Top Rated Parks to Visit in New South Wales

"The Royal Botanic Gardens certainly are a brilliant attraction in their own right, as well as being in a spectacular location perched on the edge of Sydney Harbour. Over 200 years old, the gardens have an amazing collection of flora from Australia and across the globe. Wander through Australian natives, a selection of succulents from across the world, or explore the rainforest area."

"There are plenty of places to get some ‘grams in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Follow the waterfront path around the bay and you’ll walk by a beautiful pond, various flower gardens, as well as a large grassy lawn that has the city skyline behind it. The photo above, which features a long row of stone arches decorated with greenery, is located just in front of the Botanic Garden Cafe."

"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."

"It starts every day at 10:30 am from the Town Hall and covers so much of the city including Hyde Park, Martin Place, Sydney’s hidden bars and tonnes of great tips straight from a local. To top it off the tour finishes on Observatory Hill boasting amazing views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge."

"One of Sydney’s worst kept secrets is Wendy’s Secret Garden, a green oasis of native plants, fig trees, beautiful flowers and a thriving community of birds. The garden is a beautiful place for office workers and local residents to wind down, eat their lunch, read a book or to simply enjoy the views. Wendy’s Secret Garden is now part of the Lavender Bay Parklands, a collection of green spaces and parks in and around Lavender Bay, such as Clark Park, Watt Park, Quibaree Park and also the Lavender Bay Foreshore."

"Ok, it is not really a secret – but Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden is still very much an underrated attraction in Sydney often overlooked by locals and tourists alike. A free place to visit, this delightful Lavender Bay garden on the lower North Shore of Sydney Harbor has charming views and a unique feeling of peace and tranquility. A public garden and much-loved oasis formed on railway land at the bottom of Wendy’s Garden, the site has an intriguing history and is well explained by signboards dotted around."

"A serene spot in Lavender Bay, the garden was created in 1992 by Wendy Whiteley, wife and muse to artist Brett Whiteley, following her by then ex-husband’s death. We love Wendy’s Secret garden. It’s a really special space for kids to follow the weaving pathways through lush foliage and discover little secrets hidden in nooks and crannies."

"Fairfield Adventure Park has been around for a few years but is one that impresses the young kids and the tweens too!. When the 30-metre slide at Hilltop Park in Schofields closed down due to safety concerns, Fairfield Adventure Park took back its title of biggest playground slide in Western Sydney. It twirls and glistens in the sun and simply has to be seen to be believed."

"Especially designed to provide a play space for kids of a variety of ages, the Fairfield Adventure Playground brings the “wow” factor in spades. The park opened in 2015 after a $1.4 million council investment. With the star attractions designed specifically for teens, this is a unique playground that provides a much-needed recreational space for older kids."

"If your little ones love heights, they're going to love adventuring to new heights at Bonna Point Reserve. Bonna Point Reserve only opened in 2020 and is already exciting little adventure seekers with the playground's Sky-pods, a labyrinth of elevated rope walkways, and the epic 4.5m slide!. Location: 310-312 Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell"

"Wrapped around Farm Cove just south of the Sydney Opera House, the gardens, which were established in 1816, occupy one of Sydney’s most spectacular waterfront positions. A relaxing day exploring the gardens is one of the best things to do in Sydney with kids. The Royal Botanic Gardens runs plenty of family and kids’ programs all year ’round (check their calendar for upcoming events) but we have the most fun practicing cartwheels on the shady lawns, watching eels in the pond and climbing rocks and trees."

"When it comes to Australian gardens, the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain is one you will want to visit with kids. There’s always something special on the show with a range of tours and activities developed frequently for kids (check their calendar for upcoming events). One of our favourite spots to visit with the area is Lady Macquarie’s Chair which boasts a spectacular view whilst being rich in history."

"Welcome to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, an oasis of 30 hectares in the heart of the city. Wrapped around Sydney…"

"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."

"Stockland Merrylands is one of the region’s largest retail malls, with more than 200 specialty stores. The mall currently receives over 10 million customer visits annually, making it one of the most popular..."

"Here you'll find an indoor play area for children aged 3-12 years located on Level 1, near Target.Where: McFarlane St and Pitt St, Merrylands"

"Located on the Kamay Botany Bay National Park’s northern headland and housed in a historic Cable Station building, the La Perouse Museum documents the 1787-1788 expedition of Comte de Lapérouse who arrived in Botany Bay a week after the First Fleet before departing and then mysteriously disappearing. When visiting La Perouse Museum make sure to visit the Macquarie Watchtower, Pere Receveurs Tomb and Bare Island. Opening Times: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm | Saturdays and Sundays, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm | Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.Ticket Prices: FREEAddress: 1542 Anzac Parade, La PerouseWebsite:La Perouse Museum webpage"

"Feature: A mix of Aboriginal history and artefacts from the expedition of French Explore La Perouse who reached Australia in 1788 just days after the English. Unlike many on this list, this Museum is well outside the CBD, in the coastal suburb of La Perouse. Housed in the old Cable Station, which once connected Australia to the rest of the world via telegraph, the Museum commemorates the famous La Perouse expedition, a French scientific endeavour whose ships arrived around Port Jackson at roughly the same time as the First Fleet."

"The last one on this list of free Sydney museums is not as well-known as most other museums, but La Perouse Museum at the southern end of Anzac Parade is certainly worth a visit. The museum is housed in the former Telegraph Cable Station building on the La Perouse headland, and is home to a large collection of exhibits related to the 1787–1788 expedition of a French naval officer and explorer. This expedition arrived in Australia one week after the First Fleet, and vanished without a trace months later."

"Although small in size, the Quarantine Station Museum has big appeal as it shares a lesser-known history of the arrival of European settlers. Inside the Quarantine Station you will learn what new arrivals had to go through before they were free to leave and start their new life. You can choose from a variety of guided tours including a ghost tour or a walking tour that takes in much of the surrounding beautiful bay on Sydney’s North Shore."

"Occupying a prime location next to Sydney’s Darling Harbour, the Australian National Maritime Museum is a must-visit for tourists as well as for local Sydney-siders. As the name suggests, the Australian National Maritime Museum is focussed on Australia’s maritime history, and is home to an impressive collection of objects that go as far back as the 17th century. Note that tickets are required for specific exhibitions and to enter the ships and vessels that are on display inside and outside the museum."

"The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) is Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. Grab a free ticket from the front desk for admission into the permanent indoor galleries and under 5s play area “Mini Mariners”. For entry into our fave spot, the “Kids on Deck” craft area, visiting exhibitions and the ships, a paid ticket is required."

"* James Craig – (Sydney Heritage Fleet... Location: Sydney"