Royal Botanic Gardens.....

Few people realise that the Gardens represent the oldest scientific institution in Australia. A great favourite with Sydneysiders at weekends, the Royal Botanic Gardens combine relaxation and natural beauty with their uniquely attractive harbourside site.

Plant specimens collected by Joseph Banks, botanist on Captain Cook's 1770 voyage, are on show, together with over a million other specimens, in the National Herbarium of New South Wales. The Gardens are open every day from 6.30am until sunset. Free guided walks are available at the Visitor Centre, which also features an excellent horticultural and gardening bookshop. The Gardens are perfect for a weekend or weekday stroll, for a picnic - or for lunch in their restaurant. For further information telephone 9231 8111.

Hyde Park.....

A welcome oasis of grass, greenery and fascinating fountains right in the heart of Sydney. There's a chess-playersı corner and the War Memorial to visit. Always open, though not ideal after dark. Bordered by College and Elizabeth Sts. St James and Museum Railway Stations are right on the park.

Botany Bay National Park.....

The twin parks of Kurnell and La Perouse combine to mark the birthplace of our nation, where Captain Cook landed in 1770 and the French explorer, La Perouse arrived a mere six days later. On the Bay's southern headland, see Cook's landing place; on the northern shore you'll find the La Perouse Museum; and nearby the Aboriginal Art Gallery.

Ph: Discovery Centre on 9668 9111.

Centennial Park.....

Where people from all over Sydney enjoy walking, jogging, cycling, rollerblading, picnicking - even horseriding. Coffee, afternoon tea or lunch are available in the excellent restaurant. Open from sunrise to sunset. Off Oxford St, Woollahra.

Catch 380 bus up Oxford St from Circular Quay.

The Domain.....

This open parkland faces the Art Gallery of NSW, and provides many City workers with a pleasant lunchtime - even a place for lunchtime sport - and a lovely picnic setting. The Domain provides a nice walking route to the Art Gallery from the City. Off Art Gallery Rd and behind Macquarie St., Sydney Explorer stop 6.

Chinese Garden.....

A truly tranquil spot has been created, right on the edge of our bustling city, with the largest traditional Chinese garden outside China itself.

Based in age-old layout from the 5th century the garden was designed by leading landscape architects from Guangdon Province.

Inside it creates a world of beauty and quiet reflection, and on the outside, its tall pavilion has become a new Sydney landmark. Next to Darling Harbour.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.....

This great reserve extends from the upper suburbs of Sydney's North Shore through to Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.

It offers many recreation options - swimming and boating - scenic bushwalking trails, including paved tracks for the disabled - Aboriginal rock carvings - and great views.

The Basin provides overnight camping and can be accessed by car, from the northside inland, or by ferry across Pittwater from Palm Beach. For more information phone 9457 1049

Sydney Harbour National Park.....

Bush walks, beaches and Aboriginal engravings beside the harbour.

Open everyday - and free of course.

Mount Annan Botanic Garden.....

Out in Sydney's south-western suburbs at Narellan is this magnificent native garden, the largest botanical property in Australia.

The flora are exclusively Australian and feature many rare and endangered species. Ph: (02) 4646 2477.