Bats in Backyards uncovers Sydney’s hidden nightlife

By day, the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney are among Australia's most visited destinations. By night, they become part of a very different world as insect-eating bats emerge across the harbour foreshore, gardens and city skyline, creating a hidden nightlife that most people never see. 

Through a Bats in Backyards partnership, Saving our Species, Sydney Opera House, Botanic Gardens of Sydney and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development uncovered new insights into how bats use urban landscapes.

For 7 consecutive nights in March 2026, AudioMoth acoustic detectors were deployed across the Sydney Opera House precinct, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and The Domain. The survey recorded more than 14,000 bat calls from 16 detectors and identified 6 species, including 3 listed as threatened in New South Wales. 

The partnership combined conservation science, community engagement and cross-sector collaboration to better understand how wildlife uses some of Australia's most recognisable urban spaces. 

Why this matters

One of the most remarkable discoveries was the detection of the vulnerable eastern bent-winged bat from a detector installed atop the Sydney Opera House sails. The finding demonstrates that even one of Australia's most recognised landmarks forms part of a broader urban habitat network used by threatened species. 

Additionally, the survey recorded the threatened large-footed myotis, also known as ‘the fishing bat’. This is a bat that specialises in feeding on aquatic insects, small crustaceans and tiny fish by using its oversized feet to trawl along the surface of the water to catch its prey. The high level of activity recorded from the large-footed myotis highlights the importance of Sydney Harbour as foraging habitat for these unique bats, which until recently was unknown. 

Bat activity in the heart of the city

The highest levels of bat activity from the survey was recorded around the Lotus Pond, while the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool area recorded the greatest species diversity. 

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney provides a mix of mature trees, sheltered vegetation, waterfront habitat and open spaces. In the heart of the city, the Gardens provide valuable foraging and connection opportunities for insect-eating bats and other wildlife.

Local roosts are yet to be discovered, although eastern bent-winged bats are known to roost in old military bunkers along the harbour. For many bat species, old trees with hollows provide key day-time roosts.

Collaboration and connection

The survey generated important biodiversity data from locations rarely surveyed for bats, improved understanding of how species use urban environments and strengthened collaboration between conservation, research and cultural organisations. The data will also be used for future conservation planning and biodiversity monitoring across New South Wales.

Beyond the scientific findings, this partnership connected people with nature. Public displays co-designed by Saving our Species and the Sydney Opera House helped visitors discover the hidden wildlife living alongside them, with an estimated 4,500 people engaging with the exhibition during the survey period.

From the sails of the Sydney Opera House to the ponds and harbour foreshores of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, this partnership has revealed a hidden layer of biodiversity within the heart of Australia's largest city. Bats in Backyards begins in our homes and local neighbourhoods, and as this partnership has shown, sometimes in the most iconic backyards of all.

The Bats in Backyards collaboration is a standout example of the impact championed by the Sydney Opera House’s Sustainable Environmental Action Leaders – affectionately known as the SEALs.

What began with the dedication of a single SEAL champion has grown into a beautiful collaboration involving Saving our Species, SEALs and multiple staff from across the Opera House.

The Opera House is proud to empower staff to take action. Bats in Backyards celebrates the creativity, commitment and sustainable leadership of our people – and demonstrates what’s possible when shared passion turns into collective action.

Alexandra Morgan, Environmental Sustainability Manager, Sydney Opera House

These findings reinforce the importance of urban green spaces in providing habitat for wildlife and demonstrate how carefully managed landscapes can support biodiversity in the heart of a global city. We are proud to contribute to research that improves understanding of the species that depend on these environments.

John Siemon, Director of Horticulture & Living Collections, Botanic Gardens of Sydney

This collaboration highlights what can be achieved when science, conservation and community organisations work together. The data collected through the survey has improved our understanding of bat activity across some of Sydney's most iconic locations, while also demonstrating the important role urban environments can play in supporting threatened species.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Forest Ecology Team.

It has been amazing working with the Sydney Opera House, Botanic Gardens and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – it really shows what can be achieved when organisations from different sectors unite behind a shared purpose. Together, we've uncovered valuable insights into how threatened species use urban environments, gathered important biodiversity data, and helped inspire people to see Sydney's most popular spaces through a new lens.

Ingrid Emery, Executive Director, Conservation Programs, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

From the sails of the Sydney Opera House to the ponds and harbour foreshores of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, this partnership has revealed a hidden layer of biodiversity within the heart of Australia's largest city. Bats in Backyards begins in our homes and local neighbourhoods, and as this partnership has shown, sometimes in the most iconic backyards of all.

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