The bright blue courts in between the main road and the harbour means that an actual street number…read moreis unnecessary for Lyne Park Tennis Centre, you can't exactly miss them! Home to 6 all-weather, synthetic grass (aka astro) courts - 5 of which are in blue and one was resurfaced in a "Wimbledon" look, in other words, it's now green - means that you can play tennis in any weather, which is great if it's hammering down and you MUST have a hit! They also have floodlights, so no more blaming the fading light for missing the ball. One weather aspect that can cause a few issues with my otherwise "flawless" game, is the wind that comes off the harbour! It can play havoc with a rally! Although not sure that's any excuse for it hitting the bottom of the net (especially when you're playing with the wind!). The centre runs all the usual kids courses and tuition sessions, so if you're looking for a bit of coaching, then this is another option! And now for the money bit: CASUAL HIRE Mon - Fri 7am to 5pm: $25 per hour Mon - Fri 5pm to 10pm: $30 per hour Sat, Sun, public holiday's all times: $30 per hour You can also permanently hire courts - I imagine that's useful if you've got a regular group of you who get together and play, not just because you have a deep desire to have your own tennis court. Bookings can be made online or over the phone, or you may just be able to turn up if you're playing during a week day, but I wouldn't risk it at the weekend!

Lyne Park Tennis is the place that I first got a summer job, whilst I was in School, one afternoon…read morea week I would come and restock their fridges for $15. It was not as a tennis coach as I wished, but it was close enough to the action, and kept me going back. Now-a-days, it's a great place to go for a quick game, if you remember to book in advance. Either that, or if you're or someone you know is learning, it's a great after-school style tennis training, with very capable coaches. Keep in mind that they have tennis camp style coaching during the school holidays, which is a great place for the kids to mingle with other likeminded tennis enthusiasts. Mums, they also have a great little cafe that sticks out the side of the tennis courts, perfect for a quick coffee or even a family sit down lunch onlooking into the park. They serve great coffee, and a healthy range of vegetarian options for breakfast.

This pool is great- the staff are grand and the water is warm in winter and refreshing in summer!…read moreAlways crystal clear and clean. Really safe venue and nice to go to. They have swimming lessons and a small gym

We just recently became patrons with our little girl who takes swim lessons there…read more The quality of the lessons are superb. We've been to different pools, but here suddenly she flourishes in the pool. The pool is quite modern, with an indoor slide and a little adventure world for the little ones. There is an outdoor pool, everything is still pretty new and clean. At time you can't find parking at their car park, which is frustrating as street parking is rare. The only downside is the staff. Arrogant pushy unfriendly girls working at the reception and the school. I nearly slapped one little tart who came and started to tell me off about something she got wrong. Not sure where they take their attitude and confident from that this is how you talk to clients. Thus my 2 star rating. The clientele is made up of Chinese, Indians and Caucasians. So don't expect a fistfight. Last not least. The coffee shop seems to be serving Caucasians first. So depending if you like that sort of behaviour, could be good or bad.

Spending a Friday watching schools play each other in cricket. There are plenty of wooden seats but…read moreit is better to bring your own. Parking can be difficult. Goodness knows what it is like during the weekend. The most disappointing is the number of dog walkers with multiple dogs (6-7) as there is no way they pick up all the poos. The single dog walkers pickup but there were plenty of jobbies planted in the outfield and ignored as they were attending to the other dogs in their care.

Ack! Head . . . exploding with . . . schoolboy . . . nostalgia…read more Hiya Primrose Park. I remember you from my school sport days. How many years ago was that? Oh, look, it doesn't really matter, does it? I mean, who's counting? Oh. You are. Well, tough titties, because I'm not telling. The ol' knees are a bit stiffer than I remember though, especially after a day of cricket (during which I starred with the ball and picked up 3 wickets *cough*). Your pitches are still on the small side. There's still that funky canal down the back that's haunted by the ghosts of thousands of rugby, soccer and cricket balls long since lost back there. That big brick damn thing down the far end hasn't changed. Nor has your sparkling waterfront. Lots more dogs than I remember though. And you seem, I don't know, sunnier somehow. More youthful and appealing than I remember. Botox? No, I just thought .... you know what, don't worry, you look great is all. I'm coming back to lie under your gum trees on the gentle slope facing the water with my dog. Let's not leave it so long again, huh?

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...

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.

Nestled against Edwards Park in Concord, Greenlees Tennis Centre is a small establishment offering…read morecheap, healthy, outdoor fun. There are four synthetic courts on offer, and generally, at least one, if not all the courts will be available. If you don't want to risk it, you could always call before you arrive to book a court. The owners are very welcoming and friendly. Unlike many tennis courts I've been to, Greenlees will not make you buy new tennis balls if you forget to bring your own. They gladly lend out balls for free, and rackets for a small fee. The courts are located across from Massey Park Golf Course, and within walking distance of public transport and Majors Bay Rd.

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.

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.