They say some of the best months to visit Sydney is in Autumn. Where warm days meet mild nights and at times, all you need is a light sweater in the evenings. Just before winter rolls around, we present you 5 best places to see the autumn leaves in Sydney. So if you’re planning an upcoming trip to the New South Wales, here’s where to snap your shot for the ‘gram.
Lauded as the ‘colour city’ thanks to its vivid sights and golden poplars, Orange is the place to be for streets of ash, oak and maple. Every autumn, swathes of gold and bronze poplars line the streets – making it one of the best places to enjoy autumn leaves in Sydney. An excellent food and wine centre with a thriving gourmet restaurant scene too, don’t miss out on the chance to go on a wine tour while you’re there.
Orange is easily accessible via a daily train service or a comfortable 3.5 hour drive away.
Australia’s oldest botanic garden is also flooded with leafy pathways filled with plentiful reds, oranges and yellows come autumn. Throughout the year, there’s lots to see too with seasonal tours of the featured plants in the garden and guided tours such as the Royal Botanic Garden’s aboriginal heritage tour digging deep into heritage and giving you the chance to hear stories about the Cadigal people.
Travelling here is a breeze, too, with easy access via buses and trains around the city centre.
Speaking of autumn foliage, you can’t miss the Blue Mountains. It’s one of the best getaway spots to soak in all the maples. The Botanic Gardens in Mount Tomah is one where you’re sure to catch great sightings of the maple hues. If you’re driving up, be sure to check out Leura, the Wentworth Falls and Mount Wilson. These are the spots to hit, although on Blue Mountains itself it’s hard to miss the chance to see autumn leaves around each corner during its peak month of May.
Best of all, this must-visit place for capturing fall colours is only a 1.5 hour drive away from Sydney.
A mere 20 minutes from the CBD and a lesser known hideout to get your maple-leaves fix, the Auburn Botanic Gardens lights up in the autumn with the Autumn Colours Festival that happens every late May. With enchanted mazes, fairy face painters and even a guided walking tour through the Japanese gardens, you and your family will be spoilt for choice and lingering to stay longer within the gardens.
The Auburn Botanic Gardens is open from 9am – 5pm during autumn.
Once declared by colonial Australian politician Sir Henry Parkes as “one of the grandest adornments of Australia”, the Centennial Park is inspired by the Victorian era, with vast open gardens, broad parklands, and statues dotting the greenery. Lots of empty benches and a view of the setting sun from the lake make it a leisurely place to enjoy the autumn leaves. If you’re looking for more to do, the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre right next door lets you try horse-riding through the park.
Centennial Park is open from 6.30am – 5.30pm in autumn and is situated next to Moore Park.