8 of the best · Sydney, Australia
Gardens, Headlands and the Bush: Sydney Outdoors
The Royal Botanic Garden on Farm Cove, Hyde Park and Centennial Parklands, the harbour’s national park, and the Royal, Ku-ring-gai Chase and Blue Mountains national parks.
Our 8 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated November 2026
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Insiders' picks
Three Sydney moments we keep going back to: the Manly ferry out of Circular Quay, the cliff walk from Bondi to Bronte in the early morning, and a tour inside the Opera House.
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On Farm Cove
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
The great garden between the Opera House and the Domain; open daily from 7am to sunset.
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000Explore View on map
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A headland remade
Barangaroo Reserve
Six hectares of native planting and sandstone on the former container wharf; open 24 hours.
The full list: Parks, A–Z
Show all 8 places on a map
More areas 2
City parks 4
Gardens and lawns.
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A headland remade
Barangaroo Reserve
Six hectares of native planting and sandstone on the former container wharf; open 24 hours.
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The great park of the east
Centennial Parklands
Ponds, avenues and the flying-fox camp of Lachlan Swamp, between Paddington and Randwick.
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The Archibald Fountain
Hyde Park
The city’s central park, with the Archibald Fountain and St Mary’s beyond.
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On Farm Cove
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
The great garden between the Opera House and the Domain; open daily from 7am to sunset.
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000Explore View on map
National parks 4
The bush and the coast.
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UNESCO World Heritage
Blue Mountains National Park
The Three Sisters, Govetts Leap and Wentworth Falls, in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
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West Head
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Creeks, mangroves, Aboriginal engravings and the view from West Head to Barrenjoey.
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Est. 1879
Royal National Park
The world’s second-oldest national park: the Coast Track, Wattamolla and the Figure Eight Pools.
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Headlands and islands
Sydney Harbour National Park
The harbour’s headlands and islands: Nielsen Park, Bradleys Head, South Head and North Head.
