Make the most of your time in vibrant Sydney by taking in the architecture, nature and art that makes this city so unique.
Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
Wendy Whiteley was best-known as the muse of artist husband Brett Whiteley – until she created her own living masterpiece. This botanical wonderland in picturesque Lavender Bay, overlooking Sydney Harbour, was fashioned from overgrown, unused railway land that had become a dumping ground. Today, there are no signposts to this garden that’s filled with intriguing nooks and crannies, and attracts a huge number of birds. Instead, you find the entrance simply by looking for the colossal Moreton Bay fig tree neighbouring Whiteley’s tower-topped home.
Paddington Reservoir Gardens
The Paddington Reservoir Gardens is a serene pocket of green sunken beneath busy Oxford Street, but there was a time when the reservoir served as just that, a water reservoir for a growing Sydney. Once Paddington’s main water supply, it’s now an idyllic park inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Listed as a site of state heritage significance, the Paddington Reservoir was originally constructed in two stages, completed in 1866 and 1878. The water chambers were built below street level with a grassed park above, opened to the public in the 1930’s. The operational life of the reservoir ceased in 1899 and the site was used as a workshop and garage until 1990 when roof collapses forced its closure. The eastern chamber has been conserved with new timber columns and a waterproof concrete structure over, stabilising the brickwork and forming the base for the new landscaped park above.
Fairy Bower Pool – Manly
- Fairy Bower Pool Manly is an absolutely charming and delightful little rock pool on Manly’s ocean side. Sydney’s rock pools are a pretty unique feature of the city’s coastline and they don’t come cuter and more appealing than this one, the baby of them all.
Forgotten Songs, Angel Place
Nothing screams secret spots in Sydney more than Angel Place. Make your way down a tiny stairwell off Martin Place and you’ll find this hidden alleyway filled with 180 birdcages that hold the sounds of dozens of birds. Forgotten Songs is a permanent art installation of birdcages representing the call of 50 birds that used to live in the city before the arrival of Europeans.
Queenscliff Tunnel, Manly
One to visit for those who don’t mind a bit of rock climbing, the magical Queenscliff Tunnel is a secret spot in Sydney to venture to when you’re up for a bit of an adventure. Also known as the Manly Wormhole, the Queenscliff Tunnel is a 40-metre channel through the rock of Queenscliff Head that was chiselled by fishermen hundreds of years ago. The tunnel connects Queenscliff Beach and Freshwater Beach and can be accessed via the Queenscliff Rock Pool (look for the pink graffiti heart).
Bondi to Coogee Walk
Ok, so The Bondi to Coogee Walk is OBVIOUSLY not a secret, but how could we miss it off the list? After all, it is is one of the best things to do in Sydney. It’s not just that it has incredible views of the coastline, or that it takes you past some of the best beaches in Australia, The Bondi to Coogee Walk is a pathway that’s been constructed along the coastline between Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach. It is six kilometres long but you can start anywhere and just go for as long as you want and the views are to die for the entire way.
The path takes you along the coastal cliffs with the ocean crashing against the rocks beneath, it takes you back down and past about half a dozen beaches, you’ll go through some parks, along the side of a cemetery, and there are lots of great viewpoints and photo opportunities along the way.
You can start the Bondi to Coogee Walk from anywhere – and finish anywhere along the way – Many like to stop in Bronte for a coffee or late breakfast, or take a refreshing dip at the beach at the end of your walk. If you haven’t done this walk loved by locals and tourists alike yet, this is your sign!
