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.

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.

I don't even know whether what I write will give justice to this wonderful local park after Jessie…read moreA's review below which captures what this park is like so well. It is without a doubt one of the best maintained parks in Balmain and us locals are so fortunate to have it. There is an eclectic planting if trees: figs, palms and elms that give shade and uniqueness. Right in the middle is a beautiful gazebo for picnics, parties and weddings. The lawn is always lush and beautifully manicured and there is a small rose garden so you can smell the flowers during a sunset stroll, watching the kids on the excellent playground or walking the dog. The wonderful and historic Dawn Fraser tidal pool is at one end and as the park is on a small peninsula you have glorious views of Cockatoo Island around to the Iron Cove Bridge. Ellington Park is a wonderful place a quick stroll or lying on a blanket with a book and a glass of wine on a sunny day.

Elkington Park, ye King of Parks. This park juts out on a…read morerocky Balmain Peninsula, looking out to the Parramatta River and Cockatoo Island. It has the well-manicured but rambling feel of an old English estate - picturesque pretend wilderness. There are tall palm trees and wide, heavy figs. Plenty of shade, and a bit of a hill to climb when you're walking back home. There's peculiar postmodern play equipment (it used to be excellent creepy wooden stuff, before they made it all "safe"), and a public toilet that gives you the heebie-jeebies. There's a grand central rotonda (available for hire for parties), and it's a 1 minute walk down to Dawn Fraser Pool. Best of all, if you go right to the end of the peninsula, you can explore rocky sandstone caves and alcoves (a favourite haunt of Balmain bong-smoking teenagers). The end of the peninsula is also an off-leash dog area, so long as you don't get too close to the kids' play equipment.

Sydney Harbour has certainly changed over the the years, namely because a lot of the industrial…read moresection has been moved out and sent down to another part of the coast (namely Botany Bay and Newcastle). This, the harbour looks a lot greener than it used to, particularly with this section which used to be an oil refinary. You can still see where the tanks used to sit, though they aren't there any more. Instead it has basically been turned into a park, and there as some pretty awesome lookouts here as well.

What can I say. On a spectacular blue sky day such as when I walked through this park, nearly any…read morepark would seem sensational. Being so close to the harbour with a view of the Sydney Harbour bridge however gives this surprisingly large park an edge. I would classify this park as a picnic haven. With the wide expanse of grass and the large old trees looking down, this park is, on a word, peaceful. What surprised me was that heading towards the water, past the toilets on the right, were stairs down to a sports field. I envy the.teams who play here as it has a truly awesome view of the boats bobbing up and down. While not a park with masses of play equipment, for those that bring your own kite, soccer ball or cricket bat, I am sure you'll find a way to pass the time. :-)

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.

D1 and 30-40 of her boho buddies had her 21st here. I got the food organised and dropped it off for…read moreher. Then I was told I was no longer needed. Three things amazed me about this place. First it is a brilliant restoration of an archeologically important site that can actually be used. It is not a museum 'look but don't touch' place. Second, it was kept away from developers even though its location must have made them hyperventilate at the profits that could have been made by destroying it. Third, its free. Her 21st was free! I cannot believe my luck! Apart from some students making a short film and a couple taking wedding shots there was no one else there. Chairs are provided and there are undercover areas if the weather turns, it has everything. I was overcome by my creative side, a side that appears only to me and which is denied by my family who say it is simply boredom. Anyway, I took some photos, some of my best work I think. Its a great spot.

Located at Constitution Rd, Meadowbank…read more Taken from City of Ryde Website: "Meadowbank Park is one of our major sporting and recreation areas. There are more than 10 playing fields used mainly for soccer and cricket, as well as netball hard courts and tennis courts. There are three playgrounds and walking and cycling paths along the Parramatta River as part of the Ryde Riverwalk". It has picnic areas and shelters, toilets, BBQ areas, Playgrounds and so forth. Great little gem if your're living in the area.

The Meadowbank Park is right beside Parramatta River. The walk stretches across a number of suburbs…read moreand is a pleasant stroll of an afternoon. Watch out for the bike riders who forget to ring their bell as they speed up behind you. Could be a line there "you can ring my bell"!

Just look at that view! It's the kind that makes you pinch yourself that you're a Sydneysider - and…read moreit's definitely a view that you want to smugly show your overseas visitors. Preferably on New Years Eve. Oh yes I've spent many a NYE on these shores. Every year it seems to be a bit more restricted (more cops, more checks), but the result is that it's a great place for families to come and watch the 9pm fireworks - you'll just have to make sure you send a vanguard EARLY! But actually I prefer Blues Point every other day of the year, when I can wander down with a book and a coffee (see my Allpress rave from The Point Deli) and soak up some sun and that view for an hour or two. Bliss!

This is a view of Sydney Harbour if I ever did see one. The first thing I thought of when I drove…read moredown to this spot was what an amazing place to view the New Years Eve fireworks from. My second though was that it's a pity the grassed area is so small as I imagine every man and his dog would be trying inch their way in to the perfect viewing position. And it's got to be THE perfect viewpoint. The bridge looks complete, your virtually in the centre of it and only far enough away for it to be too close. I probably would attempt it on fireworks night but I would take any out-of-towners there for the complete view. There's also a designer playground... meaning no colourful plastic equipment here - silver shaped climbing frames... on second thoughts it might be workout gear for big people.

A relaxing place to come, besides that one time a creepy fat homeless person was walking the…read moreperimeter footpath yelling obscenities at cars and spitting every where. Except that one time, this place is great just to sit with friends and catch up. There is a shaded fenced off area with play equipment. I've never had the chance to check out the quality (seriously, a dude hanging around play equipment by himself is NEVER a good look) but the kids sound like they're always having fun. There are a couple of tennis courts (no idea if you need to book them or if you just rock up). A few open field areas where sports can be played. The trees here are HUGE and offer great cover from the afternoon sun. I use to come here with a old friend and just talk for hours.

Burwood Park is conveniently located across from Westfield Shopping Centre, and two hundred meters…read morefrom Burwood train station. During the day, this place is a hub of activity. From tardy school kids to meditating seniors, Burwood Park is a multicultural hotpot buzzing with activity. The covered playground is perfect for little ones, while the outdoor chessboard, tennis courts and barbeque facilities are great for people of all ages. Standing in the shadows of the War Memorial Arch and Sandakan Memorial are Burwood Park's beautiful gardens and duck pond. If you hang around long enough you might even catch a glimpse of the 'bird man', who marches through Burwood Park every evening, with a bulging bag of bread in hand and a determined grimace on his face. But be careful not to loiter too long, because after dark Burwood Park is inhabited by somewhat undesirable characters (despite the extensive lighting). So be careful, and don't walk alone.