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    Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden

    4.6 (27 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

    Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden

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    So beautiful!
    Roxana Q.

    Probably the best stop on my trip. The most beautiful garden with an amazing view of the harbour. This place didn't even feel like real life. If you can go when the Jacaranda's are blooming, you are in for a serious treat! I missed it by about two weeks. Not hard to find but a little off the beaten path. (Next to Luna Park basically). If the weather is nice it would be a gorgeous place to have a picnic on the grassy knoll or just sit on one of the tables or park benches in the garden. The house that Wendy lives in is right in front of the park as well as a newspaper write up on the story behind it all. I would recommend reading it. A must stop on any trip to Sydney! You won't regret it!

    Tereza B.

    Wendy Whiteley's 'Secret Garden' is nestled between Clark Park on Lavender Street and the Lavender Bay railway shunting yard. This park used to be a derelict, unruly weed infested area that was used for railway dump for surplus trains and is leased by North Sydney Council from Railcorp so it can be enjoyed as a public space. When one of Australia's most famous artists Brett Whitely died in 1992 the area was transformed by his widow Wendy into a tranquil lush enchanted haven that it is today as she channelled her grief into beautifying this land that has expansive views of Sydney Harbour. Within the park there are sculptures, herbs, Moreton Bay fig trees, romantic seating, and nature paths that criss cross or meet each other. It appears to be a private garden but it is open to the public to enjoy. The park is an ode to a lost love and has been created for all to take a moment out of the daily grind to reflect. It can also be hired for private functions, contact North Sydney Council to request a permit to use this area for your special occasion.

    James F.

    Wow! Simply wow! I was on my way to my next cafe and happened upon a set f stair that led down... and down... and almost like Alice in Wonderland, this magical little park/space appeared. Totally unexpected, this hidden area is kind of like a tardis. Just when you think it is finished, there is another bench, another grassy area, or path. This place is brilliant! If you are looking for a spot that next to no one will know about, then absolutely check this place out.

    Eugenie C.

    Thanks to another Yelp reviewer, I found out about these "secret gardens" and paid a visit on the weekend. Not so secret after all! I saw at least 10 others; turns out I was late to the party. Well maintained, lush gardens with glimpses of the harbour over the plants. Lots of plants including some tropical ones. The gardens are shady, damp and cooler than the outside air temperature. I imagine it would be more enjoyable in warmer weather. The gardens themselves aren't big but it's very steep, around 5 levels made up of narrow paths with wooden railings, joined together by with massive steps. They were hard to find, perhaps that's what made them secret!

    Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden
    Susan M.

    Peaceful, restful, fabulous expansive gardens with hidden trails and flowering nooks and crannies. Sweet sounds of birds, clanging of tack on the sailboats drown out the drone of the motorway. Bring a packed lunch. Plenty of tables dotted about, some with shade umbrellas and gazebos. A beautiful pocket to just relax and unwind.

    Harbour bridge!
    Germano M.

    This "secret garden" is located near the North Sydney St. and Luna Park. There's a footpath that leads from Luna Park to this place. It's like you are in a private garden, but is open to the public. Thanks to Yelp I could know this place! It's an unusual and calm place: first, you can avoid crowded spots and yet take a beautiful picture from Harbour Bridge; second, you'll have a different angle from any other tourist. Besides the view, you can enjoy hidden trails and the nature itself. It's perfect for lunch time or picnic at the weekends. The day I had visited this garden a wedding's session photo was happening and for sure we can't expect less about this beautiful and charmed place!!!

    Overlooking the bottom of the garden
    Martin C.

    Wendy's secret garden is a great spot to unwind. The houses along the path leading up to the garden also show character. The Standout to me was the view from the top of the gardens overlooking the back of Lunar Park, Lavender Bay and of course the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you're a garden buff there's the large Moreton Bay fig tree, Bangalore palms, flowers and shrubs, secluded paths with steps and seven tables with chairs in quiet spots. Dotted amoung the garden is an antique fountain, sculptures, an old tricycle and a rusty wheel barrow none of which look out of place...they are the product of an artist's imagination. A word of caution; being always open to the public it's not the sort of place you'd want to find yourself after dark, especially down the bottom, so time your visit. If you don't know the exact location type it into Google maps on your smart phone and it will lead you right to it (see photo).

    Zvezdana O.

    Awful place. Just horrible. Nothing to look at. A lot of common garden plants, forgettable trees and weeds opposite a rather average body of water and big metal bridge. Don't come here!

    David S.

    One again if it wasn't for the internet I would never have known this place existed. In fact it isn't even signed so I didn't realised that I had walked into it until I was literally in the middle of it. However once you are there it will slowly click that this isn't any ordinary park. Personally, I really don't know anything about the back story to this place, all I know is that apparently it is a secret garden owned, or built, by somebody named Wendy. Secret it is because, as I indicated, it isn't even sign posted so you don't realise that you have found it until you realise - hey, this doesn't look like a council park. The reason I say that is because it has been set up as if it were someone's backyard garden, so you will find a variety of seats and garden ornaments amoug a rather lush and well tended garden. What's even better is that it is actually free to enter (which is the best price as far as I'm concerned). It certainly is a place worth checking out, especially if you like gardens (though you may need to stumble around a bit until you actually find it).

    Statues hiding in the greenery!!

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    peaceful and beautiful garden in the middle of the city.

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    Review Highlights - Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden

    There is nothing finer than basking in the beauty of the gardens, looking over the Harbour and discovering gorgeous flora.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Royal Botanic Gardens

    Royal Botanic Gardens

    4.7(205 reviews)
    2.4 kmSydney

    A giant outdoors botanical garden. Free entry always, which makes this even better…read more There are many sections to this garden. Each section dedicated to plants from different parts of the world. There is also a succulent garden with species from around the world. A palm house. Giant green spaces for picnics, trails around the park and along the water for runners and walkers. Benches to rest all along the park. Let me repeat, this is a huge park. By the waterfront you have a great view of the harbor bridge as well as the opera house. There is a small visitor center, a snack bar restaurant and also a fine dining restaurant. Various tours are offered if you feel like learning more about the plants or the birds or the history. Something for every taste here.

    Upon returning from Taronga Zoo to Sydney Harbor's Circular Quay, we continued our sightseeing and…read moreexercise at the Royal Botanic Gardens, which is adjacent to the Sydney Opera House. We walked along its well-paved, well-maintained waterfront pathways and into a few of the 15 various themed areas (Australian Rain Forest, Rose Garden, The Calyx, Fernery, Palace Garden, and Australian native collection). These gardens offered stunning views, a peaceful oasis, self-guided tours, and free Wi-Fi. Also, the Royal Botanic Gardens is home to the National Herbarium of New South Wales, which plays a leading scientific role. It took us several hours to complete our walk because we stopped several times to admire the various trees, plants, and flowers in different areas, before my allergies told me to exit the gardens. But, we saw many visitors and residents, families, couples, or singles making their day in the gardens through exercise or relaxation. Along the way, we also saw several well-dressed couples staging their wedding photos with professional photographers, the gardens providing beautiful, natural backdrops. We'd love to return to complete admiring the garden grounds, but I'll make sure to take medication before going, as I didn't realize how sensitive I would be to the native plants, trees, and flowers.

    Photos
    Royal Botanic Gardens
    Royal Botanic Gardens
    Royal Botanic Gardens

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    Darling Quarter

    Darling Quarter

    4.7(11 reviews)
    3.5 kmSydney

    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.

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    Darling Quarter - Just Chillin' Reptillin'

    Just Chillin' Reptillin'

    Darling Quarter
    Darling Quarter

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    Centennial Park - Lots of birds. I believe these are the first black swans I've ever seen.

    Centennial Park

    4.3(27 reviews)
    6.6 km

    I finally got around to being able to explore this place. Well, not quite since this place is…read moremonumentally huge, and it is absolutely impossible to pretty much explore every nook and crany in the limited amount of time that was available to me, but I did get a decent chance to wander around a large part of it, and at least say that I have been to Centenial Park, or at least more than just running in there and looking for a toilet. They do have barbeque areas, and quite a few of them, but they also have lakes, and just plain old good parkland to wander around.

    Better than a hundred parks! This park is huge! It's a…read moresprawling park, full of all kinds of amenities! There's so much to see and do here- it's a fantastic park in the middle of Sydney. I rode a bike through here on the many improved trails that crisscross through this public space. Through here, there were teams practicing rugby, enough bicyclists to start a biker gang, joggers, runners, and people who were out to just take in the sunshine. As you cross through this park, you find lots of green open spaces large enough to play a full game of rugby, without running into a park bench or a tree. There's restrooms available. My favorite thing about this park is the huge stone gates at each entrance that remind you that you're entering an important public space. There's monuments throughout the park, and plenty of parking! I felt safe riding through here, just due to the sheer number of people who were out having a stroll in the park!

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    Centennial Park
    Centennial Park
    Centennial Park - Trees are precious, we need to be their voice. I love trees, trees should be respected, protected and honoured.

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    Trees are precious, we need to be their voice. I love trees, trees should be respected, protected and honoured.

    Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden - parks - Updated July 2026

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