With many of the city’s native flowers in vibrant bloom, October is the perfect time to visit Sydney gardens.
All those pops of colour and fresh green leaves make it easy for amateur or professional photographers to share stunning snaps on Instagram.
Here are a few spots that are worth a look for their beautiful plants, unique histories and brilliant photo opportunities.
The Royal Botanic Garden
In mid-October, Sydney’s famed botanic gardens will display the work of more than 50 artisans. All are inspired by nature’s colours and forms, and are displayed amid breathtaking plants and flowers.
Now in its nineteenth year, the exhibition is a chance to get up close to more than 3000 works of art. These include sculpture, ceramics, weaving, textiles and more. So get inspired, get photographing, and share the work you love best on Instagram. Even better, all artworks are also available to buy so you can tick something off your Christmas shopping list.
Visit The Royal Botanic Garden website
Nutcote house and gardens
Nutcote House was the home of much-loved children’s author May Gibbs (1877-1969), who created Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. This Neutral Bay home was built in 1924 for her, and is now a museum showcasing her life and work, set in beautiful traditional gardens.
Visit Nutcote house website
Vaucluse House gardens
This stately house is one of Sydney’s few remaining 19th-century mansions. Wander through its original gardens and woodland, as well as a traditional English kitchen garden and a century-old wisteria vine that flowers in spring. And the gardens are always open, so you can explore them at all hours to catch the best light. Once the home of colonial explorer William Charles Wentworth, this property became a museum in 1915.
sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/vaucluse-house
The Pocket City Farms, Camperdown
This sustainable and productive urban farm is found at Camperdown Commons on what was once bowling green. It’s a great spot for both photos and grow-your-own inspiration (and you can read our blog on edible gardening here).
Now a vibrant community space where you can garden, buy some spray-free produce and learn more about organic gardening. In addition to the gardens, the street verge is also home to edible plants and an opportunity for some great street shots. And right next door is the Acre Eatery, a garden-to-plate restaurant, for coffee or brunch afterwards.
Visit Pocket City Farms website
Vertical garden by Sue Barnsley Design
This beautiful, lush vertical garden measures an impressive 377 square metres and is accessible every day for free at 1 Bligh Street. It’s a welcome oasis in the heart of Sydney. Standing nine metres high, this undulating wall, designed by landscape architect Sue Barnsley, is a wonderful place to rest your eyes on pure green. And, being Sydney, there’s a cafe right beside it so you can have a coffee, too.
Paddington Reservoir Gardens
This incredible project saw a dank old reservoir transformed into a magical sunken garden for all to enjoy. Salvaged industrial forms and artistic lighting at night makes it a wonderful place for photographers wanting to experiment with architectural photography. Hidden away, yet right in the heart of Paddington, it’s an insider’s secret. Unsurprisingly, it’s won several heritage and design awards. It’s always open, and entry is free.
251-255 Oxford Street Paddington
Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
Wendy Whiteley, the wife of artist Bretty Whitely, created this steep hillside ‘guerilla garden’ on a steep embankment on Lavender Bay on the lower North Shore. Sculptures and artwork appear amind lush plantings and a huge fig tree. To keep it ‘secret’, there is no street signage to the garden, but directions are available on the website.
Visit Wendy’s Secret Garden website
Finally, for some truly wonderful outdoor photo opportunities, don’t miss Sculpture by the Sea, which runs this year from late October to early November.
Talk to us
What are your favourite spots in Sydney for some beautiful garden photography? Send us your snaps, tag us in your photos, or let us know in the comments!
