Oh the rolling hills of Prince Alfred, may you soon become beautiful and complete…read more Right now, Prince Alfred is a bit filled with constructiony stuff, a bit muddy, and generally just a place to pass through on the way to somewhere else. BUT - City of Sydney Council are certainly working on it. They've got cycle-maintenance stands, interactive artworks, rather fetching play equipment and green, lush grass. They're sexing up the tennis court office place, which is apparently a heritage building. This park is a good spot for a weekend BBQ, and has a large set of busy tennis courts, as well as a few basketball courts, though you'll have to involve yourself in a play-off in order to get some use of the latter. The Strawberry Hills end of the park has a "native reserve" presumably for native plants, although right now there are just seem to be big fig trees and patches of longer grass. I have a few issues with the placement of the walking paths in this park, as I don't think they properly echo the "desire paths" of pedestrians. (When I say pedestrians I probably just mean "me", but there it is.) The result is -- I often end up walking through the "native reserve" and getting wet and muddy, rather than staying on the path. I am already anticipating updating this review in mid-2012, which is when the fancy new Prince Alfred Park pool is opened, or so they say....

Prince Alfred Park has felt a little incomplete since the demolition of the swimming pool in 2009,…read morebut Sydney City assures that the general population will be able to the enjoy the new improved pool in early 2012. With an advanced temperature control system and filter, a splash pool for toddlers, and lush greenery surrounding both the pool and sunbathing areas, it shouldn't fall short of impressive. But there are other reasons to love Prince Albert Park, even as we anxiously await the renovation completions. Are you a fitness buff? The park's jogging path isn't massive (you've have to loop like a hamster in a wheel to get any sizable sweat), but there are several workout stations with pull up and push up bars. Each circuit comes with instructions so you'll know exactly how to get that burn. And what about for the little ones? Apparently the kids attractions are still being worked on, but for now, you can make use of the swings and teeter-tooter. Otherwise, bring your sun blanket, bring some meat for the barbie (public BBQs available), or bring your racket for a match on the tennis courts and I'm sure Price Alfred will cater to a lovely afternoon. If not, stop back by in early 2012 and you might feel differently.

This is a little oasis, especially on a weekday. The netball courts are a good place for little…read moreones to ride bikes. There is a fenced off playground and an off leash dog area. Plenty of seating and picnic areas for lunch too.

You'd be hard put to build a 9-hole golf course in the CBD; this is probably the closest you'll…read moreever get - off the northern end of the Harbour Bridge and turn right (well, nearly). Fitting golf around work is never easy and so swinging in somewhere quite so convenient on the the way in or out is a good option. The course itself is reasonable - quite short, but hills that provide some added challenge and a notable water feature on the 6th. Some of the greens are a bit furry and the bunkers could do with some high-tide sand wash, but this is a public course and you're only paying $19 for the privilege. To reach the Clubhouse, you have to navigate a back lane off Park Avenue, and the carpark is squeezy at the best of times. The Pro-shop sells all the necessities, and lots of kids learn their fairway basics on the practice area across the ninth hole (yep, be careful here). Above the Pro-shop club rooms and a function centre are blessed with terrific views across the northern suburbs - especially beautiful at night when the lights are on.

Cammeray is the Augusta National of Sydney…read more Most of its contemporaries are scrubby courses fighting off the encroach of native bushland where any ball hit off-fairway is as lost as lost can be, yet Cammeray boasts long, hilly, beautifully trimmed fairways, silken greens and friendly trees. Some of the holes aren't so much holes as they are sylvan glades; I half expect some of the trees to start talking Ent-style on several of them. The first hole is a doozy . . . right in front of the clubhouse with everyone watching you, you tee off from an eagle's eyrie high up in the sky with the fairway stretching out below you like a magic carpet. Don't duff the tee shot else all the members will laugh at you. With that said, if you nail it and it sails straight and true up into the stratosphere, you can hold your backswing in place while a chorus of appreciative sea-lion grumbles of approval roll over you from the peanut gallery. Man that's a good feeling.

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.

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 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.

Bowlings a funny sport. You think you're going to really enjoy it, then you get on the green and…read moreafter bowling about 3 balls you think "well, that was fun, now let's just drink". So yes, it can get a bit boring, seeing as it's not the most fast paced of activities - hence why it's generally played by the elder generation - but it does help if you're in a decent location to play and I don't think you can do much better than Clovelly Bowling Club when it comes to that. Basically, it's set right on the edge of the cliff, so much so that if there was a landslide in the area, I probably wouldn't be heading down there for a game the next day. The view is magnificent, which helps when the game gets a bit dull, and who doesn't like drinking with a view!? The beer selection is limited, but has the standard ones at decent bowlo prices, while there are gas BBQs next to the greens, which you're free to use. So we did. Ball rental is included in the price of the game (although to be honest, I can't remember how much that was!). So if you're planning some bowls-based party, give this place a go - although you may want to check the weather forecast first, I imagine bad weather would be rather unforgiving up there!

The view is obviously spectacular. I've only been lawn bowling at one other club, so I have little…read moreto compare it to. However, they are very serious at Clovelly and have lots of rules to protect the turf, even though the turf is brown anyway. For some reason their balls are only dark brown and black, so it was very difficult to tell who was winning. At the time we were there (a Saturday afternoon) there were no food options to accompany the alcohol they serve. I won't go out of my way to come back here, but might come back if I were in the area already.

The finest club on the North Shore besting Avondale and Pymble with ease. Always in magnificent…read morecondition with an A grade championship layout that will test the better players. Parkland in style the trees and gardens are absolutely spectacular, albeit troublesome for those who spray it a bit. A reminder of the Scot's definition of trees - "bunkers in the sky". Food and service both excellent and the clubhouse is a great spot for a quiet one after a round - watch the poor buggers climb the 18th fairway. The members are relaxed and friendly. Worth noting as you will need to know one to get on - unless you want to pay a million dollars and play on a trade day. BTW- no check ins here, phones are strictly infra dig. alriteifuinsistimamemba.

- well maintained lawn - Golf carts available…read more- Club house with impressive view of the green - Expansive and panoramic views from the club's deck - plenty of events are hosted here. Functions are a possibility - very traditional style club - golf course is challenging with its many hills - the club also offers other sports such as tennis, bowls, billiards and squash - facilities are available to members and guests - everything is kept in very good condition - lots of variety throughout the golf course - definitely a must for avid golfers