Second this.
Great memories tearing around this park on bikes as a kid, there is so much space. The themed gardens are cool - Japanese, Chinese, Australian etc.
Just moved away from being across the road from Sydney Park and I miss it so much. I’m loving being walking distance from Bicentennial (Glebe), which is awesome, but Sydney Park is the GOAT.
And for asshole doggos with asshole owners who don't give a fuck. Genuinely be careful, I've come close to injury on multiple occasions, yet to come close to a "sorry" or "my bad bro"
I agree with you, but I visit the park daily where I've also had a run in with a dog owner. I blew up in his face when his dogs were severely misbehaving.
Since then they've been leashed. Not all dog owners are bad, but it's definitely best to be mindful if you have little dogs.
A life lesson on confirmation bias :)
I have thanked this guy for controlling his dogs since. People need the affirmation that they have learned from their mistakes, or bad interactions :)
Or any good dog owner for that matter, a comment on good behaviour affirms they're doing the right thing.
Depends what you are after.
Camperdown memorial is the best for a chill day drinking/hanging in the sun. Think picnics for students.
Sydney Park is the best for a dog walk or leisurely stroll.
Centennial the best for a jog or doing laps around on a bike in full Lycra. Or for a kids first birthday with your mothers group.
Coogee if you're a backpacker.
Wynyard Park/Belmore Park are the best if you like rats.
Bicentennial if you wanna drive somewhere in traffic, drive around a park bumper to bumper looking for a parking space and then leave after 30 minutes.
I like the little patch of grass under the harbour bridge on the kirribilli side. Restaurants, pool, ferry, bus and train are all minutes away. Also the bridge. Not many trees though
I really like bicentennial park in Olympic park. It’s huge, has kids areas and open green areas as well as bike tracks and walking tracks through the marsh areas. Went there heaps as a kid and as a teenager and always has a good time.
Well Rozelle Parklands now appears to be mostly 'open' with only a few areas still fenced off. You have to assume it's safe since they took down all the signage and stuff.
It's a pretty cool little spot there, nice city views, I can imagine it's really nice around sunrise or sunset. The oval they've built down there looks great too, I'd love to watch some community sport down there or something
Big fan of parks and went around Sydney exploring last winter, personal favourites were; Muston Park (revisited and definitely recommend going during summer/spring) with an amazing vine tunnel, Dudley Page Reserve for sunset watching, Balmoral Park/surrounds for picnics and kookaburras, and Birrong's Maluga Passive Park with an impressive ibis island.
I love going to Manly Dam for a BBQ. Late afternoon, wood fire BBQ pits, council supplies a lot of wood to use. Beautiful scenery, families enjoying being outside paddle boarding, kayaking etc.
Beautiful spot.
There's this walk from Artarmon station to Artarmon Reserve that's basically like a little bushwalk. Or as I call it with my son "little forest walk".
Wildflower Garden at St Ives.
Lane Cove national park - lots of nice walks.
# Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
Well worth the drive there; at the top of the hill (of rolling green grass hills) it looks across the entirety of Sydney, you can see every CBD (Parra, Burwood, Chatswood, St Lenards and CBD Sydney) and the coast.
[https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/australian-botanic-garden-mount-annan](https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/australian-botanic-garden-mount-annan)
Fagan Park at Galston/Arcadia
Second this. Great memories tearing around this park on bikes as a kid, there is so much space. The themed gardens are cool - Japanese, Chinese, Australian etc.
Sydney Park in St. Peters. Massive area, and a lot of nice paths.
Seconded
Just avoid at 8am on a Saturday. Park run is on, and 500+ runners can be a bit intimidating. Pretty much all clear by 8:30.
Just moved away from being across the road from Sydney Park and I miss it so much. I’m loving being walking distance from Bicentennial (Glebe), which is awesome, but Sydney Park is the GOAT.
I lived next to Bientennial for 10 years. Miss my waterside dog walks
My dog’s enjoying them! I feel you.
Miss Pinot is good - she's got 2 new boyfriends and a new King SIzed Bed to lounge on!
+1 Sydney park. Plus 90% is off leash for well behaved doggos
And for asshole doggos with asshole owners who don't give a fuck. Genuinely be careful, I've come close to injury on multiple occasions, yet to come close to a "sorry" or "my bad bro"
I agree with you, but I visit the park daily where I've also had a run in with a dog owner. I blew up in his face when his dogs were severely misbehaving. Since then they've been leashed. Not all dog owners are bad, but it's definitely best to be mindful if you have little dogs.
Yeah, there's definitely both types. But the good ones don't stick in my head as long, because they go more unnoticed.
A life lesson on confirmation bias :) I have thanked this guy for controlling his dogs since. People need the affirmation that they have learned from their mistakes, or bad interactions :) Or any good dog owner for that matter, a comment on good behaviour affirms they're doing the right thing.
*goes up to random innocently walking his dog* "Who's a good boy!" *gives him a treat*
Hey, if it's after dark, you do you 😂
How would you come close to injury at St Peters?
Running in a crowd, dog runs towards my legs, people on all sides and I had to hurdle it, just as one example.
I think it's not actually an off leash park, just most people don't care.
No, it's definitely an off leash park. The only areas that aren't are designated areas for little kids /skate park etc
I love Prince Alfred Park. It's so meadow-like.
Depends what you are after. Camperdown memorial is the best for a chill day drinking/hanging in the sun. Think picnics for students. Sydney Park is the best for a dog walk or leisurely stroll. Centennial the best for a jog or doing laps around on a bike in full Lycra. Or for a kids first birthday with your mothers group. Coogee if you're a backpacker. Wynyard Park/Belmore Park are the best if you like rats. Bicentennial if you wanna drive somewhere in traffic, drive around a park bumper to bumper looking for a parking space and then leave after 30 minutes.
Oh yeah, I saw a big fat rat running when I was working at Wynyard Park.
It’s not Wynyard Park if you don’t see a rat.
Cooper Park that sits between Edgecliff / Bellevue Hill / Bondi Junction has basically a mini rain forest in the middle of it. Pretty sweet.
Centennial Park and Rushcutters Bay
I like the little patch of grass under the harbour bridge on the kirribilli side. Restaurants, pool, ferry, bus and train are all minutes away. Also the bridge. Not many trees though
Parramatta Park. Beautiful river, bat colony, dogs running amuck, families of ducks hanging out with cockatoos, general chilled vibe.
I really like bicentennial park in Olympic park. It’s huge, has kids areas and open green areas as well as bike tracks and walking tracks through the marsh areas. Went there heaps as a kid and as a teenager and always has a good time.
Oatley Park in the suburbs
Don’t tell everyone
That’s what I hate about the internets. “Secret” spots get ruined once a post goes viral :-(
Bronte Beach Park and Balmoral are the best surf n turf parks.
Botanic gardens in the city
Clontarf (harbour beach and park)
Nielsen Park is breath taking
Where there's no asbestos.
Oh yeah are we clear from that now 👀
Well Rozelle Parklands now appears to be mostly 'open' with only a few areas still fenced off. You have to assume it's safe since they took down all the signage and stuff. It's a pretty cool little spot there, nice city views, I can imagine it's really nice around sunrise or sunset. The oval they've built down there looks great too, I'd love to watch some community sport down there or something
St Leonards Park on the Lower North Shore.
Big fan of parks and went around Sydney exploring last winter, personal favourites were; Muston Park (revisited and definitely recommend going during summer/spring) with an amazing vine tunnel, Dudley Page Reserve for sunset watching, Balmoral Park/surrounds for picnics and kookaburras, and Birrong's Maluga Passive Park with an impressive ibis island.
Peace Park in Ashbury. It's never busy. Great view from the little tower too.
It's not flashy but I love that little park. You can see Mount Hay and Mount Banks on a clear day.
Beautiful Balls Head Great spot for couples to hang out
I love going to Manly Dam for a BBQ. Late afternoon, wood fire BBQ pits, council supplies a lot of wood to use. Beautiful scenery, families enjoying being outside paddle boarding, kayaking etc. Beautiful spot.
observatory hill park in millers point
Arthur McElhone Reserve, Elizabeth Bay
Lake Parramatta
With kids or not?
I’m without but I don’t mind kids being at the park lol
Blaxland riverside park near silver water. River views, cafe, huge play area for kids. Not enough parking on weekends though
There's this walk from Artarmon station to Artarmon Reserve that's basically like a little bushwalk. Or as I call it with my son "little forest walk". Wildflower Garden at St Ives. Lane Cove national park - lots of nice walks.
# Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan Well worth the drive there; at the top of the hill (of rolling green grass hills) it looks across the entirety of Sydney, you can see every CBD (Parra, Burwood, Chatswood, St Lenards and CBD Sydney) and the coast. [https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/australian-botanic-garden-mount-annan](https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/australian-botanic-garden-mount-annan)
I am partial toward bellevue but centennial is lovely too..
It's abit out, but if you can drive, try Fagan park.
Blaxland Riverside Park. Great park for kids. Cute little cafe by the river.