The 12 Best Parks in Sydney: Your Ultimate Guide

Sydney is not limited to its student accommodations and great universities. As international or even domestic students, life can start getting gloomy when you don’t touch some grass every once in a while. Taking a walk in some of the best parks in Sydney can be a great dopamine booster for many, inhaling the freshness of the lovely plants and trees around you. With this blog, we aim to introduce to you the vast array of the best parks in Sydney, whether you’re a university student here or a seasoned veteran!

12 Best Parks in Sydney

Exploring Australia's, specifically Sydney's, gardens can also help you learn more about the history, culture, and traditions of the residents of the Land Down Under. Learn all about the First Peoples and Traditional Guardians as you bask in the breathtaking views and the sheer amount of Sydney gardens the city has in store for you.

1. Hyde Park

Location: Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: people on budget, couples, families

Of course, topping our list of the best parks in Sydney is the legendary Hyde Park. As the oldest urban green space in the city,  this beautiful park in Sydney is known for its crisscrossing perpendicular paths surrounded by rare species of flora, such as the Moreton Bay Fig and Phoenix Rupicola. In the past, Hyde Park was heavily used for sporting activities such as horse riding, cricket, and boxing. In present days, it is one of the best parks in Sydney.

2. Centennial Park

Location: Suburb located 4 km from Sydney CBD
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: Residential area, Families

Arguably the largest park on this list, Centennial Park is essentially a residential suburb located a few minutes away from Sydney's central business district. Talking about suburbs, check out the most affordable suburbs in Sydney if you're looking for cheap but friendly neighbourhoods to live in. One of the nice parks in Sydney, Centennial Park was initially started out as a move to preserve the central swamps and ponds that formed the city's early water supply. If you're in the area, definitely check out Centennial Park Reservoir, Woollahra Reservoir, and Patrick White House.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

Location: Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney, 2000
Visiting Hours: 7 AM to 8 PM Mon-Sun
Best for: Photography enthusiasts, picnics, nature enthusiasts

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney is a heritage-listed 30-hectare site located on the eastern end of Sydney CBD. This is one of the best parks in Sydney for a picnic. It might take you two or three visits to fully explore the full extent of the fauna that this park boasts. Started in 1816, this is one of the cool parks in Sydney, which is also the oldest scientific institution in the city.

4. Observatory Hill Park

Location: 1001 Upper Fort St, Millers Point, NSW 2000
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: Scenic views, outdoor yoga, romantic picnics

Located in Sydney CBS near Harbour Bridge, Observatory Hill Park is one of the best parks in Sydney for those looking to witness breathtaking views. One can organise a nice romantic date or engage in outdoor yoga while witnessing the sunset overlooking the Harbour Bridge, making for a scenic end to the day.

5. Chinese Garden of Friendship

Location: Pier Street, Cnr Harbour St, Darling Harbour NSW 2000
Visiting Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM all days except Friday
Best for: Cultural immersion, serenity, photography

The Chinese Garden of Friendship symbolises a gift from the city of Guangzhou, China, to Sydney and is inspired by the fundamentals of Feng Shui. The philosophy of Feng Shui, as beautifully expressed in the construction of this Garden, aims to balance the elements of water, earth, plants, stone, and architecture. Bask under the shade of the willow trees and click Instagrammable pictures of Chinese-inspired patios.

6. Bicentennial Park

Location: Australia Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
Visiting Hours: 7 AM - 8 PM Mon-Sun
Best for: Cycling, jogging, families

The Bicentennial Park was constructed in 1988 as a celebration of Australia's bicentenary in the same year. This is one of the best parks in Sydney if you're a fitness enthusiast since it is essentially a linear paved path surrounded by hills, lakeside meadows, and green vistas. The linear path is prime for you to cycle or jog on, making this beautiful park in Sydney a great getaway for the entire family.

7. Barangaroo Reserve

Location: Hickson Rd, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: Outdoor events, walking trails

This is one of the best parks in Sydney for a picnic since you can bring your own food to the area and alcohol is allowed to be consumed in reservein the reserve too! Barangaroo Reserve is marked for its scenic location along the Pacific Ocean. Take a brisk and refreshing walk along the Wulugul Walk trail and cool off by taking a dip in Marinawi Cove.

8. Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

Location: Lavender St, Lavender Bay NSW 2060
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: Offbeat, art enthusiasts, tranquility

This beautiful park in Sydney was created by the artist Wendy Whiteley in remembrance of her late husband, Brett Whiteley. Wendy actually designed the garden as a big art piece rather than having a horticulture focus, aiming to make it aesthetically pleasing. Art lovers can discover various artefacts when making their way through Wendy's secret Sydney gardens! Wendy's Garden is a tourist attraction in its own right, if you're still curious, know all about the tourist attractions in Sydney to plan your next trip.

9. Victoria Park

Location: Parramatta Rd, Broadway NSW 2008
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: Dog walking, sports, picnics

Students of Sydney University can relish their weekends at one of the best parks in Sydney, Victoria Park, which borders the educational institute. You can bring your furry friends along for a fun and active day out and enjoy the wide and open spaces. Lake Northam and Victoria Park Pool are some must-visits if you ever find yourself in the vicinity. The Gardener's Lodge, which was widely used as a throwaway building in the 1800s, has now been restored as a cafe adjacent to Victoria Park.

10. Tumbalong Park

Location: 11 Harbour St, Sydney NSW 2000
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: Events, playground activities, families

The name of the park comes from “Tumbalong”, which means “a place where seafood is found” in the Dharug language of the Eora people. Events such as New Year’s Eve and Australia Day are often celebrated at one of the best parks in Sydney, Tumbalong Park. This is one of the best parks if you bring your family here because it has one of the largest playgrounds in all of the city, making it prime for your perusal.

11. Nielsen Park

Location: 6 Steele Point Rd, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: Beach picnics, snorkelling, and swimming

Nielsen Park is a heritage-listed site and nature reserve known for its stunning views of the Pacific ocean. Another name of this beautiful park in Sydney is Shark Beach due to the frequent amount of shark sightings in the area. Despite this, Nielsen Park remains as one of the nice parks in Sydney. Prepare quick bites at home, gather all your picnic essentials, and keep a hold on you sunscreen to experience one of the best parks in Sydney.

12. The Domain

Location: St Mary's Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Best for: walking/jogging, outdoor concerts, recreational activities

The Domain is essentially a park constructed for the purpose of hosting concerts and outdoor events. If you are someone who enjoys watching your favourite artist play in an outdoor and picturesque setting, this is one of the best parks in Sydney for you. This beautiful park in Sydney is the largest space of open land in all of Sydney CBD and is perfect for an impromptu picnic or a morning jog to relieve all your stress.

That concludes our list of the best parks in Sydney. Be it Tumbalong Park, a space filled to the brim with historic artefacts about the Eora people or be it Wendy Whiteley’s Garden, a love-inspired aesthetically pleasing garden, the parks in Sydney are a marvel in of themselves.These parks in Sydney are a boon if you’re an outdoor enthusiast and a natural oasis if you’re feeling gloomy. Know all about the public transport in Sydney and catch the next ride to one of these green havens.

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