in the Domain such as Jazz in the Domain and Symphony in the Domain.

Over the summer Opera in the Domain, Homebake (a music festival), and Tropfest (a short film festival) are all held in the Domain. As well,  the Domain plays host to an anual Christmas carols concert - Carols in the Domain. 

On Friday 18th of July during World Youth Day, the Stations of the Cross will journey from Saint Mary’s Cathedral to Barangaroo. The 2nd station, the Agony in the Garden, will be held in the Domain.

The Royal Botanic Gardens

In 1816 the Royal Botanic Gardens was founded by Governor Macquarie. In 1862 a zoo was built in the Botanic Gardens and lasted until 1883 at which point it was moved to Moore Park.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are free to access and open every day of the year. 

Both the Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens are managed the Royal Botanic Gardens Trust which is a division of the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Image courtesy of jezarnold (Creative Commons License), Flickr.