This is a quick little lookout that sits adjacent to Kirribilli House (the PM's residence oooohhh)…read more Many people might not know it exists but if you are wandering down in that area check it out because once you get to the bottom of the steps there is a shelf of rock at water level that gives you an unobscured view of Fort Dennison. On the day I visited an angler was here doing a spot of fishing with his pooch, and we struck up a quick and friendly chat. He said he'd caught a few fish. I didn't want to impede on him too much so I took a few quick snaps, and bookmarked the spot in my brain for a return on another day. For photographers, I suspect that if you get down there early enough with the tripod you'd could probably get a spectacular sunrise shot, that hasn't been done to death like every other vantage point in Sydney. Hidden locations like this get a big thumbs up in my book :)

I discovered the Lady Gowrie Lookout entirely by accident. I wanted to have lunch on a Sunday late…read morelunch after completing 21.1km foot race in Sydney's CBD. This epic lovely overlook is basically in a Kiribilli residential sub division that overlooks Sydney's waterways. It's nice that it is basically around the corner from my accommodations here in Kiribilli for a weekend in mid September. Basically for my birthday and to run 21.1 km in and around Sydney's CBD district and on the harbor bridge. You can see leisure boats drift through area and just enjoy the landscape that this area provides. It's quite remarkable though how such a small scenic area can be one of the things to do on a trip here. It wasn't planned by any means, but I just saw a sign on the end of the street and that piqued my interest. I arrived here around 2:30pm after picking up lunch at the Thai Fusion Thai Restaurant nearby. The combination of great scenery and the Sydney waterway made the experience and lunch way more special and nice than to dine in the open air restaurant, especially when there is a public bench and a table for anyone to use. I'm sure that there is more of the lookout to explore, but I stayed near the street level and had lunch on the public bench. I probably have spent about 30 minutes here and noticed about 8 people coming through the area to check things out like me. Tourists do love a good sightseeing opportunity - as did I. The overall experience here at the Lady Gowrie lookout was simple, casual, quiet, and windy. Yes, it was rather windy that Sunday afternoon. It was rather annoying, but I welcomed it since I had ran 21.1km earlier that morning. Felt great to be there to enjoy the rest of the day unwinding from that experience. The lookout was inviting and quiet intimate, especially because it felt like a miniature park, bordered by water. I'm sure that the houses here along the water fetch an expensive amount of cash, but I'm sure it is well worth the stunning gorgeous views everyday. I imagine the Lady Gowrie lookout is maintained by the city authorities of Sydney or some local Kiribilli government department. If nothing else, private citizens and users of the lookout should keep the area clean and inviting. The Lady Gowrie lookout is located at the end of Kiribilli Avenue in the Kiribilli / North Sydney. I'm glad that my hotel accommodations were a short hop away, so I could discover this hidden gem on a whim. The best part of the Lady Gowrie lookout experience was that there is no admission fee required. That was clearly the best, although most of these type of parks and open green areas are usually free of admission. I was happy that there wasn't any type of gate or anything blocking access to it or needing permission to enter. Public green spaces are meant for the public to enjoy nature and an escape from the real world. Looking at the leisure boats while having lunch was nice. It made me think about what I want to do when I retire. Coming to Sydney and having a boat is a nice dream, so I will hold onto that dream till it becomes a reality. The ambiance was perfect and terrific. If you can drive here, there's always street parking along the residential areas where you can find them. Certainly walking is good too, especially when you can walk on the Sydney harbor bridge! However, if you are like me, there is a train station here in Kiribilli / North Sydney, but I decided to use uber to get here, so my legs can have a rest after that 21.1 km run mentioned earlier. For the most part though, I enjoyed my time here having the best time - watching the boats and wishing I was on one of them. Just for fun and just for a day, just to be one of those people who have a boat. Lol I would like to recommend coming here, if you like to have an alternate meal experience, rather than being at a nearby restaurant. Come do your take aways here and let nature do its thing. The surf helps soothe the soul and the boats help emphasize that I need to earn more to buy a boat! I would recommend coming here, if you just want something different. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. The table could be cleaner, but it's a nice green open space for anyone to enjoy. Support local! A

Pass through famous Cronulla and head north on a road that appears first to take you to an…read moreindustrial estate then a wasteland, and you come to Kurnell, a surprising little beach side suburb on the southern edge of Botany Bay. Kurnell is at the entrance to Kamay Botany Bay National Park, a park that pays tribute to the headland's extraordinary history and natural beauty. It is the site of the first contact between Aborigines and European explorers - Captain James Cook landed there in 1770, with his colleagues naturalist Joseph Banks and botanist Daniel Solander (hence Botanist Bay, which is now Botany Bay). There are monuments to several of the early European explorers, as well as exhibits that explain the location's historical Aboriginal significance and the impact European settlement has had on it. Walking tracks from a central Visitors Centre head around a loop taking in the various monuments, and towards the ocean coast where the sea pounds the limestone cliffs incessantly. Views are spectacular, especially on a sunny day when you can truly appreciate the beauty of the endless Australian sky. In season, Cape Solander is a popular whale-watching spot, and you can also choose to trek all the way along the coast back to Cronulla (around three hours). At the Visitors Centre there is a small museum, and education centre used by local schools, a gift shop and a kiosk selling coffee, drinks and snacks. Toilets are available and there is no shortage of excellent potential picnic sites.

Nice park, and manageable by walking. It seems a little too geared for cars to me, though, with…read moreroads going right through the middle of it. And if you're on the wrong side it's hard to ignore the refineries, desalination plants, and airport takeoffs. But on the right side there are paths through the bush, dramatic cliffs, and whale-watching from the shore. Cooks' landing place also has a memorial.

I debated if I should write a review about Strickland House because it is one of my favorite places…read morein all of Sydney. But, in the spirit of sharing I've decided to go ahead. A bit off the beaten track, Strickland House was once home to a Lord Mayor and then once a nursing home so the history here is in abundance. The grounds are spectacular and they boast some of the best views in Sydney. If you creep down the hill you'll chance upon a secluded beach which is now busy on the weekends, but during the week it's like your own private beach on Sydney Harbour. This is a great spot to take anybody who has never been here before - people who live in Sydney and those who don't. Creep round the back of the old house for maximum impact - when you get around the corner the revel of the view is spectacular.

A park which overlooks Pirrama Park and Sydney Harbour on the cliff end of Point Street in Pyrmont…read more I think I have only been here a few times but I think that's something I should fix by going here more. It has fantastic views of the harbour and of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is good for picnics, taking a nap or watching the fireworks. There are a number of benches located around the park which are carved from sandstone which is a nice touch and something different compared with other places. Good for people who lives around Pyrmont to go relax and enjoy the breeze, and its also good for people in general to go have a picnic or just to enjoy the views.

Although at the time I didn't know the name of this place, I had discovered it while driving around…read morelooking for locations to do some photography. And yes, it's a great place for taking pictures, try the sunset for pictures of the harbour panorama. Or, if you're the more professional type, and have some clients or models, try this location for some beautifully backlit head shots and group photographs After a while it was no longer a place I'd go to do photography, but to take girls I'd met, it's the perfect view, quiet and intimate and relaxed. Take a bottle of wine, a blanket, and maybe some cheese if you're getting hungry, it's incredibly romantic sitting on the grass, and soaking up the views. If you're getting to 'hot' there, cool off in the beach besides the park, it's also very secluded enough for some skinny dipping. It's always open, and a great venue for families during the day, and couples during the night.

The Green Point Reserve is amongst Sydney's most precious green spaces, primarily because it offers…read moreviews of the entrance of the Harbor at Watson's Bay. I'm proud to say that this reserve was the first opportunity I had to witness panoramic views of the city and it's natural splendor. You can see the entire skyline from here. Moreover, it is the best place to photograph The Gap, which is the massive ocean cliff that drops straight into the Tasman Sea. Around the reserve you can find some eucalyptus forest and other native fauna (the only thing better would be if wild koalas were hanging from the trees!). Ultimately, I think that it is best served as a place for picnics, as it is quiet and covered in lush grass. The only draw is that it is very hard to find some shade since most of the area open. Regardless, only requirement is that you bring your camera and walk down to the South Head area for spectacular photo ops. It's open 24/7, but I'm sure sunset is the best time to come.

Sydney has a lot of beautiful parks, but the expansive Callan Park has to be one of my favourites…read more Home to and starting point of Sydney's Bay Run (http://www.bayrun.com.au/?page_id=33), Callan Park is the perfect setting for exercise, dog walking and water-side strolls. Plus, as it was once the grounds of Callan Park Hospital for the Insane, it has bucket loads of eerie history. Heaps of off-leash dog areas means that any trip to Callan Park will often involve puppy encounters. The bays here are great for taking your pup for a swim as well (although locals say not to let them venture out too far due to lurking giant dog eating fish i.e. sharks) and double as a nice place to pop your own feet in the water. There's one inlet in particular that is my favourite spot to clear my head, a rock jutting out over the glittery water with five or six old wooden boats propped up on the shore. The bay run is a beautiful exercise backdrop, but if 7kms is a little daunting then the Callan Park Oval is an equally nice spot and committed crowds come here to prove it. If you prefer to escape the heat of middle-of-the-day exercise, the sports field lights are switched on at night, meaning you can get your night-time run in without tripping on an exposed root cloaked by the night. Callan Park Hospital for the Insane is now home to Sydney's School of Contemporary Arts (SCA). Many of the original wards remain, and a trip to the grounds at night time make for a particularly creepy experience (especially if you have a great story-teller in your midst). The history is worth checking out, but if it's not your kind of thing then the buildings are quite beautiful none the less. In summary, Callan Park is a) Beautiful b) Water-side c) Picnic friendly d) Exercise friendly e) Dog friendly f) Historical g) Interesting/Eerie h) Beautiful

Another one of Sydney's fantastic parks is Callan Park, located South-East of Rozelle and North of…read moreLilyfield. It's a very large park situated on the former location of the Callan Park Hospital for the Insane. It was part of the Rozelle Hospital complex with lines Iron Cove. I'm not sure if there may be some institution buildings still being used, but you can definitely see them scattered across the land. Now, it's filled mostly with empty ovals where people run laps, play with their dogs, or picnic. There are also lovely paths to jog or bike along (including the Bay Run, which passes right by), kids' playgrounds, and a playground designated for "cardio," with chin-up bars, benches, and poles. According to the Sydney City Farm website, the park was actually designed using 19th century landscaping meant to be therapeutic. For me, a run along the cove was definitely therapeutic.

Fabulous park with a massive off leash area for dogs. Tons of people out with their dogs walking…read moreenjoying the sunshine and hanging out at the kiosk. This place used to be a dumping ground in the old days and has been transformed into a gorgeous park. Sydney Park includes a series of visually prominent hills which provide panoramic views of the city skyline and Sydney Airport. There is a massive skate park, kids play areas and some of the heritage of this area has also been preserved nicely. Loved going here with our dog.

Located just south of Newtown is one of Sydney's best reclaimed green spaces. Sydney Park…read more Identifiable from the historical heritage listed brickworks chimneys from the days when the area used to be the brickworks for Sydney, it's a vast green area that is perfect for any recreational activity. Lovely open green areas perfect for walking the dog, and a large kids playground equipped with a large sandpit, climbing frames, swings and slides, it's got everything a kid needs to explore, play and wear themselves out. There's a challanging skate park, and a learn to ride bike area for the kids. There's also a sports oval where I believe a local Sydney grade cricket team plays during the summer months. Lush green grass is plentiful, and perfect for a picnic. Climb up the steep hills and you will find yourself with views stretching to the City and lower North Shore in the north, to the Aiport and Brighton le Sands region in the South, and on clear sunny days, free of smog and polloution you can glimpse the sprawling Blue Mountains and Great Dividing Range. Whether you're jogging or cycling through for a bit of quick fitness, or spending the day relaxing, it's a fantastic park with plenty of amenities. One downside is the toilets aren't the cleanest, and probably need more attention especially during weekend periods. There's a small cafe just outside the childrens play area which serves a good range of coffees and light meals. I'm sure in time that'll get a review on it's own. But with two young kids, it's going to be a regular destination for myself. And with walking distance to King St, Newtown, I'm sure there's plenty of opportunities for a cheeky beer or two in one of the many pubs and bars located along the strip. Or, if you're my wife, plenty of (window) shopping.

Macquarie Park is on the west side of the Hawkesbury River in Windsor, right next to Windsor…read moreBridge. The park was named for Lachlan Macquarie, the Fifth Governor of the colony of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821. Governor Macquarie was a fascinating man who had a big influence on this area. The Scottish born Macquarie had a leading role in the social, economic and architectural development of Australia, and historians credit him with transforming the penal colony to a free settlement. Macquarie befriended Andrew Thompson, a former convict who became the wealthiest man in the colony with his successful wheat farms. Thompson had a general store directly across the river where the historic open space and surrounding colonial buildings are known as Thompson Square. In 1811 Governor Macquarie named this open public space after Andrew Thompson, a 'founding father' of Green Hills, later renamed Windsor. See separate review for Thompson Square. Macquarie Park has walking trails, a bike path, picnic and BBQ areas, a children's playground and restrooms. The BBQ's are electric. People swim at the sandy beach and some people fish when it's quiet. You can launch canoes and kayaks here. Being on the rural side of the river, it is a nice place to take a walk and hang out. If it is quiet you can see some interesting water birds. The annual Hawkesbury Classic canoe race participants launch their canoes and kayaks from the beach at Macquarie Park. They travel 111 km along the Hawkesbury River to Brooklyn, Broken Bay, starting at 4:00 to 6:00 pm and arriving at night or in the morning.