Sydney Parks

Open Spaces for Picnics,
BBQ's and Relaxing

There are some great Sydney parks located around the inner city.

Major city parks include Hyde Park, The Domain, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Prince Alfred Park and Centennial Park.

They all offer something a little different; whether it’s music and cultural events, sport or fitness, picnics or barbecues, swimming, or just space for general lazing about.

The larger Sydney parks are a good place to see some of the city’s wildlife too. Possums, birds and fruit bats have taken up residence in many of these areas.

The Avenue of Fig Trees in Hyde Park, photo courtesy of Andy Gott

Smaller parks are located all around the inner city. These are local favourites and are often near the Harbour, some even have beaches! They provide excellent space for sport and social gatherings.

Parks in the CBD and Surrounds

Hyde Park

Governor Macquarie established Hyde Park in 1810. He dedicated the space to recreation, amusement, and as a field troop exercise area.

Sports were a feature of the park in its early days. Cricket, rugby and horse racing participants had to battle for space with both the military and the public.

The park is located in the CBD. Its rectangular shape is bordered by Elizabeth Street and College Street to the east and west, and Liverpool Street and St James Road/Prince Albert Road to the south and north. The park is divided in two by Park Street.

It is an excellent escape from the CBD, to picnic, or to laze away an afternoon. It is also a romantic spot to walk through in the evenings, particularly along the Avenue of Fig Trees lit by fairy lights. If you are lucky you will see a cheeky possum or two too.

Two City Circle City Rail stations are located in Hyde Park; Museum Station in the south west corner and St James Station in the north west corner. Museum station is lovingly and originally restored, with advertisements of days gone by. It is my favourite train station in Sydney.

Features of Hyde Park:

• Anzac War Memorial and Pool of Remembrance
• Archibald Fountain
• Captain Cook Statue
• The Australian Museum
• St Mary's Cathedral
• Sandringham Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens was established in 1816 by Governor Macquarie. It is Australia's oldest scientific institution and a very beautiful space, perched on the banks of Farm Cove.

The Gardens are located to the north of The Domain and are bordered by Macquarie Street to the west, the Cahill Express Way to the south and Mrs Macquaries Road to the east.

The gardens are very well maintained. Paths, ponds and open grassed areas intermingle with feature gardens. It really is a great place to relax and wander about.

The gardens are also home to a 20,000 strong colony of fruit bats. The bats are now considered a pest and the authorities are considering the best options on how to move the bats away from the gardens.

Some features of the gardens:

• The Pyramid Glasshouse
• Palm Grove
• Government House
• Sydney Conservatorium of Music

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The Domain

The Domain is the large open park area that joins Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. It was originally founded by Governor Philip as his private domain (this originally included the Hyde Park and Royal Botanic Gardens land areas).

The Domain’s original area was reduced in time by successive governors to make way for Hyde Park and the Botanic Gardens, and was in time opened to the public. Cricket matches that were once played in Hyde Park were moved to the Domain in the 1850's.

The area is boarded by the Cahill Express Way to the north, Sir John Young Crescent to the east, Hospital Road to the west and St Mary's Road to the south. A long thin section of The Domain extends around the eastern side of The Royal Botanic Gardens and is bordered by Mrs Macquaries Road and Woolloomooloo Bay.

The park is a popular place for sports and picnics. Many popular festivals, both free and ticketed, are held in The Domain. Every summer the St George Open Air Cinema operates from January to February in the evenings near the Farm Cove end of the park.

Features of The Domain:

• Mrs Macquaries Chair
• Andrew Boy Charlton Pool
• Pavilion on the Park
• Art Gallery of NSW
• Festivals

Prince Alfred Park

Prince Alfred Park is located in Surry Hills, and has been upgraded, which has improved many excellent existing features.

The park is located directly south of Central Station, being bordered by railway track to the north. The space is enclosed by Chalmers Street to the south and Cleveland Street to the west.

The features of the park include tennis courts, basketball courts, children’s playground and a swimming pool.

It’s a lovely spot to get active, or to chill and have a picnic in the south of the city.

Centennial Park Precinct

Centennial Park is a large open public space that is located in the east of Sydney near the suburbs of Randwick and Woollahra. Originally swampy farmland, the area was dedicated to Sir Henry Parkes in January 1888 to celebrate 100 years of British settlement.

The park is boarded by Oxford Street to the north, Lang Drive to the west, Anzac Parade to the south and Darley Road and York Road to the east.

The area is approximately 2.2 kilometres square and includes grassland, playing fields, gardens, wetlands and ponds. The Grand Drive is a circular shared car and bike track that runs around much of the perimeter. Parkes Drive, Dickens Drive and Loch Avenue run through the middle of the Grand Drive allowing access to the middle, and also to the northern area of the Park.

A cafe and popular kids playground is located in the north east region of the Grand Drive.

It is a really popular spot for picnics and barbecues, sports and fitness activities and general relaxing and lazing about. The Ford Moonlight Cinema operates from November through to February within the park grounds.

Areas of interest surrounding Centennial Park:

• Randwick Racecourse

• Moore Park
• Moore Park Golf Course

Dawes Point Park & Bradfield Park

Dawes Point Park is located at Dawes Point, and is directly under the southern approach of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Although it isn't the greatest spot for a picnic it is one of the best photo taking locations in Sydney. The Sydney Opera House sits directly across Sydney Cove, and Luna Park lies across the Harbour to the west of the bridge.

Bradfield Park is located on Milsons Point, under and around the northern Harbour Bridge approach. Large grassed areas that get a lot of sun make it the perfect place to relax.

With the Harbour Bridge over head these Sydney parks are a great place to appreciate the metal behemoth that was built in the 1930's.

Belmore Park

Belmore Park is located directly north of Central Station.

Eddy Avenue runs between it and Central Station. The Metro Light Rail line and Railway Square are situated to the east and west side of the park. Hay Street lies to the north.

Although there isn't much to this park, it is a lovely place to relax and eat lunch if you happen to be waiting to get a train or are just in the area.

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Other Favourite Sydney Parks

Here are other local favourite Sydney parks located in the inner city suburbs.

Balmoral Park

The Esplanade/Coronation Ave, Mosman.

Balmoral Park is located on the Lower North Shore of the Harbour. It is a popular place for a swim being situated on Balmoral Beach, and for picnicking.

Rushcutters Bay Park

New South Head Road, Rushcutters Bay 2027

The Gap Park/Sydney Harbour National Park

Old South Head Road, Gap Road and Cliff Street, Watsons Bay.

This parkland/national park area is on the Sydney Harbours South Head. Features include Gap Bluff Centre, Doyles Restaurant, Watsons Bay and Military Reserve HMAS Watson.

Victoria Park

Parramatta Road and City Road, Camperdown.

A lovely park situated on the edge of Sydney University. Victoria Park Pool offers a chance for a city swim.

Jubilee Park

Glebe Point Road or Chapman Road, Jubilee Park.

A picturesque park located on the shores of Rozelle Bay. It is accessible by the Metro Light Rail. Features include a Cricket ground, Jubilee Park Lightrail Station and Rozelle Bay.