Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve, Kareela

Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve is one of only a few specialised gardens in Sydney devoted entirely to Australian native plants. 

This lovely, relaxing area, which was upgraded in 2017, includes five picnic tables, two electric BBQ hotplates, directional signage and seating amongst the gardens.  It is crossed by four kilometres of sealed paths.  Other features include toilets (including disabled facilities), an undercover information stand and car park.

The Reserve covers 2.2 hectares with themed gardens including Aboriginal food and medicinal plants, an Acacia garden, scented garden, silver foliage garden, rainforest, cycads, ferns, mixed shade, and mixed Proteaceae beds. The vast array of native plants provides a home for many birds and other native fauna.

Many plants are labelled and descriptive brochures are available.

Accessibility

There is an accessible path from the main entry (Manooka Place) to the largest BBQ and picnic facilities area in the upper portion of the Reserve. There is another accessible path from the main entry to the Sun Tolerant Flowering Garden which passes the Public Toilets that include facilities for the mobility impaired, also in the upper portion of the Reserve. Most of the lower portion of the Reserve is not accessible due to the terrain. Accessible paths are shown in the attached brochure.

Download Brochure

The aims are of the Reserve are to:

• Display the form and flowering/fruiting characteristics of a wide variety of native plants from many parts of Australia.
• Demonstrate how these specimens grow in Sydney's climatic conditions

The Reserve was established in 1969 as a tribute to Sir Joseph Banks, who was the official botanist aboard Lieutenant James Cook's Endeavour which came to Botany Bay in 1770. His name is perpetuated in Australian plants such as the Banksia and Grevillea banksii.

The Australian Plants Society, Sutherland Group has had a long association with the Reserve since its establishment.  The Sutherland Group maintains one area, through regular working bees, to show how native plants can be used in gardens, and volunteers are always welcome.