Visit Hyde Park: Sydney on a Budget

Located in the heart of Sydney, Hyde Park is a beautiful spot for walking, resting, enjoying lunch with friends, and more. Summertime in Sydney is between December and February and is also one of the best times to walk through Hyde Park. One of the best parts of Hyde Park is that you can enjoy every moment without spending a dime. Hyde Park is undoubtedly one of the best stops in Sydney when you are on a budget. Below are a few reasons why.

About Hyde Park

Hyde Park, named after Hyde Park in London, England, is Australia’s oldest and original public parkland. Compared to Melbourne’s Royal Park (450 acres) and New York’s Central Park (840 acres), Australia’s Hyde Park is much smaller at only 40 acres. Even so, the park is home to 580 exotic and native trees, providing a scenic landscape and plenty of shade on hot and sunny days. There are also public toilets throughout the park, which is convenient for visitors.

Archibald Memorial Fountain

French sculptor Francois Sicard created the Archibald Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park North. It was funded by J. F. Archibald and was built to commemorate Australia and France’s association in World War I. This Art Deco statue and fountain is 18 meters in diameter and has a large hexagon shape. The fountain’s center features the mythical Apollo and is beautiful to visit during the day or at night. St. Mary’s Cathedral can be seen as well.

ANZAC Memorial

Another place to stop in Hyde Park is the ANZAC Memorial and Pool of Reflection in Hyde Park South, close to Liverpool Street. ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This memorial was established to honor the Australian Imperial Force during WWI and officially opened in 1934. This is one of the many places photographers flock to at Hyde Park.

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Sandringham Garden

The Sandringham Memorial Garden and Fountain were built in 1954 to memorialize King George V and King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II unlocked the memorial gates.  Sculptor Lyndon Raymond Dadswell and architect Henry Epstein were behind the memorial gates, fountain, and garden design and creation. This bronze-patterned memorial and fountain is another spectacle while walking through Hyde Park.

Nagoya Garden

For some fun (and free) Hyde Park fun, visitors can play a game of giant chess at the Nagoya Garden in Hyde Park North. This garden came together to celebrate the relationship between Sydney and Nagoya (Japan). This garden features stone lanterns, various plants, a plum tree, and more. If you want to play a giant chess game, it is available daily between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. You should arrive early if you want to get to the board first. After your round, there are some fantastic Hyde Park restaurants nearby. Be sure to check them out!

Hills Weeping Figs

One of the most beautiful scenes in Hyde Park is the lined Fig trees. Within Hyde Park are various fig trees, including 98 Hills Weeping Figs. Break out your phone or camera for fantastic photo opportunities here—free of charge! As seen in the photo above, the Hills Weeping Figs are breathtaking at night too. These unique trees run from St James Road to Park Street to the Pool of Reflection (where the ANZAC Memorial Building is).

Sydney Festival

Hyde Park has a slew of events throughout the year that visitors can attend for free. The Sydney Festival is one of them and has been an annual gathering since 1977. For 21 days in January, the community can come to Hyde Park to watch various shows, including cabaret, live theatre, comedy acts, and more. Show lineups can be viewed ahead of time on the Sydney Festival website.

Hyde Park Cafe

If you want to take a break and grab a bite to eat, the Hyde Park Barracks Cafe is the place to go. Not only is it conveniently located in Hyde Park, but this cafe also offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks. Food prices are not cheap, but they are relatively low too. Given that your day trip to Hyde Park is free, spending money at the Hyde Park Cafe is a good deal, even on a budget. 

Cook + Philip Park

Cook + Philip Park is less than half a mile from Hyde Park, making it another great go-to spot if you are on a budget. Visitors can let their dogs run off-leash in designated grass areas, and there is a basketball hoop and a children’s playground. The Cook + Philip Park Pool is a popular spot for indoor swimming. There is also a fitness center for exercising or jumping into a fitness class. Both the pool and fitness center are reasonably priced for daily admission. 

As you can see, Hyde Park in Sydney is a great place to stop and walk around if you are on a budget. Within its 40 acres, there is plenty to see between various memorials, fountains, gardens, and significant trees. Shaded areas and benches are the perfect places to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. If you’d rather eat out, the Hyde Park Cafe is conveniently located and offers delicious yet reasonably priced meals. Are you not done yet? Head nearby to Cook + Philip Park for even more things to do! 

Have you been to Hyde Park in Sydney before? If so, what was your favorite thing to see or do?