Chilled days: gardens, parklands and picnics in Sydney

Not every free day needs to be busy. Sydney has a handful of gardens where the best plan is to bring a rug, unpack a picnic and let the children wander. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney sits right beside the harbour and the city, with lawns, winding paths and plenty of places to stop. Wendy's Secret Garden at Lavender Bay is a small, tucked-away garden on the water, and the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden at St Ives gives a more bush feel on the northern side. These places suit the days when everyone is a bit tired. They work well for babies in a pram, for grandparents who want to come along, and for children who need to burn energy without a structured activity. They are also good fallbacks when the weather turns, since you can often retreat to a tree. The key to a chilled day is lowering expectations. Take a ball, a book and some snacks, then let the day unfold. Look at what is in flower. Hunt for lizards and birds. Let children climb the low branches. Many of these gardens ask you to stay on paths or off certain garden beds, so check the listing for any rules, and keep dogs and bikes in mind. If you want some structure, ask the garden for any trail or activity sheet. The listing tells you what is on offer.

Our picks

  • Wendy's Secret Garden Wendy's Secret Garden Lavender Bay

    Wendy's Secret Garden is a public garden created by Wendy Whiteley in the Lavender Bay Parklands, off Lavender Street, Lavender Bay.

    ★ 4.8 (3,596)

  • Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Sydney

    The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is Australia's oldest botanic garden, on the harbour about a 5-minute walk from the city centre.

    ★ 4.7 (25,572)

  • Parramatta Park Parramatta Park Parramatta

    World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park covers 85 hectares of lawns and gardens, historic monuments, event spaces and sporting and leisure facilities on the western edge…

    Playground

  • Wylde MTB & BMX Wylde MTB & BMX Cecil Park

    Wylde MTB and BMX is a riding area in Western Sydney Parklands at Cecil Park, reached from Elizabeth Drive via Range Road and the Wylde Access Road.

    ★ 4.7 (145)

  • Jubes Mountain Bike Park Jubes Mountain Bike Park North Wahroonga

    Jubes Mountain Bike Park is a Ku-ring-gai Council mountain bike area at the back of Golden Jubilee Field, off Esk Street, Wahroonga.

    ★ 4.4 (127)

  • Hope Kids Playgroup Hope Kids Playgroup Maroubra

    Hope Kids Playgroup meets at Hope Uniting Church Hall, 829 Anzac Parade, Maroubra.

Before you go

Best for which ages

Babies and toddlers enjoy the lawns and the freedom to crawl and toddle. Preschoolers like finding bugs and flowers. Older children enjoy a scavenger hunt, and teenagers may like photography or a quiet place to sit, especially if you bring something to eat.

What to bring

Bring a rug big enough for the whole family, because the harbour-side lawns fill up on weekends, and a hat for the open stretches. A small bag of toys or a ball is useful, as are binoculars or a magnifying glass for nature spotting. Pack sunscreen and insect repellent, and a spare layer if the harbour breeze picks up.

Parking and facilities

Parking near city gardens can be limited and costly, so many families arrive by train, bus or ferry. Smaller gardens may have little parking at all. The listing says what is on site, including toilets and cafes, so check before you set out.

Best time of year

Spring is a favourite, with gardens in flower and mild weather. Autumn is calm and comfortable. Summer picnics are best in the morning or evening, and winter can be crisp and sunny. Wildflower gardens change with the season, so each visit looks different.

Prams and accessibility

The bigger gardens have wide paths that suit prams and wheelchairs, though some slopes are steep. Smaller gardens may have steps and narrow tracks. Check the listing for access notes before you go. Paths are usually smooth near the entrances and rougher further in, so a carrier gives you more choices than a pram alone.

Botanic gardens and big parklands

Open lawns, shaded paths and room to run, with toilets and a picnic spot close by.

All gardens and parklands in Sydney, free and paid

More free days out

Community farms, wildlife spots and other places that cost nothing to get into.

  • Wylde MTB & BMX Wylde MTB & BMX Cecil Park

    Wylde MTB and BMX is a riding area in Western Sydney Parklands at Cecil Park, reached from Elizabeth Drive via Range Road and the Wylde Access Road.

    ★ 4.7 (145)

  • Jubes Mountain Bike Park Jubes Mountain Bike Park North Wahroonga

    Jubes Mountain Bike Park is a Ku-ring-gai Council mountain bike area at the back of Golden Jubilee Field, off Esk Street, Wahroonga.

    ★ 4.4 (127)

  • Hope Kids Playgroup Hope Kids Playgroup Maroubra

    Hope Kids Playgroup meets at Hope Uniting Church Hall, 829 Anzac Parade, Maroubra.

  • Coogee Randwick Wombats Coogee Randwick Wombats Maroubra

    Coogee Randwick Wombats is a junior rugby league club and a member of the South Sydney District Junior Rugby Football League, which lists the club and its contact on…

  • Ivo Rowe Rockpool Ivo Rowe Rockpool Coogee

    The Ivo Rowe Rockpool is a small natural ocean pool run by Randwick City Council at 1R Bunya Parade, South Coogee.

Questions parents ask

Can we have a picnic in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney?
Yes, families commonly picnic on the lawns, but check the garden's rules on where and what you can bring. The listing and the garden's own signs are the best guides.
What is Wendy's Secret Garden?
It is a small harbourside garden at Lavender Bay, built into a hillside and full of paths and corners to explore. Wear shoes with grip, because there are steps, and keep an eye on little ones near the edges.
Is the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden good for kids?
It gives a bush feel on the north side, with tracks to wander and plants to spot. It suits children who like a gentle walk and a bit of nature. Check the listing for any rules and facilities.
What should we do in a garden with a restless child?
Give them a mission, such as finding five different leaves or a bird. Let them run on the lawn, and keep snacks handy. A short visit that ends happily beats a long one that does not.

Other kinds of free day in Sydney

Chilled days in other cities