Last updated: February 26, 2024
The Glebe Foreshore Walk is a scenic walking trail from Bicentennial Park to Bridge Road along the shores of Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay.
This walking track offers excellent views of the Sydney CBD skyline, the Anzac Bridge, and Sydney Harbour. There are several parks along the way to relax and take in the views of this part of Sydney.
In this article, we will discuss the highlights of this family-friendly walk, how best to get there, where to park your car, and where to have lunch nearby.
| Glebe Foreshore Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4 km (return) |
| Time: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On and off leash sections in the parks |
How to Get There
There are various ways to travel to the Glebe foreshore area.
1. Light Rail
The easiest way to travel to Glebe is via the Sydney Light Rail from Central Station. Jubilee Park and Rozelle Bay are the closest light rail stations.
Rozelle Bay Station is opposite the new Rozelle Parklands, from where you can walk to Bicentennial Park in Glebe.
2. Bus
Plenty of buses travel through Glebe from the city, with various bus stops along Glebe Point Road in Glebe and The Crescent in Annandale.
Use the Transport NSW site to help plan your trip with public transport.
3. Car
A small car park is located on Chapman Road next to Bicentennial Park, which tends to fill up quickly on the weekends (see map location).
Another option is suburban street parking closer to Jubilee Park, along Victoria Road, Alexandra Road, Eglinton Road, or Northcote Road. These roads typically have a two-hour parking limit.
Map
Below is a map of the Glebe Foreshore Walk, including the two parking areas (P) and the Jubilee Park light rail station (L).
Glebe Foreshore Track Notes
The Glebe Foreshore Walk explores the following parks and reserves:
- Bicentennial Park
- Federal Park
- Jubilee Park
- Pope Paul VI Reserve
- Blackwattle Bay Park
The official Glebe Foreshore Parks consist of Bicentennial Park, Federal Park, Jubilee Park, and Blackwattle Bay Park. This beautiful area is also included on our list of best parks in Sydney.
1. Bicentennial Park
It’s recommended to start the Glebe Foreshore Walk at the Rozelle Bay end, where you can park your car or jump off the light rail.
Bicentennial Park is a spacious park facing the southwestern shore of Rozelle Bay, home to plenty of picnic areas, a large playground for children, a historic pavilion, and much more.
Dogs can go off-leash in the western part of the park (marked by Johnstons Creek) but need to be on a lead in the eastern part of the park. If you’re a dog owner, don’t forget to check out the little dog-friendly beach.
Bicentennial Park was established in 1988 to mark the 200th anniversary of European settlement in New South Wales and Australia.
2. Federal Park
Federal Park is located towards the southern end of Bicentennial Park, and is the perfect place for outdoor sports activities such as hockey, touch football, and skating.
The park has a floodlit field, a skateboard ramp, picnic areas with seating and barbecues, and a dog park where dogs can go off-leash.
Federal Park is situated on reclaimed land and was dedicated as public parkland in 1899. In 1902, it was named Federal Park to commemorate the federation of the Australian colonies.
3. Jubilee Park
Jubilee Park borders Federal Park, and has a historic cricket pavilion and an oval that can be used for sports like AFL, touch football, and cricket.
There is also a fantastic kids’ playground that was upgraded in 2014. Dogs need to be on a leash in this area.
From Jubilee Park, the trail continues northbound and enters the eastern part of Bicentennial Park. From there, keep walking eastbound along the Rozelle Bay foreshore.
4. Pope Paul VI Reserve
Further east along the shore, at the end of Glebe Point Road, is the Pope Paul VI Reserve. This reserve commemorates the first-ever papal visit to Australia.
Pope Paul VI arrived in Glebe at the former Glebe Point Road wharf in 1970.
This reserve is also a great opportunity to see three iconic Sydney bridges in one panoramic view: Anzac Bridge (1996), Glebe Island Bridge (1903), and Harbour Bridge (1932).
The Glebe Island Bridge, a traditional swing bridge, was closed in 1995 and placed in a permanently open position so that boats could enter and exit Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay at all times.
As you continue the walk, you’ll leave Rozelle Bay behind and enter the Blackwattle Bay part of the walking trail.
5. Blackwattle Bay Park
This section of the Glebe Foreshore Walk offers a bit of history with an old crane and a winch displayed along the path.
It brings you back to the industrial days of Glebe, with the old timber yards being the leading industry in the area at the time.
Blackwattle Bay Park was transformed from industrial land to a recreational park, completed in 1983.
When walking along the Blackwattle Bay foreshore, keep an eye out for a two-level villa named Bellevue, a heritage-listed former residence that was built in 1896. This building is now home to a French dining restaurant.
The next stretch of the walking trail offers beautiful views of the Sydney CBD skyline, as you walk towards the Glebe Rowing Club on Blackwattle Bay.
This final section of the Glebe Foreshore Walk is a 300-metre walking path shared by pedestrians and cyclists, providing easy access to Wentworth Park, the CBD, and the Sydney Fish Market.
Nearby Lunch Options
Once you’ve completed the Glebe Foreshore Walk and it’s close to lunchtime, you may as well walk along Bridge Rd to the Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont.
With beautiful fresh seafood available from several different shops and a great outdoor seating area, this is the perfect place to indulge and relax.
Note that the government is currently building a new, state-of-the-art fish market complex on Bridge Road, which is scheduled to open in 2024.
Another option is to visit the Tramsheds, located next to the Jubilee Park light rail station. The Tramsheds is an industrial-style food precinct with various vendors, trendy restaurants, and a supermarket.
A third option for lunch is to go into the Glebe town centre. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along Glebe Point Road, which runs from Rozelle Bay to Broadway in the city.
