Named after its iconic British namesake, Hyde Park is a haven of parkland amongst Sydney’s bustling CBD. The urban jungles of Martin Place and surrounds give way to 16.2-hectares of greenery, with botanists estimating that the park is home to more than 580 trees.
Its majestic fig tree-lined avenues are world famous, with sprawling green lawns as the perfect place to unpack an impromptu picnic, or simply soak up the Sydney sunshine. As the oldest public parkland in Australia, Hyde Park is brimming with history. The Archibald Fountain lies at the heart of it all, a WWI memorial that was designed by French sculptor François-Léon Sicard in 1932. To the north the Nagoya Gardens hosts a giant outdoor chess board, with the southern end anchored by the towering ANZAC memorial and 'Lake of Reflections.'
The park is an easy walk from all corners of the CBD and is also linked by plenty of public transport options. Museum and St James train stations both lie beneath the park, with several bust routes calling at stops to the north, south, east and west borders. For adventurous visitors, hiring a bicycle is a great way to explore the park on wheels.
For those in search of something beyond the park’s lush greenery, its boundaries are home to a host of sights and attractions. To the north lie the Supreme Court of New South Wales, St. James Church and Hyde Park Barracks, while the east houses St Mary's Cathedral and the Australian Museum.