Chinese Garden of Friendship
The Chinese Garden of Friendship, located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, is a treasured symbol for many. The goal of this project was the to expand a corner of a Chinese Garden of Friendship, respecting the original vision of the garden while creating an enriching and new visitor experience for all to enjoy.
The project involved clearing selected bamboo and vegetation, demolishing old retaining walls and fencing (with materials stored for reuse), and regrading the site to meet accessibility requirements. New concrete paths, trachyte stepping stones, and automated irrigation was installed. Large boulders, some up to 8 tonnes, were craned into different positions to form feature bolders, including one heritage boulder placed over a new bridge at the garden entrance.
Working within the busy precinct of Darling Harbour presented a range of challenges. All deliveries – including oversized boulders – required coordination with Darling Harbour Rangers to minimise disruption to public areas. Safety remained a top priority, with strict protocols in place for vehicle and crane movements, material handling, dust and noise control, and site security.
The site’s heritage value added further challenges, requiring a sensitive approach that honoured the garden’s cultural significance and original design intent throughout the restoration.
To best tackle this project, our landscape construction team were able to organise a strategic plan with constant logistical coordination at the forefront. To protect the nearby Koi pond and mitigate environmental risks, a silt fence was installed to prevent run off or debris entering the water feature. Bulk excavation and demolition was done using heavy machinery with a smaller footprint as there was limited accessible space. With no opportunity to store material on site, material was regularly removed as it was excavated.
The concrete installation was executed with precise timing using exposed aggregate for aesthetic consistency, and all heavy lifting – particularly the craning of 3 to 8 tonne boulders – was managed under tight operational controls, requiring logistical and technical sophistication.
Sustainability was embedded in every stage of the project, with the most critical initiatives being the preservation of existing natural assets. To protect natural assets such as the mature Blackbutt Eucalyptus trees and the Central Koi Pond, Tree Protection Zones were put in place with alternative access routes used to prevent soil compaction and root damage. The team also planned the reuse of existing materials. An example was the reuse of pre-existing fencing which was dismantled, stored and reinstated later in the project to reduce cost and preserve the heritage of the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
The restoration and expansion of the Chinese Garden of Friendship was an outstanding success that represents the first major upgrade to the Garden since it opened in 1988. Labelled as a “new lease of life”, this upgrade has expanded the garden creating a “Meandering Pathway of Tranquility” for visitors to experience and enjoy. From concept to execution, the project was a success in creating a unique experience of riverside and bamboo walks.
A project as big as this required collaboration from start to end. Green by Nature was in constant communication with the client ‘Recognise Placemaking NSW’, project managers ‘The Project Studio’, Guangdong Province Patrons and garden care takers. The project was able to be completed with no major issues due to effective collaboration between all interested parties.
Darling Harbour and the Chinese Garden of Friendship has become a staple part of the CBD and brings in hundreds of people every day. From overseas tourists to local Sydneysiders, the expansion of the garden has allowed for a flowing tranquil pathway for those to explore, relax and enjoy. Darling Harbour remains an ever growing precinct in the Sydney CBD and Green by Nature were proud to play a part in that story.
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