What to do and see in Greater Sydney, New South Wales: The Best Gardens

April 22, 2022 Myesha Cogley

Discover the best top things to do in Greater Sydney, Australia including Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden, The Australian Botanic Garden, E G Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens, Auburn Botanic Gardens, Clifton Gardens, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, Sam Fiszman Park, Holroyd Gardens, Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden, Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve.
Restaurants in Greater Sydney

1. Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden

Near Luna Park via Clark Park, Lavender St, North Sydney, New South Wales 2060 N.S.W. Australia +61 2 9936 8100 [email protected] http://www.wendyssecretgarden.org.au
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 433 reviews

Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden

Everyone needs a secret garden in their life and you’re invited to visit Wendy's, a public garden and much loved oasis in the heart of Sydney. Located a short walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or stroll from Milsons Point and North Sydney train stations, the Secret Garden is a haven where you can explore meandering pathways discovering sculptures; enjoy a picnic basket or read a book at one of the tables beneath the garden’s canopy; or simply enjoy the nature and serenity of your beautiful surrounds. You may even stumble across a fairy. Created over 20 years by artist Wendy Whiteley, wife and muse of Australian artist Brett Whiteley, the Secret Garden is nestled behind Luna Park in one of Sydney's most spectacular suburbs, Lavender Bay. While its free and open seven days a week, there are steep inclines and a range of steps. Visitors with limited mobility may only be able to access the uppermost sections of the garden but we're sure you'll enjoy your visit.

Reviewed By tmellin - Kihei, United States

A quick one-stop ferry ride from Circular Quay to Milton’s Point with great views of the harbor and Opera House, then a walk thru Luna Park and along Lavender Bay. A somewhat wild garden, a beautiful place to wander a bit and then to sit and relax, enjoying the peacefulness of the garden.

2. The Australian Botanic Garden

Narellan Road, Mount Annan, Camden, New South Wales 2567 Australia +61 2 4634 7935 http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/annan
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 192 reviews

The Australian Botanic Garden

The sensation of the late 18th century in the field of botany was the discovery of a new continent filled with exotic plants unknown to the rest of the world. The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan displays around 2000 of these, set in 416 hectares of hills and lakes. The Garden features a number of ecosystems unique to Australia including the endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland, native wildlife, children' playground, restaurant, picnic shelters, free gas barbecues, and a gift shop and nursery. The Australian Botanic Garden is the largest botanic garden in Australia and the most popular visitor attraction in the Camden district.

Reviewed By happytript - Sydney, Australia

Great natural setting. Good variety of Australian native plants with good explanations of plant and its background. Easy to get around. Many sealed paths as well as rustic natural paths that allow you to walk through the various gardens and plantings. There is also a plant bank which I didn’t get to see. The grounds are landscaped with water features within the various gardens. The open grounds are lovely for picnics and as well there is a separate children’s play area. The gift shop is great and sold a limited selection of young native plants at excellent prices as well as beauty products/lotions made from Australian bush ingredients. The cafe was excellent selling light dishes for morning and afternoon tea as well as full breakfasts and meals. The food was tasty and well presented with generous proportions. I went during the week so it wasn’t crowded but I think the weekend would be much fuller. The Gardens also conduct walks and other activities some are free. The gift shop had a number of brochures detailing both ongoing activities and particular ones for the school holidays. I would definitely visit again.

3. E G Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens

New South Wales 2232 Australia +61 2 9710 0333 http://www.anbg.gov.au/chabg/bg-dir/waterhouse-nsw.html
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

E G Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens

Reviewed By janetgY8074SB - Tavira, Portugal

This provided beauty and peace for trip with a dear friend (aged 96) who managed short walks and we were all exhilarated by the gardens. The tea house complemented the gardens and provided caring service and delicious food choices.

4. Auburn Botanic Gardens

Chiswick and Chisholm Roads, Auburn, New South Wales Australia 8745 9746 http://www.auburn.nsw.gov.au/Explore/AuburnBotanicGardens/Pages/AuburnBotanicGardens.aspx?ControlMode=Edit&DisplayMode=Design#easy
Excellent
57%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 129 reviews

Auburn Botanic Gardens

Reviewed By kartman-0610 - Sydney, Australia

The Auburn Botanic Gardens are absolutely breathtaking! Offering picturesque gardens without the need to travel to the city. It covers a large area consisting of a Japanese Garden, Scented Garden, a path in tribute to our soldiers who served in WWII, Fauna Reserve and a small rainforest. The Botanic Gardens are perfect for all occasions. Whether you’re riding solo, as a couple or the whole family, the gardens are mesmerising, providing a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere to visitors. Highly recommend a visit!

5. Clifton Gardens

Morella Road, Mosman, New South Wales Australia 9978 4000 http://www.mosman.nsw.gov.au/mosman/recreation/parks
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 50 reviews

Clifton Gardens

Reviewed By smithfastjet - Southampton, United Kingdom

Plenty of parking if you get there early, this is very popular with the locals because there is a good beach, a pier for fishing and wide expanses of grass for picnics and games. The harbour coast walk also passes through and there is a good kiosk and the excellent Ripples at Chowder Bay restaurant a short walk away. Moreover, on Boxing Day the start line for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is just offshore.

6. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden

420 Mona Vale Rd, St. Ives, Ku-ring-gai, New South Wales 2075 Australia +61 2 9424 0353 http://www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Services_facilities/Facilities_and_venues/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden_and_St_Ives_Showground/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden
Excellent
60%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden

Reviewed By teresacQ2137RK - Metro Manila, Philippines

Plenty of trails with varying grades that ramble over rocky trails and leafy paths. A good day for a walk in the wild.

7. Sam Fiszman Park

Ramsgate Avenue East North Bondi, Bondi, New South Wales Australia
Excellent
44%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Sam Fiszman Park

Reviewed By michaelbG5998RH - Sydney, Australia

The Sam Fiszman Park is located at the end of Ramsgate Avenue at Ben Buckler Point - its a favourite part of my morning walk when I'm in the area. If you follow the road back towards Bondi you can also take a detour through the small boat harbour, have a look at the Aboriginal rock engravings and then make you way over the rocks towards the kids' pool which will get you to the start of the Northern end of the Boardwalk - advisable at low tide only!

8. Holroyd Gardens

Cnr Walpole and Pitt Streets, Merrylands, Holroyd, New South Wales 2160 Australia +61 2 9840 9840 http://www.holroyd.nsw.gov.au/your-facilities/nature-reserves/holroyd-gardens/
Excellent
67%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Holroyd Gardens

Reviewed By 88tony88 - Parramatta, Australia

Came here for an evening walk after dinner. Holroyd Garden is a great place for both kids and adults. There were two playgrounds, a bicycle track for kids, a small walking track for those who love exercise. There was plenty of parking on site and it is easy accessible by car or public transport. There were buses stopped at the corner of the garden and Merrylands train station and shopping centre just a stone's throw away. There were public toilets and BBQ facilities in the park. The garden was fenced for safety purposes and it is opened from sunrise to sunset. There was an old brick factory outside the park and plenty of professional wedding photographers brought the bridal parties here for wedding photography. This is probably due to this old abandoned brick factory looks antique and a beautiful small lake next to it. There were plenty of ducks swimming in the lake and I could see some parents brought their kids to feed the ducks. Holroyd Garden is a great place for kids and adults for social gatherings or relaxing.

9. Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden

810 Pittwater Rd,, Dee Why, Warringah, New South Wales 2099 Australia +61 2 9981 3026 http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/play/stony-range-regional-botanic-garden
Excellent
42%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden

Reviewed By ronw965

In a forest in the middle of Dee why. Great for kids and adults- want time to think relax great place.

10. Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve

Kareela Manooka Place, Sutherland, New South Wales 2232 Australia 9710 0333 [email protected] http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Outdoors/Parks-and-Playgrounds/Parks/Joseph-Banks-Native-Plants-Reserve-Kareela
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve

Reviewed By T2228PAsusanw - Sutherland, Australia

This is a delightful hidden gem of the Sutherland Shire and well worth the trip to walk among the gum trees

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