Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sydney's Best: Parks and Reserves
Sydney is almost completely surrounded
by national parks and intact bushland.
There are also a number of national parks
and reserves within Greater Sydney itself.
Here, the visitor can gain some idea of how
the landscape looked before the arrival of
European settlers. The city parks, too, are
filled with plant and animal life. The more
formal plantings of both native and exotic
species are countered by the indigenous
birds and animals that have adapted and
made the urban environment their home.
One of the highlights of a trip to Sydney is the
huge variety of birds to be seen, from large
birds of prey such as sea eagles and
kites, to the shyer species such
as wrens and tiny finches.
Flannel
flower
Garigal National Park
Rainforest and moist gullies
provide shelter for superb
lyrebirds and sugar gliders.
North Arm Walk
In spring, grevilleas
and flannel flowers
bloom profusely on
this foreshore walk.
Lane Cove National Park
The open eucalypt forest is
dotted with grass trees, as
well as fine stands of red
and blue gums. The rosella,
a type of parrot, is common.
Hyde Park
Situated on the edge of the
city centre, the park provides
a peaceful respite from the hec-
tic streets. The native iris is just
one of the plants found in
the lush gardens. The
sacred ibis, a water
bird, is often seen.
Bicentennial Park
Situated at Homebush Bay on the
Parramatta River, the park features
a mangrove habitat. It attracts many
water birds, including pelicans.
