The Blue and Green Spaces of Sydney

Varsha Pherwani on 27 January 2018
Sydney, the cosmopolitan city of Australia is a perfect blend of architecture and nature no wonder making it one of the most livable and beautiful cities in the world. We escaped the sweltering temperatures of Dubai in the summer of 2017 and headed down under to enjoy the cool that it offers during these months. The average temperature in Sydney can be anywhere between 13-15 degrees during the day in the winter months. Our main agenda for this holiday was to relax, take in the nature's bounty while our little one was kept entertained. We loved our time in Sydney as it offers the infrastructure of a modern city and also the blue and green spaces to recharge and rejuvenate your senses. I would like to recommend some of these beautiful scenic locations that you must definitely visit whilst in Sydney.

1. Royal Botanical Gardens: Situated in the heart of Sydney right adjacent to the Sydney Opera House, this is one of the most visited attractions in Sydney. Pack a picnic and spend the day in the lush greenery around you with stunning views of the city skyline along the walkway. Enjoy the flora and fauna and spot the many bird species. Your little ones are sure to enjoy the mini train guided tour of the gardens or stroll round at your leisure.

2. Bondi to Coogee Walk: No trip to Sydney is complete without the scenic walk from Bondi to Coogee. The coastal stretch from Bondi to Coogee will take you around two hours so make sure you wear comfy shoes, bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and fully charged camera for some great photo opportunities. Bondi is located in Sydney's eastern suburbs and is a most popular beach for the locals and surfers.

3. Children's Playground at Darling Harbour: A must visit if you are travelling with children. This playground is equipped with water fun activities designed with mechanisms that work with cause and effect to keep the curious minds engaged for hours. Make sure to pack ample change of clothes and a towel.

4. Centennial Parklands: Absolute heaven on Earth!! Home to many bird species this park is divided into many areas to enjoy various activities. Get a bike rental, pack a picnic, get together for a barbecue, rollerblade, bird watch, go on a self guided walk or go horse riding the options are limitless. Don't forget to pack a loaf of bread for the ducks and the birds in the lake. Its a place for the locals to hangout with their families on the weekends.

5. Watsons Bay: This Scenic Bay is located around 11kms away from the city in the Woollahra district. Due to its location on the South Head peninsula you can enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline atop the ocean cliff which is known as the Gap that overlooks the pacific sea. People often go whale spotting on the Gap and is a popular place amongst the locals for their morning runs or walks. Watsons bay is known for its seafood restaurants and tea gardens. Grab a bag of fish and chips or dine al fresco in one of the restaurants along the bay with the stunning views of the harbor.

6. Manly Beach: One of the many reasons you want to go to Manly Beach is that you get a chance to enjoy the scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay that takes you around the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. We went playground hopping along the way from Manly to shelly beach. Manly Beach is a popular destination for surfers and locals who enjoy snorkelling underwater the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.

Whilst there are so many things and paid attractions to do in Sydney that can leave you overwhelmed these are some of the trails we explored and thoroughly enjoyed as a family.