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Centennial Park
A 220 hectare park in the centre of Sydney that was dedicated to the people
of people of Sydney in 1888. Watch the guys on roller blades, horse riding, running
or join in, bikes and roller blades can be hired. The gardens, ponds and
BBQ areas provide for a relaxing break from the city buildings. Located at
Oxford street, Paddington.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Designed in 1988 to symbolise the friendship between China and Australia. The garden features a courtyard of welcoming fragrance; dragon wall; water pavilion of lotus fragrance;
pavilions set amongst bamboo, the Gurr a hexagonal two storey building; rock forest and dragon rock. The garden was designed to use the four elements of water, plant, stone and architecture. Located at the south end of Darling Harbour. Take the train to Town Hall or Central Station; monorail to the Entertainment Centre; Sydney Explorer Bus to the Entertainment Centre or the ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour (02 9240 8888).
Cook and Philip
Park
Across College
Street from Hyde Park
has a formal garden and
swimming complex. Located
at College Street (02 9326 0444).
Hyde Park
Named after
Hyde Park in London,
this area was declared
a park as early as 1792
and Australia’s
first recorded cricket
match was played here
in 1804. Located at
Elizabeth Street. Take the train to St. James or Museum or Sydney Explorer,
Stop 7 (02 9265 9333).
Royal Botanic
Gardens
The gardens
were established in 1816
and cover thirty hectares.
They are the oldest scientific
institution in Australia.
Free guided tours last
45 minutes and run every
morning at 10:30. The
meeting place is at the
Visitors Centre on Mrs.
Macquarie’s Road
which is also the entrance.
Take
the train or bus to Circular
Quay or Sydney Explorer,
Stop 5. (02 9231 8111).
Sydney Olympic Park
Built on former waste land, including an abandoned abattoir, the home of the 2000 Olympic Games, seventeen kilometres west of the centre of Sydney, may be visited, with public transport available by ferry as well as by rail or bus. There is an Information Centre, which is a good starting point, and there is an Olympic Explorer bus service. Listen Live is a self guided audio tour with lot of information about the Sydney Olympic Games. Bicycles can be hired to explore park.
Visit Stadium Australia, as used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, and the athletics and other events. There are several other stadium, as well as hotels, restaurants and sporting facilities. The Games Trail tour celebrates the games and you can see the cauldron, wander amongst the interactive poles at the Games Memories installation and follow Cathy Freeman's strides to Olympic Gold.
There is plenty of fun to be had at the Sydney Olympic Park with a monster skatepark, parklands, golf, tennis, trapeze, archery, swimming and to relax use one of the many bars and cafes on site.
A Superpass is available which includes tours of both Stadium Australia and the International Aquatic Centre, as well as the view from the top of Novotel and a swim at the Aquatic Centre. If you purchase the Olympic Explorer bus ticket, you will get discounts on the individual tour prices (but not on the Superpass). If you travel by ferry from Circular Quay, there is a combined return ferry plus Olympic Explorer ticket offering discounts on the tours. Full details on what's on the recorded number 1300 889 388 or call 02 9714 7888. Take the Sydney ferry from Circular Quay to Homebush Bay. Train to Olympic Park (usually changing trains at Lidcombe).
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