The Best Places To See Autumn Leaves in Sydney & New South Wales 2024
Autumn is settling over Sydney once again. It's time to ditch the beach for a different kind of beauty. It's a magical time to walk outside and take in the foliage exploding with golds, oranges, yellows, and reds. If you're on the lookout for the best places to soak up the autumnal atmosphere, we've got you covered. From sprawling parks to charming gardens, Sydney has plenty of spots to satisfy your colour chasing desires. Pack a thermos, grab your camera, and get ready to enjoy autumn's stunning show.
Sydney's autumn may just be the best season of the year. The season brings with it crisper air, colourful Japanese maples, rich golden elms, comfortable knits, and comforting foods. Sydney's autumn is also just warm enough to spend extended periods of time outside, before the chilly winter weather arrives. Youngsters (and kids at heart!) will love the sensory experience of all those golden leaves crunching underfoot.
Get set to savour the luscious hues of orange, brown, mustard, and other colours. Here are all our favourite sites to see autumn leaves in Sydney and New South Wales, including fall expansive private gardens, idyllic picnic areas, and breathtaking national parks – so book your GoGet and GoGet out there.
The Best Spots for Autumn Colours in Sydney & Beyond
Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
The Royal Botanic Gardens are the ideal location to visit whenever you want to see flowers in bloom. But when the grounds are covered in colour post-summer, it is just as lovely. Discover a wide range of domestic and foreign plants here. After exploring the city, it's the ideal spot to pause and rest. Pack a picnic, pick a spot and take in the explosion of colour. And enjoy the trees of the Royal Botanic Garden putting on magnificent seasonal displays. Particular favourites are the Ginkgo, which have stunning autumnal golden leaves and Sydney is a great place for these hardy, old trees to grow. There are also several maple trees in the HSBC Oriental Garden, which consistently put on a stunning show of fall colour.
Centennial Park, Sydney
The huge Centennial Park is located east of the city and it’s here that you'll find a rainbow of colours and a floor covered with leaves on the duck pond's southern side. Both the vivid Lasiandra tree and the Tibouchina's vibrant colours that surround the parklands are a beautiful sight at this time of year. You can recognise them by their full bursts of purple blossoms in the fall. Fearnley Grounds provides great amenities for families, including food, bicycles, cycle paths, and restrooms, to name just a few. Kids can also take part in a tonne of entertaining activities and workshops as part of their Autumn Program.
Auburn Botanic Gardens, Auburn
It’s a darn tragedy that the Auburn Botanic Gardens are not better known. It’s a hidden gem that’s well worth knowing about. Just 20 minutes from the CBD, these 9.2 hectares of gardens are accessible every day for a nominal entrance fee of $4 to $5 for adults and free for children and Auburn residents. During autumn make sure to stop by the Japanese Garden for it’s beautiful autumn hues. The Auburn Botanic Gardens is a terrific area for kids to explore and discover rainforest critters, a cheery swagman at the billabong, and encounter kangaroos, wallabies, and emus in the Fauna Reserve. A bird aviary and lakes filled with ducks and fish add to the delights. You’ll also find an accesible playground and picnic area with BBQs on site.
Breenhold Gardens, Mount Wilson, Blue Mountains
One favourite autumnal spot to visit near Sydney is Breenhold Gardens, which is located in Mount Wilson, Blue Mountains. Given how stunning Mount Wilson is, it's no surprise that it frequently serves as the backdrop for Hollywood productions like The Great Gatsby. If you're searching for fall leaves in and around Sydney, this is the Blue Mountains treasure that deserves to be top of your list. Given that it’s one of NSW's most stunning locations to see autumn leaves it’s no surprise that it’s become something of an Instagram sensation too. One of Australia's largest privately held garden estates, it is only accessible to the public in autumn and spring, though it is available all year-round for special events like weddings and photo sessions. For $15, you can spend the entire day at the garden taking in the breathtaking scenery and vibrant autumnal hues as you explore its 45 hectares.
The beautiful Breenhold Gardens as the leaves start to turn gold
Camellia Gardens, Caringbah South
The Camellia Gardens, which are near Caringbah and overlook the lovely Yowie Bay, are especially breathtaking in the autumn when the camellia blossoms are in bloom. The Camellia Gardens have been the go-to location for locals to view a globally recognised collection of more than 400 species of camellia for almost fifty years. Immerse yourself in the energising environment, where rare decorative and indigenous plants bloom along the guided walks in the fall and winter. Practice saying the scientific names of the plants, such as the autumn-flowering Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica, before you go. Before feeding the ducks, have a picnic or treat yourself to refreshments in the Teahouse. Breakfast, lunch, high tea, and Devonshire tea (highly recommended by the GoGet team!) are all served in the lovely Camellia Gardens Teahouse, which has a view of the gardens.
Mayfield Garden, Oberon
If you're looking for a true autumnal escape, head to Mayfield Garden in Oberon. This magnificent 65-hectare private garden is one of the largest and most impressive cool-climate gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Each autumn, it transforms into a breathtaking display of red, orange, and yellow, making it a must-visit for any Sydney's autumn foliage enthusiasts. And Mayfield Garden isn't just about the leaves – explore its 15-hectare water garden, lose yourself in Australia's biggest maze, or visit the Family Chapel. For a complete experience, why not indulge in the garden restaurant's regional dining or even try their luxurious glamping option during spring, autumn, and summer festivals.
Wahroonga Park, Wahroonga
Wahroonga Park is yet another delightful autumn haven, especially for those who appreciate the vibrant display of liquid ambers. Their hand-sized leaves flutter gently to the ground in a tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. The park's history adds to its charm. It was established in the early to mid-20th century with the help of generous donations and labour of local residents. This small yet cherished park offers a unique escape for North Shore families and autumn foliage enthusiasts alike. Near Wahroonga Station, swathes of azaleas explode into stunning shades of red as the season progresses.
Cattai National Park, Hawkesbury River Region
Unwind amidst a fiery autumn tapestry at Cattai National Park, which can be found northwest of Windsor. As you enter the park, follow the road down to the Hawkesbury River where a carpet of crimson, gold, and amber leaves awaits. The banks, ablaze with autumn foliage, transform the river into a breathtaking kaleidoscope of Autumn colour. Spot plane and maple trees boasting shades ranging from deep reds to vibrant yellows.
Looking for adventure? Cattai National Park caters to families with older children. Enjoy waterskiing, wakeboarding, or canoeing on the bank of the Hawkesbury. Explore dedicated bike trails, or pitch a tent for a memorable family camping trip under a canopy of autumn leaves (campground availability may vary, so make sure to check the park website). Don't forget to keep an eye out for resident ducks and kangaroos, we spotted heaps of these!
Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Mount Tomah
One of the best areas in New South Wales to enjoy autumn colours is the Blue Mountains because of their cold environment. The Botanic Gardens in Mount Tomah, through April and May, is an absolute must-see for tourists since it has a variety of trees from cool temperate climates all over the world. The area for running and playing, as well as all the winding, secret trails that lead to secluded areas of the garden, is a hit with the kids and plant lovers alike. Take in the beautiful spectacle as trees are lit up in red, orange, and gold. For extra-special exhibits, also check out the Plant Explorers Walk, Brunet Garden, Formal Garden, and the trees close to the Visitor Centre.
Southern Highlands, New South Wales
Another fantastic place to see seasonal colours is in the Southern Highlands. Discover the autumnal beauty of New South Wales between March and May and enjoy burnished valleys, golden vines, and parklands covered with red maple leaves. Due to the fact that many of the deciduous trees were planted in the late 1800s in an effort to give Bowral a more English appearance, Bit really comes alive with autumn colour. The oaks on Station Street and the deciduous trees and shrubs at Buskers End at St. Clair Street put on an amazing display in the autumn that is well worth the trip. This charming area, located 90 minutes by car south-west of Sydney, is renowned for its old-world elegance, formal garden estates, and rural homes. One of the busiest travel seasons is autumn, when charming heritage villages burst with colour. Take a stroll through the Corbett Gardens and Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens in Bowral. And if you’re in the area, check out our GoGet guide for a weekend getaway in Bowral.
Orange, New South Wales
If you love the autumn season, it would be difficult to find a town that captures the essence more perfectly than Orange. The town's red and orange (surprise!) hues, as well as all the oak and maple sightings, all combine to make it a great place for an Autumn getaway. A visit to one of its vineyards and a trek to Mount Canobolas are highly advised along the approximately 3-hour drive from Sydney. Discover the autumnal beauty of New South Wales between March and May to see stunning hues line the landscape. Orange is the place to be for streets of ash, oak, and maple. It is known as the "colour city" for its vibrant sights and golden poplars. Find out more about what to do on a weekend away on Orange here.
Blue Mountains National Park
Sydneysiders are fortunate to live so near to the Blue Mountains. The heritage location offers a breathtaking getaway from the city throughout the entire year. However, autumn is the best time to see how brightly coloured all the small villages become. It takes just about 90 minutes to drive to the Blue Mountains National Park, and much of the way is bordered with colourful deciduous trees and bushes. To make the most of your time there, it’s best to drive from town to town. The Blue Mountains have something for everyone, from Leura and Blackheath to Wentworth Falls and Mt. Wilson, and an autumn festival tops it all off. We strongly advise stopping off at the Wild Wood Garden for your autumn Instagram photos.
Bathurst, New South Wales
Autumn is when Bathurst truly comes to life with a riot of colour. We're talking about intense reds, blazing yellows, and brilliant oranges all around the city. Make time to take part in the town's history-celebrating Autumn Colours programme or simply stroll along the peaceful streets that are bordered by gardens and trees. Bathurst's Autumn Colours programme, which runs from March to May, features a variety of activities like tours, walks, and talks because they know a good thing when they see it.
For more stunning scenery, check out the best picnic spots in Sydney, Sydney’s best hidden gems and the best day trips near Sydney.
