East of the Sydney Opera House is Farm Cove, surrounded by the Royal Botanic Gardens which were established in 1816. The Royal Botanic Gardens host a tropical plant display inside the Pyramid greenhouses, and also marks the site of the colony's first vegetable patch. From the Royal Botanic Gardens you can wander around Farm Cove towards Mrs Macquaries Point. Here you will find the famous Mrs Macquaries Chair which offers fabulous views across the Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. The Royal Botanic Gardens also features a wonderful Open Air Cinema over the summer.
East of Macquarie Street is the Domain, a large grass area perfect for getting away from the city, cycling, rollerblading and even just relaxing with a picnic. The Domain is the place to go in December and January with a whole host of live performances, concerts and music. There are also a number of historic buildings along Macquarie Street worth visiting.
The first racetrack and cricket pitch is in Hyde Park, east of the city centre and just south of the Domain. A giant chessboard is set amongst trees and fountains, along with Anzac Memorial. To the west of the park is the Great Synagogue which you can tour around, and the wonderful State Theatre which offers fabulous interior design.
You will also find the 305 metre high AMP Tower Centrepoint. You should definitely take a look at the remarkable views from the tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere.
To the east of the park is St Mary's Cathedral which has a remarkable flooring within the crypt which offers tours around the Cathedral, and the Australian Museum which hosts a number of informative displays on the history of Australia. You will also come across the small Cook and Phillip Park which opened recently in 1999. Along with its attractive gardens, there is also a fitness centre and swimming pool within the park.
The largest park in Sydney is Centennial Park, offering plenty of activities from running and cycling to horse riding. Around the park you can hire horses, as well as bikes on Clovelly Road, and inline skates on Oxford Street. If you'd prefer to relax you can sit around the duck ponds, or cook at one of the barbie sites. During the summer Centennial Park also hosts the Moonlight Cinema.
Various sport areas, a golf course, the Fox Film Studio and Entertainment Complex, Sydney Football Stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground can be found in Moore Park, to the West of Centennial Park. For fishing visit Pyrmont Point Park, bushland visit Davidson Park and walks visit the Lane Cove National Park.
Featured Sydney CBD Activities
TOUR NAME
LOCATION
RATES (AUD) from
Sydney City Tour(EX571) (Bushwalking, Nature & Wildlife) Sydney Harbour reputedly one of the most beautiful in world, will not disappoint. And the city that sits around it is one of fine weather, sunshine, glorious ocean beaches with a vibrant big city vibe...
Sydney City Tour with Opera House Tour(EX574) (Bushwalking, Nature & Wildlife) This tour is a great example of what Sydney has to offer. Tour for the main duration of the experience and at the conclusion of the Sydney City Tour you then join a guided tour of Australia's most fam...
Sydney Sunset(EX579) (Bushwalking, Nature & Wildlife) Sydney - a fast paced city with style and history set on one of the world's most beautiful harbours. Take a comprehensive look at Manly Tour 202 and meet our marine wildlife at the state of the art Sy...
Purchase this DVD that captures the sweeping contrasts of New South Wales. Includes footage of the Great Dividing Range to Bathurst, Goulburn and Albury, through the rich grazing lands.
Marvel at Dubbo's Western Plain Zoo and discover the rare opal at Lightning Ridge. Explore the Ghost Towns and outback city of Broken Hill and admire the splendour of the Menindee Lakes in the Kinchega National Park.
Investigate the Minnamurra Rainforest and enjoy the waterfalls of the Illawarra Plateau. Explore the snowfields of the Snowy Mountains, Mt Kosciusko and traverse the Murray River from the Alpine headwaters to Lake Hume. Moving on to the Southern Coast of New South Wales and the panoramic vistas's of Jervis Bay, the famous Blow Hole at Kiama and north to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.
PLEASE NOTE: The New South Wales travel destinations outlined above are only a small selection from the tens of thousands of Australian travel information pages available on Australian Explorer. A comprehensive list of destinations for New South Wales Holidays can be found on the main New South Wales Holidays location guide.
