Nan Tien Temple
Nan Tien Temple
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Nan Tien is very different from most tourist attractions because there is so much to offer: the visual delights of grandeur architecture, art & culture including unique exhibitions & festivals, Buddhist festivals, vegetarian culinary delights, educational & healthy life style classes & retreats, accommodation, top class conference and auditorium facilities as well as beautiful gardens & walks. There is also the spiritual and religious experience that is unforgettable and even life changing for some.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
972 reviews
Excellent
580
Very good
307
Average
59
Poor
17
Terrible
9
sydrandhawa
Sydney, Australia3 contributions
Jun 2021
A totally wonderful experience. A serene place with beautiful gardens and a magnificient temple on the 3rd floor. Don't forget to visit the Nan Tien Gratitude Bell behind the Budhist Pagoda. A bit of a uphill walk but well worth it. Do climb the hill near the Gratitude Bell. The views are worth the walk up the hillock
However avoid The Karma restaurant on the Ground Floor. A total rip off. Portion are smalls and the items are priced high. We ordered five dishes for four of us and were given only one dish and had to wait over half an hour for the other dishes and the soups were cold by then. The Wonton soup was insipid and cold.
Better try the restaurant on the second floor. Seating in the restaurant on the second floor is limited and the timings are only from 1:30 to 2:30pm so make sure you reach on time. At all cost avoid the Karma Restaurant on the ground floor
However avoid The Karma restaurant on the Ground Floor. A total rip off. Portion are smalls and the items are priced high. We ordered five dishes for four of us and were given only one dish and had to wait over half an hour for the other dishes and the soups were cold by then. The Wonton soup was insipid and cold.
Better try the restaurant on the second floor. Seating in the restaurant on the second floor is limited and the timings are only from 1:30 to 2:30pm so make sure you reach on time. At all cost avoid the Karma Restaurant on the ground floor
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne R
10 contributions
Jun 2021
After covid lockdown (medical requirement) I was excited to be attending a weekend meditation retreat at Nan Tien, an expensive gift from my daughter. Six one day retreats over the past 10 years or so, all highly enjoyable, made a weekend retreat the next obvious step.
The program for the weekend promised much and for the first few hours delivered what was anticipated. Lunch saw no provision for dietary requirements for a couple of us on the retreat eventhough in my case, not only was it written in the booking sheet but 3 subsequent phone calls to confirm my allergy were made. My luch therefore consisted of white rice with a promise dinner would be attended to.
What I was told I could eat because it "had been cooked separately" resulted in an anaphylactic episode and a very miserable night.
Since my return home with the promise of a follow up from Nan Tien, the silence has been deafening and an email to them ignored.
The complex is beautiful. Trying to find a peaceful place to sit and meditate during the day with so many visitors is hard.
My advice, if you have allergies or special food requirements and you are on retreat, take your own food.
I won't be returning.
The program for the weekend promised much and for the first few hours delivered what was anticipated. Lunch saw no provision for dietary requirements for a couple of us on the retreat eventhough in my case, not only was it written in the booking sheet but 3 subsequent phone calls to confirm my allergy were made. My luch therefore consisted of white rice with a promise dinner would be attended to.
What I was told I could eat because it "had been cooked separately" resulted in an anaphylactic episode and a very miserable night.
Since my return home with the promise of a follow up from Nan Tien, the silence has been deafening and an email to them ignored.
The complex is beautiful. Trying to find a peaceful place to sit and meditate during the day with so many visitors is hard.
My advice, if you have allergies or special food requirements and you are on retreat, take your own food.
I won't be returning.
Written 16 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A.M.
3 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
Nice place, too bad the staff treat their guests in an absolutely disgusting manner. I very much enjoyed my day here, beautiful place and what I thought was a great way to display and engage tourists in the traditional culture.
That is until I tried to go into the museum and the woman sitting at the desk screamed at me to cover myself properly in very broken English it took a while to understand why she was yelling at me and repeatedly hollered scarf at me. She was implying that I was not dressed properly and had offended her by trying to enter the museum, I turned and left the entire temple as quick as I could incredibly embarrassed and humiliated.
1. If you have a dress code, state it at the entrance! Do not allow people to enjoy many hours before they are screamed at and humiliated for doing something they didn't realise is wrong. I also find it interesting that your reviews seem to have a reoccurring pattern of this happening to women who do not have a "traditional" appearance if you can follow what I'm saying there...
2. I'm sorry but the dress pictured is what I was wearing; it covers all: cleavage, shoulders, upper arms, stomach, thighs, knees and even part of my ankles! I can understand if I was wearing a crop top and hot pants but I was not. I had purposely dressed in a manner I thought was appropriate and respectful, which not 1 other staff member saw an issue with.
The only thing my dress exposed was my collarbone. What a joke!
That is until I tried to go into the museum and the woman sitting at the desk screamed at me to cover myself properly in very broken English it took a while to understand why she was yelling at me and repeatedly hollered scarf at me. She was implying that I was not dressed properly and had offended her by trying to enter the museum, I turned and left the entire temple as quick as I could incredibly embarrassed and humiliated.
1. If you have a dress code, state it at the entrance! Do not allow people to enjoy many hours before they are screamed at and humiliated for doing something they didn't realise is wrong. I also find it interesting that your reviews seem to have a reoccurring pattern of this happening to women who do not have a "traditional" appearance if you can follow what I'm saying there...
2. I'm sorry but the dress pictured is what I was wearing; it covers all: cleavage, shoulders, upper arms, stomach, thighs, knees and even part of my ankles! I can understand if I was wearing a crop top and hot pants but I was not. I had purposely dressed in a manner I thought was appropriate and respectful, which not 1 other staff member saw an issue with.
The only thing my dress exposed was my collarbone. What a joke!
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
timeless travels
Canberra, Australia48 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
First visit to temple. The grounds and temple are very serene and harmonious with the surroundings. You felt like you had entered another time and place altogether.
As non Buddhists we did not feel unwelcome, everyone was welcoming.
As non Buddhists we did not feel unwelcome, everyone was welcoming.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa D
2 contributions
Jan 2023
If you are Gluten Free eat well beforehand/elsewhere. I arrived at lunchtime with 2 hungry teens after a long drive, there was nothing on the Dew Drop Inn menu for GF and the lady serving just stated it as if to say, so move on. So I ordered for the teens and looked through packaged goods for GF food. Nothing! Not even a banana was available. In the end I persuaded the lady taking orders to supply me with a plain bowl of white rice - very unappetising. As the teens had already received their (lovely smelling food) I asked if the rice could be supplied quickly (but no, I had to wait for all the other complex orders before me to be done). Then the teens had to wait for the rice and for me to eat it. This coloured my whole visit. Was oniy moderately impressed with the temple etc - too many fake/plastic flowers etc. though the real orchids were lovely. Nan Tien failed to inspire the awe and reverence that I have felt in other temples, not sure if this was due to feeling irrate after the experience re; food (or lack of it) though I normally overcome this quickly through mindfulness. Only in the Tea Shop did anyone serving seem friendly and helpful others basically uninterested. Ringing the Gratitude bell was a highlight. Nan Tien state clearly on their website that no outside food is allowed, so I planned to eat there. If they have this rule, they have to cover all dietary requirements. Best part was the lotus's in flower.
Written 19 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rani S
9 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
The vibe is dead the second you walk in. Everybody is pushing you to buy things, or sign up for things. They are so persistent and nagging, it made us so uncomfortable . I was kicked out twice for wearing this dress, even after I adjusted it to cover my shoulders as you can see in this photo. I asked the old lady what was wrong With my dress, Because I was confused, she couldn’t answer me. she just pointed at my face and said “please don’t come”. They let other people enter showing much more Shoulders, I guess they pick and choose who they like, or who they think they can scam into buying a scarf which is see through anyway. Also, I came with a Fijian friend and she felt constantly monitored in the souvenir stores. I’ve heard this place was more genuine in the past years, hopefully one day it can get back to that.
Written 5 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane T
Sydney, Australia1,178 contributions
Feb 2021
Nice place to visit if you got some free time to see how the Buddhist religion have their temples.
My wife is Vietnamese so it was better for her to visit and she could pray. (Hopefully for me). She did have a pair of hot pants on which is not allowed but for $8 we bought her a sarong to cover.
Nothing much more to do than have a little stroll.
My wife is Vietnamese so it was better for her to visit and she could pray. (Hopefully for me). She did have a pair of hot pants on which is not allowed but for $8 we bought her a sarong to cover.
Nothing much more to do than have a little stroll.
Written 7 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Squidy Travels
Sydney, Australia289 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
Absolutely beautiful place!
The temple is a stunning example of Buddhist architecture and the attention to detail is amazing. Everything is so beautifully maintained and so clean.
Remember to be respectful on your visit as this is a religious site so always best to check the dress code and what is and isn’t allowed on the premises before your visit.
The grounds are quite large and there are so many beautiful places to explore. Definitely worth a visit.
The temple is a stunning example of Buddhist architecture and the attention to detail is amazing. Everything is so beautifully maintained and so clean.
Remember to be respectful on your visit as this is a religious site so always best to check the dress code and what is and isn’t allowed on the premises before your visit.
The grounds are quite large and there are so many beautiful places to explore. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 23 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Une_Bella
Sydney, Australia605 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Beautiful atmosphere. It’s quite a big compound and one can easily take a few hours to explore the grounds.
What I liked:
The gardens are lovely
The gratitude bell by the Buddha on top of the hill is wonderful and also overlooks the pagoda
Really enjoyed the calligraphy in the pagoda - this can be tried free of charge
No photos/videos allowed around the shrines which makes it easy to sit & contemplate
The fountain at the back is also a delight
I felt like I was in Asia, really liked exploring the temple and surrounding
What I liked:
The gardens are lovely
The gratitude bell by the Buddha on top of the hill is wonderful and also overlooks the pagoda
Really enjoyed the calligraphy in the pagoda - this can be tried free of charge
No photos/videos allowed around the shrines which makes it easy to sit & contemplate
The fountain at the back is also a delight
I felt like I was in Asia, really liked exploring the temple and surrounding
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bega1508
Sydney, Australia188 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
Beautiful energy. Stunning grounds.
Peaceful, quiet and beautiful Temples to meditate, pray and contemplate.
Respectful and kind helpers and staff. I believe some are volunteers.
Incense is available for purchase and use outside the Temples during your visit.
Lots of parking although you may have to walk a bit further during peak times.
Easy to get around the grounds with maps on display. Lifts are available and much appreciated by those with mobility issues, as there are a lot of stairs.
Vegetarian cafe in main complex very good and reasonably priced.
Gift and Tea Shops offer a varied selection of beautiful items for purchase.
Overall, a very special place to spend a few hours.
Peaceful, quiet and beautiful Temples to meditate, pray and contemplate.
Respectful and kind helpers and staff. I believe some are volunteers.
Incense is available for purchase and use outside the Temples during your visit.
Lots of parking although you may have to walk a bit further during peak times.
Easy to get around the grounds with maps on display. Lifts are available and much appreciated by those with mobility issues, as there are a lot of stairs.
Vegetarian cafe in main complex very good and reasonably priced.
Gift and Tea Shops offer a varied selection of beautiful items for purchase.
Overall, a very special place to spend a few hours.
Written 19 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you able to walk around the grounds only with a dog?
Written 24 October 2020
Is it necessary to advise the visitation in advance? And How much ?
Written 9 November 2018
Hola a todos!! Quiero ir con mis amigos pero no sabemos cuál sería el mejor transporte público... Alguna sugerencia.. quedó super agradecida!!!
Written 11 January 2018
what's the price of tickets for adult and infent need some details please
Written 10 October 2017
There was no cost to visit the Temple. If you wish to make a donation there was one box we saw in the whole place. It is very serene
Written 10 October 2017
tanhongkiat
Singapore, Singapore
I'm a Singaporean and will be in Sydney for 2 days. How do I get to Nan Tien Temple from Sydney by public transport?
Written 4 April 2016
Public Transport (Train and Bus)
Plan your public transport itinerary here or use the trip planner at the bottom of this page.
Nan Tien Institute will be located at 231 Nolan Street, Unanderra, NSW, 2526 which can be reached by any of the following public transport routes:
By Train
By train to Unanderra Station (South Coast Line). Check the timetable on CityRail.
Once you arrive at Unanderra Station there are three ways to get to Nan Tien Institute from the station:
Bus. Catch Bus (Route 34) at Unanderra Shops (right hand side of the station near Caltex petrol station), and alight at the Campus entrance on Nolan Street.
Taxi. Walk to the right hand side of the station (Shops Side), call (02) 4229 9311 for a taxi.
By Bus
Bus 34 - Wollongong to Warrawong Via Berkeley. Alight at the Campus entrance on Nolan Street. Check the Timetable here.
Plan Your Trip Using the NSW Transport Info Trip Planner
Written 4 June 2016
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