Isn’t a secret garden anymore! While in Sydney in April we visited, on a smokey (thanks to controlled burn offs in the Blue Mountains I think) overcast day. It was quite beautiful. Lots of little nooks and crannies where you could sit and larger parts with tables and chairs where you could picnic. Lovely views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the harbour. Although not great on this day. Here are some pictures to give a feel for the place. Well worth a visit.
This is the Whitely house – with information about the garden which you can’t read! Striking sculpture on the right.
And from another angle, showing the tower and balcony.
Narrow pathways; with plants overhanging; including these lovely grasses.
Lots of steps and stairs. Would be treacherous in the wet. Fortunately dry this day.
Some stairs no longer accessible.
Handrails made out of tree branches – making the garden blend in beautifully.
A rough hewn fence separating a picnic area overlooking the water.
Sculptures interspersed throughout. Some quirky numbers like this one.
And a little darker.
Are these little nymphs – or should that be putti?
This modern piece, Head by Joel Elenberg, is in a prominent place.
Wonderful views. Would be great on a clear day with blue skies. This is the bridge and Luna Park.
This picnic table overlooks a place where boats are moored.
The bridge with the city in the background and boats on the water.
And seen through the lush green foliage of the garden.
Here’s a magnificent moreton bay fig near the entrance, and as you can see, near the house.
Lots of flowers. I really loved these things. There’s one in Tait Street near home but it never looks as good as these ones. Here’s one of the many fully grown bushes.
A close up – there were lots of these all around the garden.
And even closer – getting arty now. The bushes were so big you often walked under the blooms. I don’t know what they are called.
Just one more picture – I was fascinated by the shapes and colours.
Lots of greenery, including tree ferns – as big as those in Tassie (not quite).
And these familiar plants – with plenty of room to grow.
Bursts of colour midst the green. These golden banksias.
And this pink tropical number.
Here’s one of the picnic places.
And in conclusion here’s the visitor enjoying everything about this wonderful place.
Agree completely. A beautiful spot – that looks and feels cinematic. Above the garden was green lawn; people celebrating birthdays, get togethers – with large inflated balloons – wedding preparations – including and arch and across the water a canvas like view of Sydney. Nooks and crannies. It is also the day that we learn you can just use your credit card to pay on public transport in Sydney! Well that simplifies things.