Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) 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."

"Known locally as a great spot for novice surfers to learn the ropes, Manly Beach is a beautiful, palm-lined sanctuary that is great for recreation, family activities and relaxation. One of the features that makes Manly Beach unique is its netted ocean pool, which offers safe sheltered swimming for visitors. Additionally, Manly Beach features beautiful hotels, a boardwalk, a variety of delicious restaurants that serve fresh seafood, a selection of wonderful ethnic restaurants and several unique shopping boutiques."

"Catch the ferry to Manly – a cheap way to experience beautiful Sydney Harbour with stunning views of the city is to catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly and back. In Manly, walk down the palm tree-lined Corso towards the beach for an ice-cream, walk around to picturesque Shelly Beach, or grab a cold beer at Manly Wharf Hotel. Time your return ferry trip back to the Quay to coincide with the sunset behind the harbour bridge."

"If you think that the best Sydney beaches are all located in the eastern suburbs, south of the bridge, you’re wrong!. Sydney’s northern beaches are just as exciting as their eastern rivals, with Manly Beach standing out as one of the most popular Sydney tourist destinations. Manly is a beachside suburb with a somewhat unique and relaxed atmosphere."

"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."

"A 40 hectare green space near St Peter’s, Sydney Park was built in the space once occupied by Bedford Brickworks – the chimneys of which have been left and are a feature of the park that can be seen from some distance away. Features of the park include a large playground on its western side, the Sydney Park Cycling Centre on its northern side, winding pathways over hills for walking and cycling, wetlands, a kiosk and bathrooms. Get more info on Sydney Park."

"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."

"It is hidden among yachts, in the marina just near the Spit Bridge in Middle Harbor. Executive chef Alessandro Pavoni is from the northern-Italian region of Brescia and oversees a menu of nuanced dishes that range from glazed pork jowl to creamy risottos and some of the prettiest entrees in town. Australian seafood shines here, so come for Moreton Bay bugs, Queensland red scarlet prawns and Sydney rock oysters did creatively."

"As part of the NSW Government's Everyone Can Play Program, this inclusive play space located along Southern Sydney's Georges River is one of the biggest we've ever seen!. Oatley Park Adventure Playground is a nature-lovers dream utilising the natural landscape of the park's bushland setting and adding equipment constructed predominantly from natural materials. At Oatley Playground, there are plenty of trees to provide shady spots and loads of fun features to keep active kids busy."

"Oatley Park is a 45-hectare bushland reserve on the northern side of the Georges River. It is bounded by the Georges River, Lime Kiln Bay, and Jew Fish Bay. Oatley Park features an inclusive adventure playground, a netted swimming bath, short, easy bush walking tracks, picnic areas and other free amenities for the local community to enjoy."

"Oatley Park Adventure Playground has just reopened after a massive makeover. It features a humungous slide, great digging spots, a double flying fox, balancing areas, a teen space and so much more. There’s lots of shade and it feels like you are right back in nature."

"In the divine Vaucluse area, Nielsen Park is an idyllic spot for a nature walk or sun-soaked afternoon overlooking the beautiful harbour. Known for its incredible outdoor picnic spots, the park includes three sheltered barbecue and food areas."

"Ku-Ring-Gai Chase is the second oldest national park in Australia. We love this Park for its proximity to Sydney (a quick 45 minute drive from the city), significant Aboriginal sites and stunning scenic views. There are many walks you can do here, but make sure to soak up the panoramic views at West Head Lookout!"

"A spectacular mix of sandstone, Australian bushland and tranquil water vistas, this 14,928-hectare park forms Sydney’s northern boundary. It’s located 20 to 30km from the city centre and accessible by public..."

"Boasting a rooftop set above The Rocks skyline, The Glenmore’s uninterrupted views are popular with Sydneysiders looking to get a birds-eye view of Vivid. The delicious pub fare and range of beers on tap provide the perfect casual setting for a Vivid dinner. The Glenmore rooftop is alfresco, so be sure to rug up."

"The Glenmore rooftop area has you covered in rain, hail or shine with its retractable roof and scenic setting. The views are what really make this one of the best in outdoor dining Sydney has on offer. It’s got views of the Harbour Bridge and the twinkling lights of the CBD."

"A "Sydney's best rooftops" list without the Glenmore is like a pub menu without schnitzel: unfathomable and incomplete. How's that Opera House view across Circular Quay?. Bloody spectacular, that's what, especially when Utzon's sails change colour with the sunset."

"Inspired by the Izakayas of Tokyo and hustling Korean barbeques in Seoul, Marble BBQ on Barangaroo Avenue marries the best of both cities and cuisines with a Down Under touch. Bask in the neon glow of... "great function space & catering"

"Inspired by the Izakayas of Tokyo and hustling Korean barbeques in Seoul, Marble BBQ on Barangaroo Avenue marries the best of both cities and cuisines with a Down Under touch. Bask in the neon glow of..."

"Sure, the pairing doesn't quite scream "summer", but matching real-deal stilton with whisky is one of life's great pleasures and this luxe Parramatta cocktail bar can provide. It also does it from an east-facing terrace 26 storeys in the sky. Moreton Bay bug rolls might be better suited to the season, yours to be scoffed with a textbook French 75 or a brisk martini."

"This chic Japanese restaurant is designed with parents in mind while remaining cool and contemporary alike. Boasting an authentic menu of Japanese fare, using only the best, fresh ingredients, Kokoroya‘s food speaks for itself. Saying that, kids seems to love the place for all it has on offer for them, too."