It once supplied water to Sydneysiders. Today it’s an award-winning sunken garden providing tranquil respite from busy Oxford Street.
Paddington Reservoir Gardens is one of Sydney’s most unique public spaces. The emptied eastern chamber with its vaulted ceiling provides a reminder of the site’s time as a water reservoir. The open-air western chamber is home to a secret garden set among preserved ruins.
When you visit the state heritage-listed site, take the stairs down off Oxford Street and you’ll be met with a picturesque mix of old and new as brick archways frame the gardens and lawn.
Whether you’re interested in remnants of Sydney’s past or simply looking for a place to relax and unwind, you’ll enjoy visiting Paddington Reservoir Gardens.
| Location: | 251-255 Oxford St, Paddington |
| Public Transport: | Buses to Oxford St (near Paddington Town Hall) |
| Facilities: | Shaded seating Shops and cafes nearby |
| Accessibility: | Lift access to sunken garden below street level, paved paths |
| Dog-Friendly: | Dogs must be on a leash and waste disposed of responsibly. |
History of Paddington Reservoir Gardens
The use of the former Paddington Reservoir as a public space has been long in the making.
During the late 1800s, Paddington Reservoir was built to contribute to Sydney’s water supply system from 1878 until 1899.
With the impending closure of the Paddington Reservoir, an item in The Australian Star newspaper on Friday 12 November 1897 reported a request from the Mayor, several alderman of Paddington, and two members of the Legislative Assembly, requesting the site be “handed over to the council to be utilised as public baths”. Ultimately, that vision for the reservoir site would go unrealised.
In the years following the decommissioning of Paddington Reservoir, the site was instead used as a storage and workshop site by the Water Board, and later, sold the Paddington Council with part of the site leased to operate as a service station. That particular use came to an end in 1990 when part of the roof collapsed.
It was not until 2009 that Paddington Reservoir re-opened after the site has been re-imagined and transformed by JMD design and TZG Architects, commissioned by The City of Sydney.
Today, the heritage-listed site features a street-level park and sunken garden with remnant ruins of exposed brickwork archways and beams combined with modern fixtures and surrounding garden beds, ferns, and a lawn framed by shade trees.
Map of Paddington Reservoir Gardens
Paddington Reservoir Gardens is located on Oxford Street in Sydney, which connects the city with Bondi Junction via Paddington. If you’re visiting Paddington Reservoir Gardens by bus, alight near Paddington Town Hall.
Highlights of Paddington Reservoir Gardens
Enjoy the water feature and towering ferns as you walk among the exposed brick archway and beams of the former water reservoir. Seats and a grass lawn provide space to sit and enjoy the garden as a place of respite from the busy street above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of Paddington Reservoir Gardens?
Paddington Reservoir Gardens is a state heritage-listed site that was once home to Paddington Reservoir. Paddington Reservoir was part of Sydney’s water supply from 1878 until 1899, when it was replaced by a newer reservoir at nearby Centennial Park. After the Paddington Reservoir was decommissioned it was used for storage, as workshop space, and as a service station. The site was restored and reopened as Paddington Reservoir Gardens in 2009 and is now public space managed by City of Sydney Council.
Where is Paddington Reservoir Gardens located?
Paddington Reservoir Gardens is located on Oxford Street near the corner of Oatley Road.
When is Paddington Reservoir Gardens open?
Paddington Reservoir Gardens is divided into sections with the street level park open around the clock and the sunken garden open during daylight hours.
Is it free to enter Paddington Reservoir Gardens?
Paddington Reservoir Gardens is a public recreational space and is free to enter.
Is Paddington Reservoir Gardens accessible?
There is a lift and paved pathways to access the sunken garden at Paddington Reservoir Gardens.
Is Paddington Reservoir Gardens dog-friendly?
A City of Sydney sign at Paddington Reservoir Gardens states “pets and their responsible owners are welcome”. Dogs must be on leash when visiting Paddington Reservoir Gardens, and waste disposed of responsibly.
