Guidebook for Macquarie Park
Parks & Nature
From Rushcutters Bay Park, this 11-km return isn’t the hardest route, so you can stop to snap a waterfront selfie. The course mostly hugs the harbour: follow other runners and keep the water in sight. You’ll hear clinking sailboats as you pass the Cruising Yacht Club—host of the yearly Sydney-to-Hobart race—and see seaplanes landing when you get to Rose Bay.
The houses in this part of town are beautiful and historic, and the gardens along the foreshore are great for picnics or stopping to stretch. Keep an eye out for the figs in Lyne Park, and don’t be afraid to detour down to both Darling Point and Point Piper along the way—the views are worth it.
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Rushcutters Bay Park
2A New South Head RdFrom Rushcutters Bay Park, this 11-km return isn’t the hardest route, so you can stop to snap a waterfront selfie. The course mostly hugs the harbour: follow other runners and keep the water in sight. You’ll hear clinking sailboats as you pass the Cruising Yacht Club—host of the yearly Sydney-to-Hobart race—and see seaplanes landing when you get to Rose Bay.
The houses in this part of town are beautiful and historic, and the gardens along the foreshore are great for picnics or stopping to stretch. Keep an eye out for the figs in Lyne Park, and don’t be afraid to detour down to both Darling Point and Point Piper along the way—the views are worth it.
This big park is made up of beautiful lawns scattered with ponds and trees. Keep your eyes peeled for horses during the day and thousands of flying foxes—giant bats—around sunset. There’s a flat 3.7-kilometre loop that goes around Grand Drive, but there are loads of cross routes, so you can make the run as long or challenging as you please.
You can run the inside perimeter of the park for a neat 10 km loop, and if you really want to challenge yourself, the fastest time for a 3.6 km lap of the white fence—you’ll know it when you see it—is apparently 10:05. You can also easily run here from the CBD, adding 15 to 20 minutes each way.
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Centennial Park
15 Locked BagThis big park is made up of beautiful lawns scattered with ponds and trees. Keep your eyes peeled for horses during the day and thousands of flying foxes—giant bats—around sunset. There’s a flat 3.7-kilometre loop that goes around Grand Drive, but there are loads of cross routes, so you can make the run as long or challenging as you please.
You can run the inside perimeter of the park for a neat 10 km loop, and if you really want to challenge yourself, the fastest time for a 3.6 km lap of the white fence—you’ll know it when you see it—is apparently 10:05. You can also easily run here from the CBD, adding 15 to 20 minutes each way.
Two words: city wilderness. Take a taxi, bus, or train about 20 km north of the CBD to be surrounded by indigenous plants and birds without leaving the city. The 10 km route along Lane Cove River, from the weir near Delhi Road to Deburghs Bridge, is hilly and surrounded by trees, nice if you need a shady break.
This park is home to wildlife ranging from native birds such as lorikeets and kookaburras to swamp wallabies. You can practice your wildlife photography skills, or just listen to the sounds of the bush.
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Lane Cove National Park
Riverside DriveTwo words: city wilderness. Take a taxi, bus, or train about 20 km north of the CBD to be surrounded by indigenous plants and birds without leaving the city. The 10 km route along Lane Cove River, from the weir near Delhi Road to Deburghs Bridge, is hilly and surrounded by trees, nice if you need a shady break.
This park is home to wildlife ranging from native birds such as lorikeets and kookaburras to swamp wallabies. You can practice your wildlife photography skills, or just listen to the sounds of the bush.
An alternative to a route on city streets is Olympic Park, an impressive complex that includes over 35 km of scenic trails. The 11-km River Heritage Circuit is one of my favourites—it starts next to the Parramatta River and takes you through beautiful wetlands. The park hosts many races and fun runs so check the calendar.
This area was constructed for the 2000 Sydney Olympics—at a time when the city was wild for sport. Sport buffs should tour some of the Olympic venues, check out the Australian Tennis Museum, or return for a rugby match.
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Sydney Olympic Park
An alternative to a route on city streets is Olympic Park, an impressive complex that includes over 35 km of scenic trails. The 11-km River Heritage Circuit is one of my favourites—it starts next to the Parramatta River and takes you through beautiful wetlands. The park hosts many races and fun runs so check the calendar.
This area was constructed for the 2000 Sydney Olympics—at a time when the city was wild for sport. Sport buffs should tour some of the Olympic venues, check out the Australian Tennis Museum, or return for a rugby match.
There’s a fabulous charity run every winter from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach on streets, waterfront, and cliffs. It’s one of the world’s most popular road races, and the 14-km course is so good, it’s worth doing year-round. People dress in crazy costumes and do stunts to raise awareness for causes and surf lifesaving. You can find a map on the race’s website.
The big hill about three quarters of the way to Bondi is called Heartbreak Hill, and it’s the undoing of many unsuspecting runners’ lead, so pace yourself. The good news is once you’re over that, it’s basically downhill to Bondi. Ocean and cliff views will distract you all the way to the beach.
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Hyde Park
Elizabeth StreetThere’s a fabulous charity run every winter from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach on streets, waterfront, and cliffs. It’s one of the world’s most popular road races, and the 14-km course is so good, it’s worth doing year-round. People dress in crazy costumes and do stunts to raise awareness for causes and surf lifesaving. You can find a map on the race’s website.
The big hill about three quarters of the way to Bondi is called Heartbreak Hill, and it’s the undoing of many unsuspecting runners’ lead, so pace yourself. The good news is once you’re over that, it’s basically downhill to Bondi. Ocean and cliff views will distract you all the way to the beach.
The circuit around this point is easily accessible by car, with loads of parking on side streets inside the loop. It’s another one of Sydney’s amazingly scenic spots, and it’s especially beautiful when the city lights up in the evening. Though the distance is short, at just three kilometres, it can be looped and lapped to whatever length suits you best.
This is a great option for a family day out. You can ferry to Cremorne Point from Mosman and Circular Quay, and the pavement is good for running with a stroller, but know that there are a few sets of stairs so it’s easiest to have two adults. Playgrounds and Maccallum Pool will occupy little ones.
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Cremorne Reserve
Milson RoadThe circuit around this point is easily accessible by car, with loads of parking on side streets inside the loop. It’s another one of Sydney’s amazingly scenic spots, and it’s especially beautiful when the city lights up in the evening. Though the distance is short, at just three kilometres, it can be looped and lapped to whatever length suits you best.
This is a great option for a family day out. You can ferry to Cremorne Point from Mosman and Circular Quay, and the pavement is good for running with a stroller, but know that there are a few sets of stairs so it’s easiest to have two adults. Playgrounds and Maccallum Pool will occupy little ones.
You can’t come to Sydney and not visit the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and this route happens to show off both. Start at the bridge’s northern landing, run across it, and follow the path around Circular Quay past the Opera House and the Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquaries Chair. Then turn back for the bridge. It’s about 12 km, and views are to-die-for.
Make sure your phone is fully charged. No matter how many times I’ve run this, I always stop to take photos and videos. There are two fabulous outdoor pools—Olympic Pool, under the north side of the bridge, and Andrew Boy Charlton at Mrs. Macquaries Chair—great for photos, and post-run backstrokes.
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Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour BridgeYou can’t come to Sydney and not visit the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and this route happens to show off both. Start at the bridge’s northern landing, run across it, and follow the path around Circular Quay past the Opera House and the Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquaries Chair. Then turn back for the bridge. It’s about 12 km, and views are to-die-for.
Make sure your phone is fully charged. No matter how many times I’ve run this, I always stop to take photos and videos. There are two fabulous outdoor pools—Olympic Pool, under the north side of the bridge, and Andrew Boy Charlton at Mrs. Macquaries Chair—great for photos, and post-run backstrokes.
The perfect combination of stunning views and bushy terrain through Sydney Harbour National Park in North Sydney. One way, the route spans about nine kilometres, but the 18 km out-and-back is really worth it. At Dobroyd Head, the highest point of the trail, you can enjoy nearly 360-degree views of Sydney. If you’re lucky, you might spot a whale.
You can start at Manly Beach or the Spit Bridge. If you only want to go one way, bus to the Spit and catch one of Sydney’s famous ferries back to the city from Manly. The ride, with the wind in your hair and the views around the headland of the Opera House to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is incredible.
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Manly Wharf station
West EsplanadeThe perfect combination of stunning views and bushy terrain through Sydney Harbour National Park in North Sydney. One way, the route spans about nine kilometres, but the 18 km out-and-back is really worth it. At Dobroyd Head, the highest point of the trail, you can enjoy nearly 360-degree views of Sydney. If you’re lucky, you might spot a whale.
You can start at Manly Beach or the Spit Bridge. If you only want to go one way, bus to the Spit and catch one of Sydney’s famous ferries back to the city from Manly. The ride, with the wind in your hair and the views around the headland of the Opera House to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is incredible.
Running along Iron Cove—starting and ending near Iron Cove Bridge—is an iconic seven-kilometre loop in Western Sydney. It’s pretty flat, so you can take a more laid-back approach or do it a couple of times to gain distance. The path sticks close to the water and is wide and paved so you won’t get lost. You’ll also see tinky boats and Rodd Island.
This is a goodie for parents with kids: the loop passes various manicured parks, a playground, and the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, which means your kids get a chance to play, swim, or even do homework under a tree while you train.
Henley Marine Drive
Henley Marine DriveRunning along Iron Cove—starting and ending near Iron Cove Bridge—is an iconic seven-kilometre loop in Western Sydney. It’s pretty flat, so you can take a more laid-back approach or do it a couple of times to gain distance. The path sticks close to the water and is wide and paved so you won’t get lost. You’ll also see tinky boats and Rodd Island.
This is a goodie for parents with kids: the loop passes various manicured parks, a playground, and the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, which means your kids get a chance to play, swim, or even do homework under a tree while you train.
This six-kilometre route, 12 km return, has some of the most astounding coastal views in Sydney. Starting from Bondi Pavilion, the path continues past a number of beautiful beaches, ocean pools, and magnificent sites, from the ancient cliffs at Mackenzies Point to the ocean-view Waverley Cemetery. It’s definitely one of the most amazing runs in Sydney.
If you don’t mind a stop now and then, there are Aboriginal rock carvings just south of Icebergs pool, and Bondi and Coogee Beaches are both great for photos and swims. In late October, art installations pop up along the cliffs between Bondi and Tamarama as part of Sculpture by the Sea. Take a camera.
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McDonald's Coogee
186 Arden StThis six-kilometre route, 12 km return, has some of the most astounding coastal views in Sydney. Starting from Bondi Pavilion, the path continues past a number of beautiful beaches, ocean pools, and magnificent sites, from the ancient cliffs at Mackenzies Point to the ocean-view Waverley Cemetery. It’s definitely one of the most amazing runs in Sydney.
If you don’t mind a stop now and then, there are Aboriginal rock carvings just south of Icebergs pool, and Bondi and Coogee Beaches are both great for photos and swims. In late October, art installations pop up along the cliffs between Bondi and Tamarama as part of Sculpture by the Sea. Take a camera.