Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Manly

"The Royal Botanic Garden has one of the most beautiful locations in Sydney – on the harbour, next to the Opera House, bordering the central business district. For visitors, it’s a stunning location that gives views of the Harbour Bridge and across to the north shore of the city. But it’s also one of the most important botanical institutions in the world with about 9000 species of plants."

"Royal Botanic Gardens Just past the Opera House, you will enter into these beautiful gardens. It’s full of stunning displays and hosts different events each week. It’s the perfect spot to take a break and watch the world go by or choose one of the paths and see some of the beautiful displays."

"Spend the days hitting the beaches (some of my faves are Coogee, Manly, Narrabeen and of course the famous Bondi Beach) and at night hit one of the traveller bars in Kings Cross to get your globetrotting adventure off to a flying start. My personal choice is the World Bar, where the cocktails are served in teapots!"

"Located on the Northern Beaches, Manly Beach is a family-friendly destination. To reach this beach, take a short 30-minute ride across Sydney’s famous harbour on the Manly Ferry. Manly is a must visit Sydney destination offering waterfront restaurants, attractions, adventure and entertainment for young and old."

"Carry on and you will hit the popular Manly beach. It’s a great beach for surfing and usually less crowded than Bondi. Wander around to the Cabbage Tree Bay Eco-Walk which has lots of cute sculptures along it representing the vast marine life and plants in the area."

"Set at the southern end of Darling Harbour, the scenic and serene Chinese Garden of Friendship is a treat to stroll around. An oasis of calm in the city, its lovingly landscaped water features, rock gardens and pavilions shine a light on Chinese heritage and culture with the gardens having been designed in Guangzhou; Sydney’s sister city. Symbolizing the bond between the two countries, the gorgeous garden was first opened in 1988 to celebrate Australia’s bicentennial."

"Built according to Taoist principles, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is usually an oasis of tranquillity – although one increasingly dwarfed by assertive modern buildings. Designed by architects from Guangzhou (Sydney’s sister city) for Australia’s bicentenary in 1988, the garden interweaves pavilions, waterfalls, lakes, paths and lush plant life. There's also a tea house."

"The walled Chinese Garden respectfully recreates the philosophy and harmony of a traditional Chinese garden in its waterfalls, lakes, exotic plants, pavilions and hidden pathways…once you’ve discovered this secret garden, you’ll never want to leave!"

"Blaxland Riverside Park is a hugely popular pocket of parkland in Sydney Olympic Park, home to a unique play space with various play areas for children. The park is spread over three hectares, and besides the play areas, the park also offers walking and cycling paths, picnic areas, a waterfront cafe, and so much more. Note that while there is a large car parking area at Blaxland Riverside Park, during weekends this area can fill up very quickly."

"Blaxland Riverside Park Play Space was one of the first Sydney Playgrounds to think big when designing a playground that would continue to be exciting for kids after their first, twelfth and even fiftieth visit. We’ve always called it Teletubbies park for its interesting rolly polly constructed hills. It has that park feel about it."

"If you’re a surfing fan, make sure to add a trip to Freshwater Bay to your to-do list this Summer. Located just North of Manly, this beautiful family beach is where surfing was first born in Australia. Back in the Summer of 1915, Hawaiian ‘Duke’ Kahanamoku famously carved a surfboard from some local timber and introduced surfing to the captivated locals."

"Located in St. Peters, bordered by Alexandria and Erskineville, Sydney Park is a 40ha large recreational area characterised by open recreation spaces, rolling hills, wetlands and historic chimneys. What you may not know is that Sydney Park used to be a large landfill and an industrial brick making site, and as such the park is actually declared a contaminated site. But don’t let that deter you, because the park is considered safe."

"St Peters Park is one of our favourite places to visit with our bikes as it has an entire mini road pathway with traffic lights, roundabouts and stop signs perfect for little kids. Of course, it is also free. On the other side of the park you will also find an enormous playground with tunnels, climbing walls, bridges, slides and swings."

"Sydney Park offers 40-hectares of greenery a stone’s throw from the city centre. The main drawcard for kids is the adventure playground that will occupy them for hours. There’s also a large sand pit."

"When the bar isn’t hosting a drag show or an exhibition launch, everyone is on the dance floor gyrating and undulating to dancehall, hip-hop and house. Currently closed but reopening soon. 183 Regent Street,Redfern"

"Get delicious and high-quality sushi and sashimi from this Japanese restaurant at Darling Square. 📍Simulation Senpai, The Exchange, Darling Square, Haymarket NSW 2000"

"Chinese and Japanese cuisine square off with an equal outcome at Chuuka, the first non-site restaurant from The Star Sydney headlined by chefs Chase Kojima (Sokyo) and Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook). Chinese flavours are transformed by Japanese techniques for dishes like tempura yuzu chicken, Tenshindon style blue swimmer crab and scallop fried rice, and Kurozato brown sugar ice cream mochi. Address: Suite 62-64, Jones Bay Wharf, 26/32 Pirrama Rd, PyrmontContact: (02) 9657 9882"

"Under the moto “East meets East”, this Sydney fusion restaurant delivers on the promise to reinterpret Asian cuisine as we know it. Feeling curious already?. Head to Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont and, dish after dish, embark on an unforgettable culinary journey."