Paddington Reservoir, Heritage garden in Oxford Street, Paddington, Australia.
Paddington Reservoir Gardens is a heritage park on Oxford Street that preserves original 19th-century brick chambers and iron support columns from its days as a water storage facility. The layout spans multiple levels, with sunken garden areas, open lawns, and elevated walkways connecting different sections throughout the grounds.
Construction took place between 1866 and 1878, and it supplied water to Sydney's elevated residential areas until the late 1800s. A larger facility then took over the water supply role, leading to the site's eventual conversion into a public garden.
The name references its former purpose as a water storage facility, and locals now gather here for exhibitions and community events that bring the neighborhood together. People move through the space for both social meetings and quiet moments of reflection.
The gardens are open daily with access points along Oxford Street near bus stops and parking options. Comfortable shoes are recommended because the pathways involve navigating multiple levels and steps throughout the grounds.
What sets this place apart is how the original water tank structure remains visible and has been incorporated into the modern garden design. This blend of Victorian industrial infrastructure with contemporary landscaping came about through deliberate choices to honor the site's past while giving it new purpose.
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