Located next to Tumbalong Park, a lot to see and do, located…read morealong Sydney Harbor. Many attractions, play areas. museums, restaurants and shopping close by.

Even if you're a local, there's a chance you haven't stumbled upon Darling Park. This hidden gem…read moremay look like it belongs to the office blocks surrounding it, but the park - designed by a team from Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens no less - is absolutely open to the public. And it's glorious. The 3000 square metre space has a central spire, emanating from which are a series of garden beds and grassy expanses - perfect for taking a load off during a lunchtime. A circular walkway rings the garden, and it is lined with benches, tables and handy little alcoves to sit and chat. Come lunch hour of course this is teeming with white-collar folk, but if you pick your moments, this is a delightful green haven. Such a rarity in the CBD. My favourites are the wombat statues (see photo) that frolic in one of the garden beds and are just too cute for words. You can see one is stretched out on the grass catching 20 winks, which is exactly what I've done on many a visit to Darling Park.

What a fabulous green space. Sydney is full of wonderful areas to sit or take a walk and just enjoy…read morenature. This being the largest park and smack in the middle of the city, it is quite impressive. Large mature trees, walkways, seating areas, multiple fountains, memorials, an art gallery and even a museum. My favorite part was the huge chess game and the watching the folks playing getting into heated discussions as bystanders were taking sides of the two players and loudly voiced their continued advice. What a fabulous addition to the city. The only problem are the birds as seems to be the case all over Sydney. Mostly the Ibis, which seem to be also called bin chickens. They are everywhere, quite aggressive and therefor not so well liked.

Australia's oldest and most well known park is in the heart of Downtown Sydney. Its featured…read moreattractions include Anzac Memorial, Archibald Fountain and many other monuments and statues throughout the park. Close to transportation include Saint James and Museum train stations are located right next to Hyde Park. Bus and light rail are also near by. Plenty of trees surrounding the area providing lots of shaded areas to sit, relax and enjoy the city. Public toilets surround the area. Divided by Park Street at the southern portion. The northern portion features the Archibald Fountain and many different gardens including Sandringham and Nagoya Gardens with all types of art work and monuments. Hyde Park can also hold a number of events throughout the year including the Sydney Festival, Australia Day, and the Food and Wine Festival. It's the perfect place for tourists to enjoy the sights and office workers to appreciate a green and central public space from the congested CBD of Sydney.

This park has got to house one of the most interactive playgrounds in the Inner West - for kids and…read moreadults alike. The play equipment here is great (yes, I have sampled it personally), and tailors to the Inner West's musical inclinations. With a giant glockenspiel amongst other musical/play equipment, it's great place to try out that new song you've been working on - the neighbours here must relish the sound of silence. In saying that, Foley Park is a pretty peaceful place. Despite the constant chortlings of the Wireless House, a sound-art installation designed to replicate an 1930's wireless radio that once lived here (this is really cool despite being somewhat creepy at night), this provides a more interesting and relaxing soundscape, as opposed to just being irritating white noise. Foley Park fills with people lying in the grass on their lunch breaks, and as a free wireless internet hotspot, its a common and lovely spot for uni groups to meet. It remains pretty well lit at night, and the pathway running through the park doesn't feel like it should bear signs of warning. And the best thing about it? It's directly opposite both Sonoma bakery/cafe and Fish On Fire, and thus makes the perfect picnic spot.

This is definitely an urban park. It's only a square block, but it's neat, it's clean, and it has a…read moreplayground for little kids. The small park is almost designed like a running track where there's a lawn/greenery in the middle and paved way with benches scattered throughout the track. Because it's so small, it doesn't really block out any of the traffic noise nearby, but visually, you can try.

Darling Quarter playground received it's much needed makeover, and what a makeover it is!…read moreThe sand pit is still there but slightly smaller, but the children won't notice because they are greeted by a much cooler distraction - the water play! shallow water puddles, water pumps, screws, and squirts everywhere! The flying fox is amazing, and climbing play is better than ever. There are a lot seating but we could do with more shades. The only bad thing about this playground is dragging the kids out afterwards and finding a restaurant that is happy to play host to wet and sandy bottoms. But that's why we pay big $$ at Darling Harbour ;)

Darling Harbour has really kicked it into full gear as of late. A great representation of that is…read morethe evolution of Darling Quarter. A delight for both children and adults alike (and the self-proclaimed in betweeners like myself), this is a must see portion of the harbour. The kid's playground is spectacular. I agree with my fellow reviewers when they say it may be Sydney's best playground. If you can elbow the kids off the swinging, rotating disc, definitely do so, and take a ride. It's a surefire good time. And what about the slide? Yes, you can glide down the wide slide with several mates by your side (couldn't resist that one, sorry). During the weekdays around lunchtime, however, the Quarter becomes the "play and lounge" center for the nearby corporate crowd. With public ping pong tables (BYO paddles and balls), it's a good place to get a little physical without turning your business suit into a sweatsuit. And while you're letting your hair down, bring your lunch on over and sunbake in the public lounge chairs. It might just be the perfect pick-me-up to get you through the rest of your work day.

While this park is primarily a cricket ground, it is a stunning space perfect for the kids to burn…read moreoff a bit of energy. The best part is off to the side it also has everything you need to have a picnic or bbq. With onsite picnic facilities, including undercover tables, as well as an electric bbq, this is a great venue. My boys of course love the playground. It is much the same as many of the new areas with the primary coloured climbing gyms, but hey... no need to fix what ain't broke. So next time you see a bit of blue sky, drag the kids out and get them to run laps or something... :-)

Definitely the biggest playground I've ever been to! It has it all... swings, giant climbing…read morestructure and very high rope bridge, flying fox, tunnels and slides, rope climbing web, etc. We spent more than 2 hours here and had a group of kids ranging from age 1 to 12. We definitely will be back whenever we're in the area!!

Drawn in by the potential of the Armory Wharf Cafe (review http://frid.co/nikCOQ) I found my self…read moredriving a bit out of my way to give it a go. Not knowing a great deal about this park, when I arrived I was amazed to see the play area with the shiny slippery slides, climbing areas and massive swings. This is an awesome park. While some parts of it still seem under development, and there is a real lack of shade areas, this has to be one of the best play areas I have seen in Sydney. If your kids can not have fun here they are simply not trying hard enough. While it appeared there was a tonne of parking available, on the weekend you are going to find it challenging. As for what to bring when you come, if you have a bike, bring it as there is a huge bike track to check out. If you don't have one, you can rent one ( http://frid.co/qSpPMO ). Of course if you want to chill out and relax, perhaps with a coffee, then head to either the Armory Wharf Cafe or the Armory Wharf Canteen ( http://frid.co/nKLbIw - which is only open on weekends and public holidays). Alternatively you could grab one of the benches near the free BBQ hot plates and cook up a couple of snags. If you are looking for the perfect place to have a kids birthday party, this might be it! You just might not want to do it on the weekend...

A very nice Citi park near city center. With the name reserve, I expected it to be more of a Nature…read more area. But think of it as an urban park with spectacular of views of the harbor. On one end they created a natural swimming pool out of a cove . If you want more shaded area, you can walk up the stairs or use the elevator to walk on the plateau overlooking the Harbour

Barangaroo Reserve is Sydney's newest Harbour foreshore park - marking the transformation of one of…read morethe city's oldest industrial sites into a spectacular, six-hectare headland open space for Sydneysiders and visitors to embrace and enjoy. It can be a bit hot and sunny getting here. I walked from South Barangaroo to the Reserve and had to cool down in the shade while viewing Wellama, a contemporary re-imagining of Welcome to Country, commissioned for the entrance to the Cutaway in Barangaroo Reserve. The breezes from Sydney Harbour helped a lot.

My favorite activity for my first week in Sydney. I can see from this trail how people can become…read moreenamored with the city. Easy access From Bondi Junction, a 20 minute bus ride depending on where you want to start. I walked 90% of the trail because i wanted shorter Bus route. FYI, the bus is within the building of Bondi Junction above the train station not street side. Reminds me of some of the cliffs along the beaches of California. Some tips. Bring swimming trunk, lotion, sun protection, and water bottle. There are refill stations along the way and bathrooms. Not much shade even on this cloudy day. Multiple beaches along the route where you can take a dip. Restaurants are also accessible, but I prefer a picnic lunch so you can enjoy the views with the plenty benches and the beaches. Some have some shady seating options. I went on a weekday so I'm guessing on weekends more crowds. The beaches often have showers and restrooms.

An amazing, 4 mile walk! Truly breathtaking in all the ways possible. From the beautiful,…read morepicturesque spots, to the graveyard and most perfect blue water I've ever seen, this walk was worth every minute, every mile and every step. One of the most memorable, special moments of my time in Sydney. Pictures don't do it justice, but the memories will last a lifetime. Stop along the way at clovelly beach, dolphin look out, and take in natures finest when you finally make it to the Bondi icebergs!