Popular Gardens in Cockatoo Island

"From the eastern side of the Opera House, you have easy access to the Royal Botanic Gardens, in my opinion, one of the most impressive gardens in the world, certainly from a location standpoint. You can’t beat the serenity and harbour views and this is a great place to spend an hour or two in Sydney. Take a walk around the gardens to admire the many different types of plants and city views. You can also take a free self-guided walking tour."

"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."

"Opened in 1816, the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the oldest and most beautiful botanic gardens in the city. The gardens are open every day of the year and feature 30 hectares of exotic plants from Australia and places around the globe. The garden is also the oldest remaining scientific establishment in the country and provides a space for important botanical research and breeding."

"Hidden in the bustling precinct of Darling Harbour is the Chinese Friendship Gardens, a gift to Sydney from Sydney’s Chinese sister city, Guangzhou in China. It has the strange ability to transport you away from Sydney to a tranquil spot that the kids will love exploring. Make certain you head to the traditional dress shop where, for a small fee, you and the kids can choose an outfit to wear to explore the grounds."

"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."

"Built in 1805, Vaucluse House is quite extravagant and one of the remaining 19th-century mansions still surrounded by its original gardens and wooded grounds. Purchased in 1827 by William Charles Wentworth (yes, the very man who Wentworth and Wentworth Falls is named), he set about making the original cottage quite a statement with his partner Sarah Cox. However it was never completed and finding the front door is still quite a perplexing issue."

"Lone Pine Lawn at Vaucluse House is another beautiful garden wedding ceremony venue for those who love nature and want to have some old world charm with the Vaucluse House as the backdrop with the gardens. The estate is away from the busy city so you and your guests can feel like you’re in a different world without being too far away from home."

"Built between 1803 and 1839 in the Gothic Revival style, the Vaucluse House is a 19th-century estate surrounded by 11 hectares (28 acres) of formal gardens and grounds. It is one of the only remaining houses of the period that has retaining a significant part of its original setting."

"From the eastern side of the Opera House, you have easy access to the Royal Botanic Gardens, in my opinion, one of the most impressive gardens in the world, certainly from a location standpoint. You can’t beat the serenity and harbour views and this is a great place to spend an hour or two in Sydney. Take a walk around the gardens to admire the many different types of plants and city views. You can also take a free self-guided walking tour."

"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."

"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."

"Near Luna Park via Clark Park, Lavender St, North Sydney, New South Wales 2060 N.S.W. Australia+61 2 9936 8100[email protected]http://www.wendyssecretgarden.org.au"

"Designed by Harry Seidler for his parents and built between 1948 to 1950, Rose Seidler House provides panoramic views of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and is one of the finest examples of mid 20th-century modern domestic architecture in Australia. A visit to the Rose Seidler House provides visitors with an opportunity to view the furniture and fittings form one of the most complete and intact post World War II design collections in public ownership. Opening Times: Open Sundays only | 10.00 am – 4.00 pmTicket Prices: Family $38.00Address: 71 Clissold Rd, Wahroonga NSW Website: sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/rose-seidler-house"

"The incredible Paddington Reservoir Gardens is an award-winning public park sunken below Oxford Street in the inner eastern Sydney suburb of Paddington. Occupying a reservoir that was once a vital source of water for a growing Sydney, this park is an artistic transformation of the heritage-listed site that invokes comparisons with the ancient Baths of Rome and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The original brick, timber, and iron components of the reservoir were rescued and seamlessly blended with contemporary and sustainable elements."

"Located below bustling Oxford Street is one of the best hidden gems in Sydney: the Paddington Reservoir Gardens. From the street, it looks like a hodge-podge of columns, plants and graffiti art. Upon closer look, travelers see the beauty of its $10 million restoration."

"Eden Gardens in Macquarie Park provides a diverse range of flora, different types of gardens, and unique sculptures located throughout the gardens for wedding photography. Eden Gardens offer a choice of unique garden wedding settings to suit your wedding style, including wet weather backup options for your wedding ceremony."

"With two locations in Kogarah as well as Eastwood, Taste of Shunde is a no-fuss, authentic dining experience. The restaurant celebrates flavours from south-east China, offering a niche dining experience with dishes like roast goose and fried milk- don’t judge before you try!. Address: A16/5 Belgrave Street, KogarahPhone: (02) 8385 9720Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 11.30 am – 3 pm, 5.30 pm – 10 pm"

"Not only does The Langham Sydney have one of the best hotel pools in Australia, but their two-level underground day day – simply titled The Day Spa by Chuan – ain’t so bad either. Consider it to the ultimate luxury wellness sanctuary, tethered to the idea that just the right amount of excess, paired with top-quality products, can have a massive effect on spa treatments. Whether you’re choosing the Champagne pear massage or the heated volcanic stones treatment, there’s plenty of reasons why The Day Spa is a sure-thing when looking for the ultimate male day spas in Sydney."

"The serene underground spa focuses on providing a holistic and thorough experience. They have a stunning 20-metre swimming pool complete with columns, a star-dappled ceiling and comfortable poolside lounges, so you can forget about the outside world for a while. The Day Spa also offers a ‘build your own’ spa treatment selection."

"There’s something slightly Roman about this two-level, underground spa. It could be the lavish pillars. Or maybe the olde-worlde mural on the wall."

"Located in the recently refurbished Hilton Sydney, Alysium is a luxury day spa that’s located right next the hotel’s 25m indoor pool and fitness centre. As you may be able to tell by the name, most of the design and ambiance here is drawn from Greek mythology, but the spa treatments are decidedly modern and have been worked up with the business traveller in mind. That’s why you’d find a jet-lag treatment on the menu, right alongside other specials like a thermal green clay wrap, hot stone massage, and a specialised couples massage."

"Services provided:Facial treatments, massages, hand and foot services, spa packages, and more. Price range:$AUD 25 - $AUD 519. Check out Alysium Spa here."

"An important part of Sydney’s cultural fabric, the State Theatre has seen a lot since it opened in 1929. It has played host to red carpet premieres, traditional English pantomimes, and famous musical acts. The magnificent building includes elements of gothic, Italian and art deco styles."

"The State Theatre hosts loads of shows throughout the year ranging from musicals to comedies to burlesque so there’s something for everyone. As you’ll just be passing by, for now, make sure you take a look in at the beautiful art deco foyer."

"The historic Capitol Theatre plays hosts to theatre shows, musicals, ballets and other concerts throughout the year. Located in Haymarket, the theatre is easily accessible from the Sydney CBD. It’s not just the shows themselves though, the Capitol Theatre is the perfect location for a great night out."