Gardens in Sydney
THE 5 BEST Sydney Gardens
Gardens in Sydney
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Nature & Parks
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Parks • Gardens
Central Business District
Gardens
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What travellers are saying
- Michael SSydney, Australia460 contributionsThe Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is my favourite botanic garden in the world. While many gardens are condensed, there are vast expanses of space that encourage people to picnic, exercise, eat and drink and celebrate as well as the obvious: to enjoy the plant life.
If you enter the Gardens out by Mrs Macquarie's Chair, you will surely pass Handa Opera and Westpac OpenAir, which is a beautiful entry point and also a great jogging route. Further down are 2 lawns that form a bit of a crescent around one on Sydney Harbour's coves. This is the perfect place to tan, picnic, read a book, etc. As you walk further down, the paths become numerous with a few different choices of what to see. There's a pond with bamboo and Asian gardens. One of the major things I'd like to make note of is The Calyx, which has one of the largest living walls in the southern hemisphere. They use it for exhibitions, events, a cafe and eatery, high tea, etc. It never fails to disappoint. You'll find tropical gardens, entire areas devoted to succulents. Further back into the gardens, you will stumble upon the herb garden and a pavilion; this is so well maintained. Beyond that, you'll see the amphitheatre and another pavilion. Oh, and did I mention the gardens have BATS! Yes, bats! They are a very interesting feature to the gardens. I know I never expected to see bats here. I'd say where they are, but please find them yourself - without the help of the internet. You have a wonderful botanical garden. Enjoy it!
And, if you want to make a full day of it, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, is right across the road from the looped road you will have entered. I think it's the best museum in Sydney, and it amazes me the permanent collection the AGNSW has along with its continuous exhibitions.
Enjoy Sydney!Written 8 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Timothy K.Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia406 contributionsVisiting the Chinese Garden of Friendship was an unforgettable experience! From the moment you step through the entrance, you're transported to a serene oasis that feels worlds away from the bustling city outside. The meticulously designed gardens are a testament to the beauty and tranquility of Chinese landscaping traditions.
Every corner offers a new visual delight—whether it’s the stunning koi-filled ponds, the intricately carved pavilions, or the lush, well-maintained flora. The peaceful ambiance is perfect for a relaxing stroll or a reflective pause by the water.
For anyone seeking a moment of calm and a touch of cultural enrichment, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is a must-visit. It’s a gem that beautifully showcases the harmony and elegance of Chinese garden design. Highly recommended!Written 28 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Robert rMelbourne, Australia1,495 contributionsLocated in the inner Sydney suburb of Paddington accessible from Oxford street or Oatley street. A decommissioned reservoir early source of water supply for Sydney. Repurposed for park and garden.
Popular location for wedding photos. Accessible by public transportation. Hidden gem for visitors.Written 13 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JamjmmUckfield, UK84 contributionsAlways enjoy visiting Nurragingy Reserve. Really love the Chinese Garden - makes a fantastic backdrop for wedding photos.
Always disappointed that the cafe is shut when we have been there, even on days when it is advertised as being open.
This year, the drought meant that the water in the lake was very low, which was a shame, especially for the birds.Written 7 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MosesPH1,581 contributionsWhen we heard about Lisgar gardens in Hornsby it was much to our surprise as we had never heard of it even though having been residents n the Hornsby Shore for more than 6 years. A HIDDEN GEM in Hornsby for sure! Not too big but enough to enjoy and appreciate and spend few hours if you pack a picnic. Easy to get to and there is some seating and a lovely undercover wide open area. Just beware of leeches. Limited opening hours.Written 18 February 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mairwen1United Kingdom11,162 contributionsThis is one of the very best play areas for small kids. Located within Sydney’s Centennial Park, the whole thing is quite magical and it’s free.
There are all sorts of activities here for the adventurous child who wants to explore and climb and dart through tunnels. Equally, for the less adventurous, it is a beautiful space to walk through, with interesting little paths, quiet corners, hidden surprises and secret areas.
The highlight is the central water play area. Shallow pools with a number of fountains provide endless water play. Timed water jets prompt shrieks of delight as small children are continually caught unaware. It’s a very safe area. The jets are all very gentle and the water is so shallow that an adult can walk across the pool in running shoes without getting wet.
The whole area is securely fenced and there are plenty of spaces where you can sit.
There were only a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, it is reasonably easy to lose a small child if you have ‘a bolter’. The greenery along the paths is so dense that you can’t always see very far ahead and the maze of paths take so many little twists and turns, intersecting at different points that a child can dart off very quickly. The other thing is that the park benches in the more heavily shaded area, had quite a lot of mosquitoes.
Apart from this, the park was easily the best one I’ve seen in ages. Afterwards, take the kids to Duck Pond and watch the swans, ducks and fish. This is also a lovely spot to have a picnic beside the water.Written 4 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - AlbywonSydney, Australia13,666 contributionsA nice and well maintained formal garden contained within Hyde Park. very colourful at the moment and certainly worth stopping for a few minutes.
It might just be me but the positioning within the park means you need to seek it out as it's not on the normal walking routes.Written 8 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mairwen1United Kingdom11,162 contributionsJessie Street Gardens is a small, green park near Circular Quay, although it is tucked away behind the Citygate centre.
It’s only a very small park but it has a nice grassy area, some mature trees, shaded seating areas and easy access to the food outlets in Citygate. It’s a city park and a peaceful space for city workers to sit and have a break but it’s not a kids’ park and there’s no playground or toilet block.
The park is named after the Australian activist and feminist, Lady Jessie Street (1889 - 1970).
Born with a silver spoon and independent wealth, Street turned her back on traditional lady-like pursuits of the time and instead chose a life of passionate activism.
Street resisted all injustice but was most passionate about women’s rights, the peace movement and the elimination of discrimination against Aboriginal people.
By all accounts she was a spirited fighter.
She campaigned for the payment of equal wages for women, she resisted the then-normal practice of sacking female workers when they married, and argued that women should be not be banned from certain types of work.
She founded the United Associations of Women, co-chaired the first union equal pay committee, and was the first Australian women delegate to the UN.
Only one small bronze plaque commemorates her and its partially obscured by the garden bed in front of it.
Interestingly, the park has become a place to celebrate women and there are two statues, one honouring pioneer women and the other commemoration Australian servicewomen. Without these artworks, it would be just a pleasant but nondescript garden park.Written 22 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - AndyJohn74Sydney, Australia5,027 contributionsBlackburn Gardens is located just behind the Murray Rose Pool, the Redleaf Pool Cafe and Seven Shilling Beach. It is open to the public seven days a week with both a ramp and elevator to get down to the gardens. The pathway will lead the visitor to the beach and pool below.Written 9 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
