Hyde Park, New South Wales

Located in Sydney's central business district is Australia's oldest park- Hyde Park. It has well-kept gardens and a mixture of approximately  580 trees. These large leafy trees give shades to park goers. There are lots of benches as well for people to rest and just enjoy the greeneries. There is wide lush grass area where you can see people sitting and soaking in the sun.  

The main avenue is lined with fig trees. It is wide enough to accommodate runners and park strollers.

 There are interesting structures and monuments that can be found at the park and around the park.

The ANZAC War Memorial  was built in remembrance of Australians who served in the war. This remarkable art deco architecture has a pool in front which they called Pool of Reflection.  It is located at the southend of the park.

 
The centerpiece of the park -the Archibald Fountain  was designed by François Sicard and completed in 1932. It has sculpted bronze figure of Apollo surrounded by  mythical creatures, horses’ heads, dolphins with spectacular spray  of waters.  It is one of the most photographed sites in Sydney.

Walking distance from Archibald's Fountain on the eastside is St Mary's Cathedral .It is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney and the mother diocese of Australia. It's architecture is gothic style.

 There is also an Obelisk which is civic monument installed in the park in 1857. It is facing Bathurst Street and  is irreverently known as George Thornton's scent bottle. It is actually an air vent for the underground sewer, cleverly disguised as a replica of Cleopatra's Needle.

Sydney Tower can also be seen from the park.

Standing near the corner of Park and College streets on the northeastern section is a statue of Captain James Cook, the English explorer of Australia's east coast. The statue was erected in 1879 to mark his death centenary.

Other random pictures taken at Hyde Park

Hyde Park is very accessible and free.Public toilets are provided. One can reach the park via Museum and St James train stations which are beneath the park or you can take your pick of many bus routes.