Lane Cove National Park

Nestled inconspicuously in Sydney's north, hugging the Lane Cove River as it snakes its way through the suburbs, this small yet perfectly formed National Park is one of those Sydney miracles, where you can be surrounded by the urban cityscape one second, and then find yourself deep in the bush the next. While it doesn't have quite the same impressive footprint as some of its starrier neighbours, this is still a wonderful place to retreat from the city without having to trek too far out of town. It's a picnickers paradise, with more than 25 designated areas plus public barbecue facilities. You can even hire a rowboat if you fancy a little jaunt upstream.