Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden - Your Guide to a Tranquil Escape

Why You Should Visit

• A Serene Escape: You'll find a beautiful place of tranquility and quiet enjoyment, a perfect haven for those seeking a peaceful escape from the city. Even visiting in the rain can be particularly delightful.
• Hidden Gem with Incredible Views: The location offers an amazingly beautiful place to chill out and enjoy nature in the heart of Sydney. You can expect incredible views over the Harbour Bridge. Be aware that the real surprise lies in walking down the stairs to the tunnel for a unique angle to view the bridge.
• Easy Access: The garden is easily accessible via public transport, such as walking from Milsons Point Train station or Milsons Point Wharf by ferry through Lavender Bay.
• Multiple Entrances & Areas to Explore: There are multiple entrances, so you can't miss it. The garden has a lot of different paths and various areas of the garden to explore, including a herb patch on the top, far eastern side. You'll discover many little nooks and crannies where you can sit and relax.
• Year-Round Experience: Every season provides a different experience. You'll find flowering plants that bloom at various times of the year, as well as sculptures throughout the garden. The vibe may be quite different in spring.
• Picnic & Relaxation Friendly: Shoppers can expect seats along the walkways and at the bottom of the garden, plus tables and seats. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic rugs or enjoy a book or lunch.
• Well-Maintained and Beautifully Kept: For a public space maintained by locals, the garden is remarkably well-kept. The Moreton Bay figs conceal the true size of this Sydney gem.
• Dog-Friendly and Great for Walking: The location is dog-friendly, and the walk to and from the garden offers a peaceful, well-maintained, and clean experience, especially if you walk to Luna Park.
• Historical Significance: The garden is in front of a house that Brett Whitely lived in.
• A Range of Features: You'll encounter interesting old bric-a-brac placed in the garden, potentially providing a unique photo opportunity, and there are paths that reveal striking sculptures ranging from fine works to rustic pieces.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Limited Accessibility: Be aware that the garden has slopes and stairs, making it not wheelchair or pram friendly.
• Gloomy Atmosphere: The garden can be a bit gloomy.
• Parking Challenges: While the garden is in a superb location, parking can be a bit of a pain. Street parking is possible, but can be limited. Parking on Harbourview Crescent may provide up to 1 hour of parking.
• Potential for Crowds: While the garden is not typically crowded, you may bump into couples doing wedding shoots or hiring a section of the garden for a garden wedding.
• Table and Chair Maintenance: Be aware that the chair and table arrangements could be better maintained.
• Limited Shade in Some Areas: The garden has shady spots, but is also an area with slopes, and may not have shade everywhere.
• Overweight Bush Turkeys: You'll encounter overweight bush turkeys.
• Potential for Limited Picnic Space: While picnic tables are available, the actual picnic spaces could be limited based on the number of other visitors and events taking place.