When you line up the Chinese Garden against the awesome free playground that’s Tumbalong Park it’s hard to give it a HOT. It’s pleasant enough but not really that exciting and you have to pay $6 per adult and $3 per child over 4 years to enter.
Lady AB enjoyed the Chinese Garden though so maybe it should get a ‘lukewarm’ on the blog.
She enjoyed trotting along the stone pathways, exploring the waterfalls and particularly watching the ducks and fish in the large ornamental lake and throwing coins into the wishing pond.
The paths aren’t really suitable for prams and you can’t access the top of the small hill with the miniature pagoda, though you can still wheel around some flatter areas around the pond.
The Chinese Garden is a tranquil space that provides lots of opportunities for beautiful photographic backdrops. We saw a kids birthday party being held there which seemed like a great idea (there are function rooms available for hire) and older kids may gain something from learning about the Chinese history and philosophy behind the gardens. If we’d had more time we may have stopped in the garden’s Chinese Teahouse for some refreshments (which I’m told are actually quite good).
However, I think you’re better off saving your time and money and visiting Tumbalong Park and the rest of Darling Harbour instead.
Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Daily from 9.30am to 5pm excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Adults $6
Children (under 12 yrs) $3
Family (2 adults & 2 children) $15
Concession (Australian pensioners and students only) $3
Audio Tour (English and Mandarin) $4
