280 x 225 mm. A view along one of the paths in the garden, with a suited man sitting on the lawn in the foreground. The origins of the Botanic Gardens go back to 1787 when Governor Phillip on his way to New South Wales collected seeds at Rio de Janeiro, and on landing in 1788 set up a farm and garden at Farm Cove. The farm proved a failure but the garden continued and after 1796 was retained as Government property. In 1869-70 the harbour frontage was reclaimed and the garden now occupies an area of 30 hecatres.