20 Great Parks in Sydney You Need to Visit

Discover Sydney’s best parks, offering everything from playgrounds and walking trails to stunning waterfront views and picnic areas.

Sydneysiders have always had a strong connection with the outdoors, and one of the best ways to soak up the fresh air, sunshine, and open spaces is by visiting the city’s many parks.

To help you discover a perfect park for a relaxing wander, a scenic run, or a picnic with family and friends, we’ve put together a list of 20 beautiful parks in and around Sydney.

These parks are organised by location, starting from North Sydney and moving through the city, inner suburbs, Eastern Suburbs, and out to Sydney’s west.

1. Carradah Park

Carradah Park in Waverton
Carradah Park in Waverton (map location)

Carradah Park in Waverton is a spacious public area that was once an industrial site. Today, it features a network of walking trails and lookout platforms, offering a great place to explore.

The park also boasts one of Sydney’s most scenic lookout points, Berrys Bay Lookout, with stunning views of the Harbour Bridge, the Sydney CBD skyline, and Balls Head Reserve, which borders the park.

More info: Balls Head Reserve and Carradah Park.

2. Lavender Bay Parklands

Lavender Bay Parklands
Lavender Bay Parklands (map location)

The Lavender Bay Parklands is a unique collection of parks and green spaces in the Lavender Bay area, including Watt Park, Clark Park, Quibaree Park, and the Lavender Bay Foreshore.

Each park has its own character, so it’s worth spending a few hours exploring them all, especially the scenic foreshore trail.

One of the highlights is Wendy’s Secret Garden, a beautiful urban park filled with native plants, fig trees, flowers, and a vibrant community of birds.

More info: Lavender Bay Parklands.

3. Barangaroo Reserve

Barangaroo Reserve
Barangaroo Reserve (map location)

Barangaroo Reserve is a modern, 6-hectare park on the Harbour, home to more than 75,000 trees, palms, ferns, shrubs, and other plants.

With its network of multi-level walking paths, Barangaroo Reserve is an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll while enjoying stunning views of the Harbour.

The park is easily accessible, with walking routes from Cockle Bay and Barangaroo in the south, as well as from The Rocks and Circular Quay in the east.

More info: Barangaroo Reserve.

4. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (map location)

Established in 1816, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a 30-hectare oasis perfectly located right next to Sydney’s CBD.

As Australia’s oldest botanic garden and scientific institution, it showcases an impressive collection of plants from around the world.

The best way to appreciate the park’s beauty, heritage, and plant diversity is by simply wandering through its paths, with stunning views of the Harbour and city skyline as an added bonus.

More info: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

5. Hyde Park

Hyde Park in Sydney
Hyde Park in Sydney (map location)

Situated on the eastern fringe of Sydney’s CBD, heritage-listed Hyde Park is the city’s oldest public parkland, stretching north towards the Domain and the Royal Botanic Garden.

Steeped in history, Hyde Park is bordered by several historic buildings, including the Supreme Court of New South Wales, St James Church, Hyde Park Barracks, and St Mary’s Cathedral.

The park also features the ANZAC War Memorial, a heritage-listed monument and museum near Liverpool Street.

6. Pirrama Park

Pirrama Park in Pyrmont
Pirrama Park in Pyrmont (map location)

Award-winning Pirrama Park in Pyrmont is a beautiful Harbour-side green space, with its exceptional landscaping as a standout feature.

This popular park offers grassy areas, wide walking paths, a large playground, BBQ and picnic facilities, public toilets, and several nearby cafes.

Formerly a base for the water police, the area was purchased by the City of Sydney in 2005 and transformed into the stunning park it is today.

7. Victoria Park

Victoria Park in Sydney
Victoria Park in Sydney (map location)

Victoria Park is a well-maintained, 9-hectare urban park located at the corner of Parramatta Road and City Road in the inner-city suburb of Camperdown.

Next to The University of Sydney, the park features a large playground, an in-ground public pool, and barbecue facilities.

Victoria Park has a small designated parking area accessible via City Road on its eastern side. Alternatively, the park is well-serviced by buses, and both Redfern and Central train stations are within walking distance.

8. Prince Alfred Park

Prince Alfred Park in Sydney
Prince Alfred Park in Sydney (map location)

Prince Alfred Park, a 7.5-hectare urban park, offers plenty of green space along with a heated outdoor pool, sports courts (including tennis and basketball), fitness equipment, and playgrounds.

After several rounds of redevelopment, Prince Alfred Park has become a popular leisure spot for Sydneysiders, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and open spaces.

Located right next to Sydney’s Central Station, the park is easy to access. Plus, dogs are allowed off-leash on the central grassy areas.

More info: Prince Alfred Park.

9. Rushcutters Bay Park

Rushcutters Bay Park in Darling Point
Rushcutters Bay Park in Darling Point (map location)

Located in a picture-perfect Harbour-side setting, Rushcutters Bay Park offers a beautiful green space with a foreshore walking trail that extends to Yarranabbe Park.

The park has everything a Sydneysider could want, including a large sports field, fitness station, playground, kiosk, restrooms, and stunning Harbour views.

More info: Rushcutters Bay to Rose Bay Walk.

10. McKell Park

McKell Park in Darling Point
McKell Park in Darling Point (map location)

Though McKell Park in Darling Point may not be as well-known, it’s a stunning and unique park that definitely deserves a spot on this list of great Sydney parks.

What makes McKell Park stand out are its beautifully manicured lawns and idyllic Harbour location, making it an ideal venue for weddings and other private events.

Interestingly, the park was built on the foundations of historic mansions that were demolished in 1983, with some of the original walls and stonework still visible today.

11. Cooper Park

Cooper Park in Bellevue Hill
Cooper Park in Bellevue Hill (map location)

Nestled in Bellevue Hill, just north of Bondi Junction in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Cooper Park is a beautiful bushland reserve with several walking trails, picnic spots, and recreational facilities.

A mostly natural creek runs through the heart of the park, with surrounding hills and cliffs supporting a variety of native trees and shrubs. Walking through Cooper Park feels almost like stepping into a lush rainforest!

More info: Cooper Park.

12. Centennial Park

Centennial Park
Centennial Park (map location)

Opened in 1888, Centennial Park is Sydney’s playground in the Eastern Suburbs, offering 189 hectares of open spaces for recreation and leisure.

Designed as a people’s park for the enjoyment of all residents of New South Wales, it features gardens, ponds, statues, and wide avenues.

Centennial Park also holds historical significance as the site where the federation of the Australian colonies was celebrated, and where the Commonwealth of Australia was inaugurated on 1 January 1901.

The park is part of the Centennial Parklands, which also includes Moore Park and Queens Park. It remains one of Australia’s most popular and historic public spaces, attracting more than 30 million visitors annually.

More info: Centennial Park.

13. Bronte Park

Bronte Park
Bronte Park (map location)

Situated just behind Bronte Beach along the famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, Bronte Park is a spacious, family-friendly area perfect for relaxing, exercising, swimming, and surfing.

Bronte Road, nearby, is lined with cafes and restaurants offering dine-in or takeaway options, making it easy to enjoy a scenic lunch in the park with ocean views.

The park also features barbecues, playground equipment, toilets, shelters, and a kiosk.

14. Glebe Foreshore Parks

Bicentennial Park in Glebe
Bicentennial Park in Glebe (map location)

The leafy inner-west suburb of Glebe is home to four interconnected parks along the popular Glebe Foreshore walking track.

Covering more than 16 hectares, Bicentennial Park, Federal Park, Jubilee Park, and Blackwattle Bay Park offer expansive grasslands, playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, wetlands, and off-leash areas for dogs.

With views of the bay framed by the city skyline and the Anzac Bridge, this area is a truly special place to visit.

More info: Glebe Foreshore Walk.

15. Sydney Park

Sydney Park
Sydney Park (map location)

Located in St. Peters, and bordered by Alexandria and Erskineville, Sydney Park is a 40-hectare recreational area featuring open spaces, rolling hills, thriving wetlands, and its iconic heritage chimneys.

Interestingly, Sydney Park was once a large landfill and industrial brick-making site, and has been declared a contaminated site. However, don’t let that deter you, as the park is officially considered safe.

Today, dog-friendly Sydney Park offers a large children’s playground, various cycling and walking paths, picnic areas, a cricket and AFL oval, and much more.

More info: Sydney Park.

16. Rozelle Parklands

Rozelle Parklands
Rozelle Parklands (map location)

Opened in December 2023, Rozelle Parklands is a 10-hectare multi-purpose space featuring cycling and pedestrian paths, picnic and barbecue areas, sporting fields, playgrounds, and more.

Located on the site of the former Rozelle Rail Yards, the park has been revitalised with the planting of over 3,000 trees, returning the area to the community.

Rozelle Parklands is easily accessible by public transport, with Rozelle light rail station just south of the park, connected by a pedestrian bridge.

17. Ballast Point Park

Ballast Point Park in Birchgrove
Ballast Point Park in Birchgrove (map location)

Located at the edge of the Balmain Peninsula in Birchgrove, Ballast Point Park is a 2.6-hectare space that beautifully blends Sydney’s historical charm with stunning Harbour views.

Opened in 2009 after a seven-year redevelopment, the park combines historical elements with modern amenities, including walking trails, a playground, picnic areas, and bike access.

Ballast Point Park is easily accessible by public transport, with bus stops nearby and the Balmain ferry wharf close by.

More info: Ballast Point Park.

18. Cabarita Park

Cabarita Park
Cabarita Park (map location)

Situated on the Parramatta River at the northern tip of Cabarita and managed by the City of Canada Bay Council, Cabarita Park offers a scenic riverside escape.

The park features a small natural beach, picnic and barbecue facilities, a large playground, a swimming centre, a marina with a kiosk, and a toilet block.

While there is ample parking available within the park, it is metered. Alternatively, the park has a ferry wharf with direct connections to Parramatta and Sydney’s city.

19. Bicentennial Park

Bicentennial Park in Sydney Olympic Park
Bicentennial Park in Sydney Olympic Park (map location)

Covering 40 hectares of scenic parkland, Bicentennial Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in the Greater Sydney area.

It’s an ideal family weekend destination and a major drawcard for those living in the growing suburb of Sydney Olympic Park.

A standout feature of Bicentennial Park is the Treillage Tower, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding wetlands, Olympic Park’s residential towers, and sports stadiums.

More info: Bicentennial Park.

20. Blaxland Riverside Park

Blaxland Riverside Park
Blaxland Riverside Park (map location)

Blaxland Riverside Park is a popular, family-friendly park in Sydney Olympic Park, featuring a unique play space with various areas designed for children to enjoy.

Spanning over three hectares, the park also offers walking and cycling paths, picnic spots, a waterfront cafe, and much more.

While there is a large parking area at Blaxland Riverside Park, it tends to fill up quickly on weekends, so it’s best to arrive early.

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Author:

AJ Mens

AJ Mens is a digital publisher based in Sydney, Australia, and the editor-in-chief of Sydney Uncovered and Blue Mountains Uncovered.

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