For those days when you’re craving a bit of time in nature, whether it be for a stroll, a picnic, reading a book or enjoying the scenery, this is your list. We’ve found 18 gardens that are perfect for all types of days and all types of adventures.
Auburn Botanic Gardens
Chisholm Rd &, Chiswick Rd, Auburn
Best for: enjoying a long stroll and seeing the cherry blossoms in spring. Entry is $5 per person, children under 16 free and residents of Cumberland City Council are free.
Pram friendly: yes
Nearby: there is a playground within the gardens
Centennial Park Rose and Column Garden
Grand Drive, Centennial Park
Best for: an epic day out. After admiring the Rose and Column garden, kids will love the playground, bike hire, the entertainment quarter, cafes and more!
Pram friendly: yes, and bike and scooter friendly!
Nearby: Ian potter WILD playground and Entertainment Quarter
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Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Square
Pier Street, Cnr Harbour St, Darling Harbour
Best for: Next time you’re in Darling Harbour or surrounds, make sure to pop into this piece of paradise. In a 30-minute stroll, you can enjoy waterfalls and lagoons, wildlife spotting and a rest break in the peaceful pavillions. The tea house is also open and offers Yum Cha. Entry is $8 for adults and $4 for kids.
Pram friendly: there is a pram friendly route on the lower pathways
Nearby: so much that we wrote a whole article about it.
E.G. Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens, Caringbah
333 Taren Point Rd, Caringbah
Best for: Grandma’s birthday! Take her for a stroll in the stunning gardens and then enjoy Devonshire tea or lunch at the Teahouse. Open Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm. Weekends and Public Holidays 9.30am – 5pm. Entry is free.
Pram friendly: partially
Nearby: There are 2 playgrounds and a Teahouse onsite that serve breakfast lunch and high tea.
Fagan Park Galston
38-48 Arcadia Rd, Galston
Best for: a day out with family – BYO picnic, scooters and sunscreen! Fagan Park is just stunning and favourite for locals. Make sure to explore the Gardens of Many Nations – find your favourite national garden! Note there is a playground on site and a weekend coffee kiosk too.
Pram friendly: yes, and bike and scooter friendly!
Nearby: There are plenty of lovely cafes to visit on the drive home to Ryde.
Nurragingy Reserve Western Sydney Parklands
Knox Road, Doonside
Best for: family gatherings. Facilities include picnic and barbecue areas, kids playgrounds, bushwalking tracks, formal garden areas, the Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens, a water splash area, picturesque lake and water spray.
Pram friendly: yes, and bike and scooter friendly!
Nearby: Lakeside Kiosk serves coffee, hot food, drinks and snacks
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Parramatta Park
Pitt St &, Macquarie St, Parramatta
Best for: visiting during a day out at Parramatta Park. There’s so much to do at Parramatta park – here’s our full write up.
Pram friendly: yes!
Nearby: cafes and playgrounds can be found on site.
Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney
Best for: spend the afternoon with the whole family in this 30-hectare oasis in the heart of the city. With stunning views, gardens and lots of food options, the Royal Botanic Garden is a must-see. Make sure to check out their kid’s programs which run all year.
Pram friendly: yes
Nearby: the whole CBD!
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Stony Range Regional Botanic Gardens Dee Why
810 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why
Best for: adventurers and bush lovers. See if you can find the ladder rope, waterfall and magic circle!
Pram friendly: partially
Nearby: Dee Why beach ?♀️
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?? Secret Gardens ??
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden
420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives
Best for: bushwalking. This 123-hectare (300-acre) botanical garden is located on the edge of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. All the plants you’ll spot are native and sourced from across Australia, including 18 threatened species of flora.
Pram friendly: no
Nearby: St Ives Shopping Centre is a 5 minute drive away
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Lisgar Gardens Hornsby
Lisgar Rd, Hornsby
Best for: camellia lovers! Aside from the formal gardens, fish ponds, waterfalls, informal lawn areas, picnic tables and a rainforest walk. Open weekdays 8am-3.30pm, weekends 10am to 4pm. Closed public holidays.
Pram friendly: no
Nearby: Westfield Hornsby is a few minutes drive away
Paddington Reservoir Gardens
251-255 Oxford Street, Paddington
Best for: A quick break from the hustle and bustle. Paddington Reservoir Gardens is a striking urban park that makes a ruined former reservoir available for the public to enjoy and explore.
Pram friendly: no
Nearby: Lots of shopping & cafes.
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Swain’s Garden Killara
77 Stanhope Road, Killara
Best for: a secret garden adventure. Hidden in the middle of a standard Sydney street, Swains Garden is a gorgeously tended garden that has toilets, BBQs and seating areas.
Pram friendly: yes, and bike and scooter friendly
Nearby: Seven Little Australian Park (another hidden gem!)
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Wahroonga Park
Coonanbarra Road, Wahroonga
Best for: enjoying the colours of autumn and jumping on crunchy leaves ? While Waroonga Park isn’t all that secret, perhaps you you visited for the playground rather than the lanscaped gardens but now it can be for both :)
Pram friendly: yes
Nearby: There’s a fabulous playground on-site and a cafe across the road
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Wendy’s Secret Garden, Lavender Bay
Lavender St, Lavender Bay
Best for: bring a book and treat yourself to a quiet day out. Once you read this story, you’ll want to visit right now!
Pram friendly: no
Nearby: Sails on Lavendar Bay restaurant, Milsons Point, Luna Park, McMahons Point ferry wharf
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Further Afield
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Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
362 Narellan Rd, Mount Annan (1 hour 20 minutes from Ryde)
Best for: serious plant lovers. It is a vast botanic garden with natural woodland, colourful flowers & open spaces, plus has a cafe and gift shop. You’ll find a spectacular collection of themed gardens full of wonderful, easy-to-achieve ideas for you to try at home.
Pram friendly: partially
Nearby: Mount Annan proper is a 20-minute drive away.
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Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
Bells Line of Rd, Mount Tomah (1 hour 30 minutes from Ryde)
Best for: cool climate lovers. It is the country’s highest botanic garden features cool-climate plants, guided tours and picnic areas.
Pram friendly: yes
Nearby: Kurrajong is 30 minutes away
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Breenhold Gardens Mount Wilson
29 The Avenue, Mount Wilson (1 hour 45 minutes from Ryde)
Best for: Autumn leaf lovers! The heritage-listed Breenhold Gardens at Mount Wilson is one of the most extensive privately owned garden properties in Australia. Open Autumn and Sping. Entry is $15 per adult and $5 for children over 5+. The family rate for 2 adults and 3 or more children is $40.00.
Pram friendly: yes
Nearby: Blackheath and Bilpin are 30 minutes away
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