Spring is almost here, and Sydney is about to get a lot more colourful. The first signs of the season are already appearing across the city, with cherry blossoms bringing splashes of pink and white to gardens, parks and streets. These delicate blooms typically emerge from late winter into spring, transforming pockets of the city for just a few weeks before disappearing again. You don’t need to travel far to find them either, with cherry trees dotted across Sydney and some particularly impressive displays waiting a little further afield in NSW. From Japanese-inspired gardens to tree-lined streets and sprawling botanical gardens, here are some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in and around Sydney this season.
1. Auburn Botanic Gardens, Auburn
Auburn Botanic Gardens puts on Sydney’s most spectacular cherry blossom display — and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than 200 trees filling the Japanese Garden with shades of pink each August. The winding paths, traditional bridges and landscaped gardens make it an especially photogenic spot when the trees are in bloom. The gardens also host the annual Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival, which brings Japanese food, cultural performances and entertainment to the grounds over nine days, drawing thousands of visitors during the short flowering season.
2. Cherrybrook Metro Station
One of Sydney’s most unexpected cherry blossom displays can be found right outside Cherrybrook Metro Station. Rows of flowering trees around the station burst into shades of pink in late winter, creating a striking contrast against the modern architecture and metro trains passing below. The display has become something of a social media attraction in recent years, drawing visitors specifically to photograph the blossoms when they reach their peak. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to reach, with direct metro services from the city making this one of the most accessible spots on the list.
3. Leura, Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains village of Leura is pretty all year round but it’s at its best in spring, with rows of cherry blossoms adding bursts of pink to its streetscape. You can spot flowering trees around the village centre and along its charming main street, so you can combine a blossom hunt with a wander through Leura’s boutiques, antique stores and quaint cafes. The village is also known for its beautiful private gardens, several of which open to visitors during the annual Leura Gardens Festival in October, when the wider area comes alive with tulips, azaleas, rhododendrons and other spring blooms.
4. Fagan Park, Galston
Tucked away in Sydney’s northwest, Fagan Park offers a quieter setting for spotting cherry blossoms away from the crowds. The sprawling park is home to the Gardens of Many Nations, a collection of themed gardens inspired by landscapes from around the world. Its Japanese Garden features a dedicated cherry grove, which comes alive with delicate blossoms in spring, alongside winding paths and a tranquil pond. Pack a picnic and make a day of it, with plenty of open lawns, walking paths and other gardens to explore across the 55-hectare park.
5. Gory’u Japanese Garden, Little Hartley
A relatively hidden spot in Little Hartley at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Gory’u Japanese Garden is a tranquil spot to see cherry blossoms surrounded by traditional Japanese elements and landscaping. The privately owned garden stretches across several acres, with flowering cherry trees dotted among maples, ponds, stone lanterns and carefully landscaped trails. Spring brings an especially colourful display as the blossoms and other seasonal flowers emerge across the grounds. It’s around two hours from Sydney, and the perfect weekend trip if you’re looking to get away from the crowds in Katoomba.
6. Cowra Japanese Garden, Cowra
If you don’t mind the journey, head further afield to the Cowra Japanese Garden, around four hours west of Sydney for an especially colourful cherry blossom display. The five-hectare spot is the largest Japanese garden in the Southern Hemisphere, designed around a series of lakes, waterfalls, streams and landscaped pathways. Cherry blossoms add splashes of pink to the grounds during spring, alongside flowering magnolias and other seasonal blooms. The garden’s annual Sakura Matsuri celebrates the arrival of the blossoms with Japanese food, cultural performances and traditional activities, making September the perfect time to visit.
