Location
149 Garnet Road, Kareela. Access is off Manooka Place, Kareela. No access from Bates Drive.
Opening hours
9:00am-5:00pm 7 days a week.
9:00am-7:00pm 7 days a week during daylight savings.
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.
About the reserve
Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve is one of only a few gardens in Sydney devoted entirely to Australian native plants.
This relaxing reserve is perfect for exploring or enjoying a picnic or barbecue. The gardens are home to many birds and other native fauna. There are four kilometres of sealed paths to explore.
Dogs are not permitted in the reserve.
The collection
The reserve covers 2.2 hectares of both remnant bushland areas and themed gardens. The themed gardens include Aboriginal food and medicinal plants, 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.
Volunteers are welcome at our maintenance workdays twice a month. These are run by Bushcare and the Australian Plants Society’s Sutherland Group.
History of the reserve
The reserve was established in 1969 as a tribute to Sir Joseph Banks, official botanist aboard Lieutenant James Cook’s HMS Endeavour. Sir Joseph Banks collected flora specimens from nearby Botany Bay in 1770. Australian plants such as the Banksia and Grevillea banksii are named after him.
There is an accessible path from the main entry at Manooka Place to the largest barbecue and picnic facilities area in the upper part of the reserve.
Another accessible path leads from the main entry to the Sun Tolerant Flowering Garden. This passes public toilets which include accessible toilets.
Most of the lower part of the reserve is not accessible due to the terrain. Our downloadable brochure - PDF - 2111 KB includes more information about the reserve, including a map of paths.
The reserve includes five picnic tables, two electric barbecue hotplates, directional signage and seating within the gardens. Portable barbecues are not permitted.
The nearest bus stop is at Kareela Shopping Centre, a 1km walk from the reserve.
Useful links
- Australian Plants Society NSW Sutherland Group
- Bushcare - restore and maintain urban bushland spaces.
- Parks and reserves - explore over 600 parks and reserves.
- How we restrict alcohol in public spaces
- Hold an outdoor picnic or ceremony
- National Public Toilet Map - shows the location of more than 19,000 public and private public facilities across Australia, including toilets, adult change and baby care.
- Visit the Shire - a destination with pristine surf beaches, sparkling waterways and four spectacular national parks.