Wendy's Secret Garden

Wendy's Secret Garden is indeed secret and elusive - it took us two tries before we finally found it! There are no signages to the garden and it is basically accessible only to those in the know. Once you get there, you will understand why the locals want to keep it a secret. Ssh!

The garden was created by Wendy Whiteley after the death of her husband, Brett Whiteley in 1992. (Brett was one of Sydney's favourite artists who has won many prestigious art prizes in Australia.) Wendy transformed the once derelict green space into a beautiful garden and secluded picnic spot. Today, the garden is a small haven of herbs, tree ferns, palms and fig trees with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House as a backdrop. There are a few interesting items or antiquities like statues, old scooter, rusty wheelbarrow scattered around the garden which adds to its charm. Even the local birds like the parrots, gulls, kookaburras and wagtails love the spot!









A few sets of tables and chairs can be found around the garden or under shady trees for picnics. The nearest toilet to the garden is just a short walk away. At the end of the garden, you go up a set of stairs (as pictured in the top left hand photo on this blog), turn left and then go down another set of steps under the bridge and towards the water. The toilet can be seen just after the bridge.

______________________________________________________


VENUE: Wendy's Secret Garden, near Clark Park, Lavender Street, Lavender Bay. Lavender Bay is part of the Lower North Shore suburbs and is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD. The Garden is nestled between Clark Park on Lavender Street and the Lavender Bay rail shunting yard. If you are coming from Clark Park, just look for a set of stairs that go downwards and leads to the garden. Or go down the set of stairs on Walker Street (next to the Indian Harbourside Restaurant on Lavender Street) and Wendy's Secret Garden is about halfway down the stairs on the left.

TIME: Always open

GETTING THERE: If driving there, there is meter parking on Lavender Street or Harbourview Crescent (next to the Kirribilli Club). Or you can catch a train and alight at the North Sydney train station which is within walking distance to the garden.

ENTRY FEE: Free