Parks in Sydney facts for kids

A fig-lined avenue in Hyde Park, Sydney

The Domain

Sydney is well endowed with open spaces and has many natural areas. Many of these exist even within the compact city centre. These include the Chinese Garden of Friendship and Hyde Park (which is named after London's Hyde Park). The metropolitan area contains several national parks, including the Royal National Park, the second oldest national park in the world (after Yellowstone National Park), which occupies an area of 132 square kilometres (51 sq mi; 13,200 ha; 33,000 acres). Completing Sydney's wide array of green spaces, the leader is the Royal Botanical Gardens, with its large amount of green spaces, lush plants and colourful flowers.

Although Sydney developed organically after the arrival of the First Fleet, the city parks and open spaces were a part of early town planning to provide relief from the bustle and monotony of the city streets. Hyde Park is the oldest park in the city.

"Lover's Walk", Hyde Park, circa 1912.

Largest parks in Sydney metropolitan area

1. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, 15400 hectares
2. Royal National Park, 13200 hectares
3. Western Sydney Parklands, 5,280 hectares
4. Heathcote National Park, 2250 hectares
5. Garigal National Park, 2200 hectares
6. Lane Cove National Park, 600 hectares
7. Sydney Harbour National Park, 411 hectares (comprising 10 smaller parks)
8. Georges River National Park, 340 hectares

Largest parks in the City of Sydney area

1. Centennial Park, 189 hectares
2. Moore Park, 115 hectares
3. Sydney Park, 45 hectares
4. The Domain, 34 hectares
5. Royal Botanic Gardens, 30 hectares

Parks and Reserves

The following is an incomplete list of parks and reserves in Sydney:

Images for kids

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  Centennial Park

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  250px|Queen's Park