Christine Knight, Author at Adventure, baby!

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

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Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Oatley Park: Playground, Baths, Cycling Tracks & Picnic Facilities

June 15, 2020 / Bush, Oatley, Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Southern Sydney, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Oatley Park: Playground, Baths, Cycling Tracks & Picnic Facilities

Oatley Park is a 45-hectare bushland reserve on the northern side of the Georges River. It is bounded by the Georges River, Lime Kiln Bay, and Jew Fish Bay. Oatley Park features an inclusive adventure playground, a netted swimming bath, short, easy bush walking tracks, picnic areas and other free amenities for the local community to enjoy.

The park was created on the headland in 1887, and over the years has been upgraded to create a spot for locals to enjoy recreational sports, cycling, walking, swimming and playing.

Navigating Oatley Park

There is a one-way driving loop around the park that is shared by cars, cyclists and pedestrians. The maximum speed of the road is 20km/h. Free all-day car parking is available

Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

The Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground is an adventure playground designed to blend into its bush setting, incorporating nature-based play elements and built with predominantly natural materials.

The Oatley Park Adventure playground design incorporates community feedback and ideas and follows the NSW Government’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ inclusive play space guidelines to create accessible play elements for children of all abilities in over 80 per cent of the playground.

Read more about the Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground.

Oatley Park Bird Life

There have been 145 species of birds recorded in the bushland of Oatley Park, including its tidal mud flaps, mangroves and Lime Kiln wetlands. We spotted a huge amount of sulfur-crested cockatoos but keep your eyes peeled for the many other species that live in this sanctuary.

Websters and Hills Peak Lookouts

The lookouts are accessed by the road (you can pull your car over and hop out to take a look) and feature stunning views over Jew Fish Bay and Lime Kiln Bay.

Oatley Castle

Oatley Castle is a surprising feature of Oatley Park. Built around 1935, the castle was created as a kind of “beach house” that would resemble an old British castle, give views over Oatley Bay and become an attraction for visitors to enjoy.

The castle is accessed by walking/cycling from the playground, or driving. There is a car park next to the base of the castle for easy access, and a ramp from the base of the castle to top for wheelchairs/strollers.

Oatley Castle has bbq facilities inside it and can be hired for events.

Oatley Park Walking Tracks

Oatley Park features seven walking tracks of varying length and difficulty, and a 2km cycling/driving/walking loop on paved road in a shared car/bike/pedestrian zone. The road is one direction only, so if you overshoot a spot where you want to park/turn off, you will need to keep driving around the loop and return to the spot again. There is a maximum speed of 20km/h around the park.

The Myra Wall Garden has a wheelchair accessible bushwalking path.

You can read about the walking trail options here.

Sandy Bay – Oatley Park Baths – Jew Fish Bay Baths

On the easterly section of the headland is Jew Fish Bay. Featuring a 320m long shark-proof net, the bay is home to an area called Sandy Bay, featuring Oatley Park Baths / Jew Fish Bay Baths. Oatley Baths was constructed in 1909 and has been the home of the Oatley Amateur Swimming Club since 1927. A popular swimming spot in warmer months, the baths feature one of only a few suspended net enclosures in Sydney, and are one of only two baths/pools in the region to be formed by enclosing a natural shoreline.

The water is a bit muddy when shallow, but is a calm, serene place to swim, with stunning views over the Georges River. The original change rooms are still in operation on the site of the baths.

To reach the baths, drive down to the carpark and walk the rest of the way. There is a ramp and stairs to access the baths.

Myra Wall Garden

The circular Myra Wall Garden was constructed in 1964 to honour a local conservationist. Parking is beside the garden which is located 300m on the left from the main entrance, along
the main road.

Oatley Park – Important Information

There are no direct public transport links to the park. It is a 1.7km walk from Oatley Station. The 954 bus service from Oatley Station drops you 700 metres from the entry to Oatley Park.

Entry to the park via Oatley Park Avenue is narrow and means that often, only one car at a time can pass through. AVOID entry and exit to the park during school drop off and pick up. You can also drive in via Douglas Haig St.

There is a car park at the playground. If this is full, try Myra Wall Garden, Frog Hollows and the Oval – they function as overflow carparks.

The park closes at sunset and the vehicle gates are locked. Make sure if you have driven in, to leave before the gates are locked as there is a fee to retrieve your car.

There are free BBQ and picnic facilities available throughout the park, including next to the playground.

Oatley Park
1 Dame Mary Gilmore Drive, Oatley NSW
Get Directions

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Visiting Captain Cook’s Landing Place At Kamay Botany Bay National Park Kurnell

June 10, 2020 / Historical Sydney, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Visiting Captain Cook’s Landing Place At Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell

Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Kurnell is the landing place of the HMS Endeavour, and place of first contact between the local Aboriginal people, Captain Cook and the ship’s crew.

It is one of NSW’s most significant heritage sites, and was included in the National Heritage List in 2004.

There are many reasons to visit Kamay Botany Bay National Park, from exploring the history of the peninsula to leisure activities.

The Kurnell Visitor Centre is currently closed for renovations, but would usually be the best place to start a visit and learn about local Aboriginal culture and history, including encounters with the crew of HMS Endeavour in 1770.

Burrawang Walk

To understand the historical events that took place here, take the Burrawang Walk, a paved path that leads to several of the area’s historic sites, including Captain Cook’s Landing Place.

The walk starts at the Kurnell Visitor Centre. It is a 1.2km loop and takes anywhere from 15 – 45min. A large section of this walk is paved and wheelchair-accessible, however the last section that leads to the new whale sculpture is not.

The Burrawang Walk tells the story of the first meeting of European and Aboriginal culture. During one section of the walk there is a a soundscape featuring Aboriginal language, children laughing and clap sticks.

The walk leads visitors past many of the historical sites on the peninsula, including the welcome wall, freshwater stream, the meeting place, Banks’ Memorial, Ferry Shelter Shed and Captain Cook’s Landing Place.

There are interpretive signs along the walk that explain the significance of the sites and perspective of both the Aboriginal tribes and European ship’s crew, including the first impressions both had, and the deep misunderstanding between the two cultures from the very start.

In 1770, Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook, along with botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander and the crew of the HMS Endeavour, landed at Botany Bay’s Inscription Point. He and his crew stayed in the area for eight days.

Cook and Banks recommended Botany Bay as a suitable site for settlement, however upon inspection by Captain Arthur Phillip it was found unsuitable as it had no secure fresh water or suitable anchorage, resulting in the selection of Sydney Cove to set up a penal colony instead.

There were Aboriginal people of two different nations living in the area at the time – the Goorawal People and the Gweagal People. Their way of life, responses to the landing and consequences following the invasion have been included in the interpretive signs on display. There are several significant historical Aboriginal sites throughout Kamay Botany Bay National Park including middens and engravings.

Read about an Aboriginal perspective to the landing here.

Find an Aboriginal perspective on James Cook and educational material for school kids here.

250th anniversary and sculpture installation

2020 marked the 250th anniversary of the encounter between Aboriginal Australians and the crew the HMB Endeavour on 29 April 1770. Three large bronze sculptures of significance to the Gweagal Aboriginal People were installed along the walk to acknowledge the anniversary, designed and created by Aboriginal artists Julie Squires, Theresa Ardler and Alison Page.

The works include both Aboriginal and European viewpoints of the arrival of the Endeavour.

Julie Squires and Theresa Ardler’s work ‘Wi-Yanga and Gurung The Whales’ are based on Ardler’s painting on her Budbili, a possum skin cloak. “The story behind my Budbili is connected to the Sydney rock engravings of the mother humpback whale and her baby, out at La Perouse on the shores of Botany Bay. This engraving is a prominent landmark from my ancestors who carved the rock and continues to hold cultural and spiritual connection to our sea and country.”

A Rock Weave was also installed near the whales; a woven fishing net was hand made by Aboriginal Master Weaver Phyllis Stewart and cast into bronze by sculptor Julie Squires.

The ‘Nuwi/Canoes’ represent stringy bark canoes that the the Gweagal Clan traditionally fished from. “During their ‘first contact’ observations, both Cook and Banks recorded this practice,” explained Ardler.

Alison Page with Nik Lachacjzak designed ‘Eyes of the Land and Water’. The work is an “abstraction of the ribs of the HMB Endeavour and the bones of the Gweagal totem the whale”. Working closely with researchers at the Gujaga Foundation and Gweagal artist, Shane Youngberry, Page and Lachacjzak developed cultural and historical content which was etched into each rib, including a description of the encounters at Kamay in 1770.

“The Eyes of the Land and the Sea’ is a story about discovery. Not the discovery of land by England, but of all Australians discovering our true history as we move together towards a reconciled Nation,” explained Page.

Read more about the mixed response to the anniversary commemoration here.

Whale watching

Kurnell is an excellent spot for whale watching between June and July. Drive from the visitor centre to the Cape Solander viewing platform to watch the whale migration.

Water activities

Inscription Point and Sutherland Point are popular spots for diving and snorkelling.

Rock pools

Just past the whale sculpture are some incredible rock pools to explore.

Bush walks

Try the Banks-Solander track and Cape Baily track for a longer walk. There are plenty of native birds to be spotted.

Picnics

Commemoration Flat picnic area , near the Kurnell Visitor Centre, is a beautiful grassy spot, perfect for family gatherings.

Bathrooms

There are brand new bathroom facilities available in the park.

Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Cape Solander Dr, Kurnell NSW
Hours: 7am–7.30pm August to May. 7am–5.30pm June to July.
Park entry fees: $8 per vehicle per day (in the Kurnell area only). The park has coin-operated pay and display machines – please bring correct coins. The park also has credit card accepting payment facilities. There is also free street parking outside the park.
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

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Mandarin Picking at Watkins Family Farm Wisemans Ferry

June 10, 2020 / Australia, Hawksbury, NSW, Travel, Wisemans Ferry / 0 comment

Mandarin Picking at Watkins Family Farm Wisemans Ferry

Pick your own mandarins in the crisp country air at Watkins Family Farm, in Wisemans Ferry, NSW.

Watkins Family Farm is a family-owned business, the land being granted to James Watkins in 1867, and farmed by the next seven generations.

The end of autumn / beginning of winter marks the start of mandarin picking season at Watkins Family Farm.

With over 2000 fruit trees to pick your own fruit from and farm animals to meet and feed, a visit to Watkins Family Farm is an excellent outing for all ages.

Watkins Family Farm Wisemans Ferry — Chicken shed

Note: During COVID-19 the farm animals are not available and there are no picnics permitted on the property. Visitors are asked to responsibly comply with social distancing rules and maintain 1.5m distance from others.

The farm specialises in mandarins: juicy imperial and hickson mandarins are on offer each season for picking.

We were surprised at how popular the farm was and how many people were there on the day we visited. A lot of the low-hanging mandarins had already been picked, but we found trees with fruit that was within the reach of our child when we walked right to the very back of the farm to the last rows.

Tips for visiting Watkins Family Farm

The farm is cash only.

There is no mobile phone reception on the farm.

Wear shoes appropriate for mud and dirt.

Arrive before opening for the best experience. 9:45am at the latest. If you plan to arrive at the farm after 11am you will find it hard to get a parking spot and enter the farm.

Each adult must buy a bucket – $10 for a small bucket or $15 for a large one.

You may not take any bags into the farm, including handbags that are large enough to fit anything larger than a wallet.

The only toilet facilities are portaloos – use the bathrooms in Wisemans Ferry beforehand if you have the time.

Watkins Family Farm
1006 Singleton Road, Laughtondale
Hours: 10am-4pm
https://watkinsfamilyfarm.com.au/

More things to do in Sydney

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The Undara Experience: Lava Tubes, Micro-Bats and Sleeping in Trains

June 2, 2020 / Australia, Cairns, Queensland, Travel, Tropical North Queensland / 0 comment

The Undara Experience

Venture into Outback Australia with the Undara Experience, in Tropical North Queensland. Explore the oldest lava tubes on the planet, sleep in refurbished train carriages and enjoy bush walks surrounded by wildlife.

Located 260km south-west of Cairns (or a 3.5 hour drive), the Undara Experience is located in the Undara National Park, a private enterprise operated by the Collins family, the earliest white settlers in this locality whose cattle have grazed in the area since 1862.

The Undara Experience was created to showcase the lava tubes located on the Collins’ family property in 1987, protecting the formations for future generations by developing a sustainable visitor experience.

Visitors to Undara can stay on the property in a range of accomodations that suit all budgets and preferences. To see the lava tubes, visitors must book into a tour, which ensures the numbers passing through the tubes are kept to a sustainable number and keep the ecological impact to a minimum.

Like many visitors to Undara, we arrived at the property in the early afternoon to check into our accommodation. We stayed in the rail carriage rooms, which are all restored turn-of-the-century Queensland Railway Carriages.

For a truly unique experience, the rail carriages cannot be beat.

There is a swimming pool on the property for some cooling down and several bush walks to take if you are after some exercise and wildlife spotting. We saw plenty of wildlife around the swimming pool as well as in the bush.

The star attraction is, of course, the lava tubes, which are 190 million years old. Over 300 roof collapses have been detected from the air, which should equal 300 caves – however only 69 have been discovered, and leaving the majority as yet unexplored. David Attenborough, upon visiting Undara, proclaimed it to be one of the most unexplored geological features on earth.

Tours at the Undara Experience

There are three tours offered by the Undara Experience, of which we enjoyed two – the Big Sky Sunset Iconic Australian Wildlife and Archway Explorer Lava Tube Tour.

Big Sky Sunset Iconic Australian Wildlife

This tour takes visitors by mini bus through the bush to enjoy the sunset over the bush with sparkling wine and cheese and a highly knowledgable guide to point out the iconic wildlife easily spotted along the way, as well as the history of the land. We saw plenty of pretty face/ whip tail kangaroos, eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies and wallaroos as they came out at dusk.

After the sunset, visitors are taken to the mouth of a lava tube to witness one of the most memorable experiences imaginable – thousands of tiny insect-eating micro-bats emerge from the darkness to find food. Waiting for them at the entrance are pythons and brown tree snakes hoping to catch a meal. Up to half a million micro-bats swarm out of the tubes each night to hunt for insect, returning at dawn.

Archway Explorer Lava Tube Tour

This is the the ultimate tour of Undara’s lava tubes. It’s takes two hours to complete and runs from mid-March to October – bookings essential. The tour picks up visitors in a mini bus and drives them to the lava tubes, through the arid, red landscape into the lush rainforest that has grown out of the mouths of the lava tubes.

Each tour visits up to three sections of lava tubes, which are easily accessible however do contain staircases that need to be descended and ascended again. An accessible lava tube with a chair lift is available for those who cannot use stairs.

The Archway Explorer Lava Tube Tour was an experience was breathtaking. There was something very “Indiana Jones” about descending down into the lava tubes through a collapsed roof, where a lush forrest of greenery has sprung up, and greeted by swarms of tiny Common Australian crow butterflies and yellow greasies butterflies. Birds, insects, butterflies that live in the collapsed section can be found nowhere else in the region.

Wind Tunnel Explorer

This tour takes two hours to complete and runs between April and September. A tour for the adventurous, it allows visitors to explore the lava tubes in their rawest form – by scrambling over rocks with less infrastructure. Expect uneven surfaces, not suitable for children under five.

Families at Undara

Kids are very welcome at Undara. Lover of trains, caves and wildlife all find their way to this magical place and enjoy its wildness. While there are no specific family tours, the guides tailor their talks to the visitors present.

Food at Undara

There is a restaurant in the main settlement serving dinner each night. The food is hearty and wholesome and a welcome end to the day.

Breakfast is served over campfire, a traditional billy tea with a choice of hot and cold food.

Where to stay at Undara

There are several options for staying on the property.

Railway Carriage Accommodation

Stay in a beautifully restored railway carriage. Each carriage has its own bathroom. There is an accessible carriage available.

Pioneer Huts Accommodation

The pioneer huts are modern cabins each with their own bathroom, private verandah and air conditioning.

Swags Tent Village Accommodation

Glamp in the bush in one of these large, permanent tents, which are close to a central amenities block. There is an undercover camp kitchen available for use with hot and cold water, free gas barbecue, fridge, gas hot plates, picnic tables and chairs.

Safari Shelter

The large campground area is perfect for groups with their own tents, vans and motor homes. It has a separate amenities block available, access for mobility impaired guests and a dedicated undercover camp kitchen with hot and cold water, free gas barbecue, picnic tables and a private campfire.

Motorhome, Caravan Park and Camping

There are 11 drive-up camp sites (tents, small vehicles and camper trailers), 38 powered van sites (22 drive-through, 16 reverse-in) and 26 un-powered van sites available in this are, with individual campfire pits/barbecues on some sites and firewood available for purchase. This section of the property is surrounded by bush, and located close to amenities blocks.

Find more things to do in and around Cairns.

Undara Experience
Undara Volcanic Park, Savannah Way QLD
undara.com.au

I was hosted during my time at Undara by Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Get more info on things to do in Queensland here.

Explore Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park

May 28, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park

Walk, cycle or run through 40 hectares of parklands featuring wetlands, meadows, playgrounds and picnic areas at Bicentennial Park.

Bicentennial Park is located inside Sydney Olympic Park, a 40-hectare park combining the Badu Mangroves wetlands with beautifully landscaped parklands with gentle hills, meadows and a large lake.

We have been visiting the park for years, and love how much space there is to explore inside the park, with monuments, boardwalks, wildlife and playgrounds to occupy us.

Tips for visiting Bicentennial Park

BYO bike and cycle the many smooth trails throughout the park.

Hire a bike if you don’t own your own from the bike hire next to WatervieW.

Climb to the top of the Treillage Tower for beautiful views of the wetlands, Homebush Bay and the city in the distance.

Visit in autumn for gorgeous fall colours.

Parking on weekends is tricky so arrive early. It is, however free but not all-day.

Bring a picnic or BBQ lunch and blanket to sit on the grass and enjoy the serenity.

There is a cafe at WatervieW serving coffee, cakes, breakfast and other light meals.

Take the boardwalk through the mangroves.

Dogs are welcome! They must be on-leash at all times except for the one designated off-leash area near P5a car park off Hill Road.

Take the kids to one of the two playgrounds. The playground next to WatervieW features a Liberty Swing.

Also in the area:

Check out nearby Brickpit Ring Walk, Wentworth Common, nearby Blaxland Riverside Playground and the Olympic Cauldron in Cathy Freeman Park. Or, take a dip in the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Scoot or bike around the Newington Armory.

Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park
Australia Ave, Sydney Olympic Park
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
https://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/parks/bicentennial-park
Get Directions.

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Auburn Botanic Gardens Sydney

May 23, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Auburn Botanic Gardens Sydney

The delightfully zen Auburn Botanic Gardens are located in Auburn, in South-West Sydney. Established in 1977, the gardens are surprisingly tucked away in a suburban pocket between rows of houses. Spread over 9.7 hectares, the gardens are a serene place to enjoy nature.

The Auburn Botanical Gardens are broken into several distinct sections.

Japanese Garden

The most well-known is the Japanese garden, which a row of cherry blossom trees that blossom each spring, torii gates, a red bridge, waterfall and lake. The koi carp fish in the lake are beautiful, and when we visited there was a large cluster of peacocks, swans and ducks around the lake.

Fauna Reserve

Native animals such as kangaroos, wombats, wallabies and emus live in this nicely spread out nature reserve. Animal feedings take place daily (please don’t feed the animals yourself).

Sunken Rose Garden

This lovely area blooms in October and November.

Reflection Pool

The tree-lined pool is a haven for the many wild birds who live in the gardens, including peacocks and swans. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn.

Scented Garden

This part of the gardens smells amazing. It’s primarily used as an event space eg for weddings.

Equal Access Playground

Built in between the beautiful trees, the playground feature lots of accessible features including a liberty swing, maze and interactive play structure.

Australian Native and Rainforest Gardens

Set around a stunning billabong, these gardens are beautiful to wander through.

Things to know about visiting Auburn Botanic Gardens

Entry is $4 per person. Children under 16 free and residents of Cumberland Council are free.

The garden is largely accessibly for strollers and wheelchairs.

Picnics are allowed.

There are picnic tables and bbq facilities located outside the gardens near the carpark, with a toilet block and playground.

Free parking is available in the carpark outside the gardens.

There is no cafe inside the gardens to BYO food and drinks.

Auburn Botanic Gardens Sydney
Chisholm Rd &, Chiswick Rd, Auburn
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm.
During daylight saving time, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-6pm.
cumberland.nsw.gov.au/auburn-botanic-gardens

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Newmarket Dining Randwick: Eat, Play and Unwind

May 22, 2020 / Eastern Suburbs, Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Randwick, Sydney, Sydney Food, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Newmarket Dining Randwick: Eat, Play and Unwind

Sydney’s newest precinct, Newmarket Dining is a place to eat at cosy cafes and restaurants, picnic in the park and play at a state-of-the-art playground.

Officially opened in 2020, Newmarket Randwick was built on a site containing plenty of local history. The original inhabitants were thought to be the Cadigal and Biddigal Aboriginal people. In 1809, the land was granted to an ex-convict named Andrew Byrne, before becoming part of Randwick’s horse racing story. William Inglis & Son, Australia’s largest and oldest racehorse auctioneer, took over the site from 1917 – 2017, transforming it into the Newmarket Sales yard.

Some of Australia’s most famous horses paraded the sales yard, which has now been transformed into a children’s playground, and scenes from the movie Phar Lap were filmed in the Newmarket Big Stable, which is in the process of being resorted for use by the community.

Surrounded by a ring of shiny new apartments, the Newmarket Dining precinct at Newmarket Randwick has opened with Baccomatto Osteria, an Italian restaurant, RaRa Randwick, a Japanese diner, Cali Press, makers of seasonal salad bowls, Café Mckenzie, serving speciality coffee and a Middle Eastern menu in a family-friendly environment.

The outdoor space at Newmarket Randwick is designed to encourage community engagement, with space for picnics, BBQs and a brand new playground with lots of inclusive elements.

One challenge we noticed on our visit was that the bathrooms were locked and not generally accessible, so keep that in mind when visiting that if you need to use a toilet you will need to ask one of the shops/cafes for a key.

The easiest way to reach Newmarket is by public transport as parking in the area is a challenge. To use public transport, take the light rail or bus. The nearest light rail stops are UNSW High Street and Randwick.

Newmarket Randwick
154 Barker St, Randwick
https://newmarketrandwick.com.au/

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Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

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A visit to Wildwood Garden Bilpin, Blue Mountains Sydney

May 20, 2020 / Australia, Bilpin, Blue Mountains, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

A visit to Wildwood Garden Bilpin Blue Mountains Sydney

Enjoy seasonal colours in the fresh mountain at at Wildwood Garden, a privately-owned cool climate garden in the Blue Mountains, 90 minutes drive west of Sydney.

Wildwood Garden was created over 38 years by Wayne and Sue Tapping. Located in Blipin, on the fringe of the Blue Mountains and deep in apple country, the garden has a glorious collection of plants which are stunning to behold throughout the year.

Currently the garden is only open each Saturday and Sunday between May 16 and June 7. Its final opening day before winter closure is Monday, June 8. During this time, the garden, cafe and shop will all be open in line with current Covid-19 restrictions. The garden will reopen in spring.

The garden features a waterfall, fairy grove and dragon den, lots of well-placed statues to discover, topiary animals, and plenty of seasonal in colour.

During autumn, the garden is alight with deciduous trees and shrubs change from green to red, orange and yellow. Spring brings a cheery walk which is in peak flower mid-September, a fragrant daphne hedge, and plenty of shrubs, climbers, bulbs and perennials bursting into bloom. WIldwood Garden is home to 600 camellia varieties, which bloom through late winter and spring. Summer brings roses and perennials to bloom.

Wildwood Garden is beautifully landscaped with wide gravel paths, which are suitable for some strollers and wheelchairs with bigger wheels.

The onsite cafe is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a stunning view of the gardens below with a coffee, cake or lunch. No kids’ menu, however plenty of the items are suitable for kids.

There is also a gift shop and nursery to check out before leaving.

Wildwood Garden
29 Powells Rd, Bilpin NSW
0417 042 460
wildwoodgarden.com.au

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.