We took a walk down to this pretty park from our nearby apartment. It's got a bit of everything -…read morewalking/running paths, great water views, tennis courts, play equipment for the kids and more! We walked along the bay for a bit, and stopped at the marina for a drink. There are signs warning you that sharks have been spotted in the bay, so not a place for a refreshing dip. But if you have a boat, it sure seems like a nice place to dock it. For a place so close to the CBD, it was quiet and felt like smiles away from the noise of the city.

Rushcutters Bay Park has a few hidden gems (ok maybe not that hidden) that are great if you are…read moreactive or not. The monkey bars at the south end are actually a great area to do a workout. Watch out for peak hour - right after work - sometimes there are groups of people being coached in that area so you might need to wait for specific stations. There are tennis courts at the south west side of the park - book them online but if you try for early evening there are some people that have standard bookings each week. Later at night is good since they have a great lighting system. Even better is during the day with fewer people around. There is a cafe here that is decent for a coffee but there are so many other coffee shops nearby that you may want to walk a bit. At the Cruising Yacht Club there is a restaurant as well. Fantastic outdoor deck seating and fish and chips are ok. Of course nice cold beer is available as well. You can get reservations and some weekends are very busy. Never tried the indoor seating (why would you when you are by the harbour?). The whole park is dog friendly so be prepared for some visitors if you are having a picnic. Some dogs running 'free-range' but never had a problem. Just make some new friends.

So this park is just a little sentimental to me. I went to Double Bay Primary School (across the…read moreroad), and this sprawling patch of harbourside green was my lunchtime playground... little did I appreciate it at the time. This is the perfect picnic spot. Settle in the shade of a majestic fig tree, and marvel at the endless park activity... frisbees, cricket, tai chi, footy, runners, dogs... dogs love it here. There's a playground for the kiddies, and a big gazebo to sit inside if lying on a blanket on the ground ain't your thing... but you might have to share it. Plenty of cute boats to ogle. And lots of water action, particularly when the 18 footers are in full sailing swing. Head towards the club (perched over the water) and you'll see Double Bay beach to the right. This could be the world's smallest beach, but it's cute and picturesque. Keep an eye out for the resident gaggle of geese... work on your harbourside tan... or frolic in the shallows and cool off on a hot day. Tip: avoid Steyne park like the plague on school days, or prepare to be overrun by hundreds of rambunctious primary schoolers.

Nestled next to the water's edge, this is a fabulous grassy patch/playing field/exercising area…read more There's a well equipped children's play park with swings and climbing frames, as well as plenty of space to run wild. Set convieniently close to Double Bay and an easy walk to Rushcutter's, this is a wonderful destination on a summer's day for a picnic and a play.

Stumbled upon this amazing spot when walking to my hotel. The food is yummy, the view is gorgeous…read more Such a great secret spot.

Ever go somewhere and it's phenomenal but then you kind of forget how good it is until you go there…read moreagain? It's kind of how I imagine many girls feel about my bedroom. Probably. But yeah, Redleaf. Halfway between Kings Cross and Vaucluse, it really is just a peach of a place. Stroll down through some magic manicured gardens to a hidden slice of damn near perfection. Long, lovely sand, a shady hill with green grass to sprawl on (shoot for a prime spot under the trees, or miss out and quietly get well jell of the people that did manage to jag a tree spot) and a big, beautiful private swimming pool made of the harbour itself. Swim out to the pontoons and have yo-self a little ol' pontoon party. That's what the cool Eastern Subbsies kids do. And pretending you're one of them can't hurt. You just have to get the strut right.

This is a bit of a pain to get to - all Hogwarts-style alleys and secret staircases too narrow for…read moretwo people to walk abreast - but the payoff is pretty great. Oh yeah and parking suuuuuucks, especially as literally every house in the little cul-de-sac is doing renovations because they're rich, why not slap on another level every couple of years? Once you've got a park, sneak down the alley (there's a signpost) next to the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, which is looking a little worse for wear mind you, and there you are, an entire small-but-perfectly-formed beach all to yourself and whoever you came with (a date? Did you bring a date? I hope it goes well. Good beach choice, by the way. You'll score points). Can get choppy on overcase days, best to come when the sun's out and your guns are also out. It's a cracking place to while away an afternoon, plus you can look at all the giant houses and wonder what the hell these people do for a living.

Whereas my local courts in Rushcutters Bay are set beautifully next to the harbour, Cooper Park…read moreTennis courts have the equally picturesque setting of being in the middle of a forest. Bondi Junction may be a short stroll, but tall trees on sloping hills give you a feeling of secluded-ness, that make playing here and extremely pleasant experience! The high trees also offer a protection from the sun - when it's not at it's midday point - as well as the wind, so you can't go blaming a shanked backhand on a strong breeze. There's also a café and pro shop, along with changing rooms, and if you feel you're in need of a little tuition, coaching sessions can be booked. For parents out there, children's courses are held during the holiday period. It's advised that you book in advance, just to make sure you can get a court, especially on the weekends, with prices ranging from $25/hour before 5pm Monday to Friday, and $30/hour after 5pm and all weekend.

This entire garden is a landscape architecture gem. It has won numerous award and is the staple…read moreproject on every architecture fan's lips. A must visit. Arguably one of the best adaptive reuse project in Australia, the reservoir promotes and celebrates the beauty of its past life while revels in the future and its potential. It's wide enough to host functions and gatherings etc, and when I was there, people used it for work meetings or simply just to meet up with friends. The bench initiative where you get to grab a deck chair and sit wherever you want is genius. Protip: come during sunset and watch the world go by as the sun goes down. It is stunning.

It's a very small garden. It's fun to walk around. It's next to an apartment/condo building…read more There's a section of the garden where it's locked. Would be nice if it's open to the public as well.