On Thursday 30 July, the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour will host its first-ever Paint a Friendship Bookmark Workshop: a free drop-in session where visitors paint a watercolour keepsake to mark International Friendship Day.
No bookings are required. Simply arrive between 11am and 2pm, pick up a brush, and create a floral symbol of friendship under the garden’s pavilions. Staff will provide gentle guidance and example designs, making the activity accessible for complete beginners and experienced artists alike. Each participant leaves with a personalised bookmark, complete with a handwritten message and decorative tassel.
The workshop is included in standard garden admission ($12 adult, $8 concession/child, under-5s free). On the same day, the garden’s Bring a Friend for Free offer means paying visitors can bring a companion at no extra cost, essentially making the session free for two if one holds an entry ticket.
The setting matters. The Chinese Garden of Friendship opened on 17 January 1988 to symbolise the sister-city relationship between Sydney and Guangzhou, China. Designed by the Guangzhou Garden Planning & Building Design Institute, the 1.03-hectare heritage-listed garden is modelled on a classic Ming dynasty private retreat, with lotus ponds, koi fish, and winding stone paths. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2018.
International Friendship Day, observed globally on 30 July after a 2011 United Nations proclamation, encourages communities to foster dialogue and solidarity. The garden, itself a living cultural link between Australia and China, offers a uniquely fitting backdrop for a craft activity built around giving and personal connection.
The three-hour workshop window is tight. As the inaugural event, it may draw a larger crowd than future editions, so arriving early is wise. Space is available on a first-come, first-created basis. Note: while no workshop booking is needed, general garden entry still applies.
Getting there is straightforward by public transport. Light rail stops at Paddy’s Markets and Pyrmont Bay are a short walk away; ferries arrive directly at Darling Harbour wharves. Multiple bus routes serve the area, and paid parking is available at nearby Darling Quarter and Cockle Bay Wharf.
After the workshop, combine the visit with a tour of the Australian National Maritime Museum or WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, both within easy walking distance. Restaurants at Cockle Bay Wharf and casual eateries around Darling Quarter offer plenty of lunch options.
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Chinese Garden of Friendship
A 1.03-hectare heritage-listed Chinese garden in Darling Harbour opened in 1988 to symbolise the sister-city relationship between Sydney and Guangzhou, China. Modelled on Ming dynasty private gardens, it offers pavilions, ponds and traditional landscaping open daily to the public.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship remains open daily from 10am to 5pm, a pocket of calm in the heart of the city where the spirit of friendship, much like the koi in its ponds, continues to quietly thrive.