Chinese Garden of Friendship
A pocket of total calm right in the middle of the city. Traditional Chinese landscaping, a waterfall, koi ponds and pavilions that make you forget you're two minutes from Darling Harbour. Built in 1988 as a gift from Sydney's sister city Guangzhou, and genuinely one of the most beautiful spots in the CBD.
My experience & recommendations
- Feels like you've stepped into a completely different world, even though you're smack in the middle of the city, genuinely zen.
- Not exactly a day trip on its own, but one of the best things to add onto a day in the city.
- Keep an eye out for the resident Eastern Water Dragons, big lizards that live in the garden, placid and harmless, just don't disturb them.
- $12 entry for adults, open 10am–5pm daily.
- There's a small teahouse inside if you want to sit with a tea and take it all in.
