The Bay Run is a well-loved circular walking trail that loops around Iron Cove in Sydney’s inner west, winding through seven different suburbs.
Though it may not boast the most spectacular scenery in Sydney, the Bay Run remains a favourite among cyclists, runners, joggers, walkers, and parents with prams.
Looking for more trails like this? Check out our guide on bay walks in Sydney.
| The Bay Run | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
Getting There
With its length and access through multiple suburbs, you can start the Bay Run wherever is most convenient for you.
Free street parking is widely available along Henley Marine Drive on the northern side of the track, making it an easy spot to begin your walk.
There are also a few parking areas where you can park your car:
- King George Park in Rozelle
- Leichhardt Rowing Club in Lilyfield
- Maliyawul Street in Lilyfield
- Rodd Park in Rodd Point
Below is a map of the Bay Run with these parking areas marked. If you’d like to have a closer look at the map, check it out on Google Maps.
Public transport is also a convenient option for accessing the Bay Run, with various bus stops located throughout the seven suburbs it passes through.
If you’re arriving by bus on Victoria Road, consider starting your walk at King George Park in Rozelle, just south of the Iron Cove Bridge.
Track Notes
The Bay Run is a relatively easy walking track, suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Apart from two small sections near King George Park, the walk is mostly flat.
The path is primarily shared between cyclists and walkers, with clear signage guiding you from start to finish. Plus, with several cafes and playgrounds along the route, the Bay Run offers a perfect way to spend a few hours outdoors.
You can walk the loop in either direction, but many people seem to prefer the anti-clockwise route, making the clockwise direction a bit less crowded.
Below, we are going through the Bay Run in a clockwise direction, highlighting the following key landmarks and milestones:
- King George Park
- Leichhardt Park
- Hawthorne Canal Bridge
- Iron Cove Creek Bridge
- Rodd Park
- Henley Marine Drive
- Iron Cove Bridge
1. King George Park
Assuming you’ve parked at King George Park or arrived by bus on Victoria Road just south of the Iron Cove Bridge, head straight to the foreshore of King George Park to start your walk.
Follow the path along the shoreline, passing a small fitness station and the athletics field, then continue up the hill towards Callan Park and Callan Park Oval via Waterfront Drive.
Once part of the former Callan Park Hospital in Lilyfield, Callan Park is home to several heritage buildings. If you have some extra time, it’s worth exploring this area.
From Callan Park, follow the main track past the Leichhardt Rowing Club towards Leichhardt Park.
As mentioned earlier, the rowing club on Glover Street has a large carpark, making it another convenient starting point for the Bay Run.
2. Leichhardt Park
Leichhardt Park is a spacious recreational area featuring a fenced playground, a fitness station, a toilet block, and plenty of benches and tables.
It’s also home to Le Montage, a popular Sydney waterfront venue with five event rooms. If you’re feeling a bit hungry, there’s a café right next door.
3. Hawthorne Canal Bridge
Follow the path along Maliyawul Street to the shared cyclist and pedestrian bridge that crosses the Hawthorne Canal.
Crossing this bridge takes you out of Lilyfield and into the suburb of Haberfield. The track then continues along Haberfield’s shoreline, passing the UTS Haberfield Rowers Club and Restaurant.
There’s also a small pop-up kiosk outside, perfect for a quick coffee break while enjoying views of the calm waters of Iron Cove.
4. Iron Cove Creek Bridge
The path continues along the rather noisy City West Link road toward the Iron Cove Creek pedestrian and cycle bridge, passing Robson Park and Timbrell Park on the opposite side of the road.
Crossing this scenic bridge brings you into the suburb of Five Dock, followed shortly by Rodd Point, where the walking path continues along Henley Marine Drive.
5. Rodd Park
The path passes Rodd Park, a small peninsula that houses the Dobroyd Aquatic Centre and the historic Rodd Point Memorial.
Both Rodd Point and Rodd Park are named after the Rodd family, who made significant contributions to the local area throughout the 19th century.
Originally built as a mausoleum for the Rodd family, the memorial was carved from a large rock by convicts. In the 1970s, the Rotary Club of Five Dock restored the structure as a memorial.
6. Henley Marine Drive
From Rodd Park, the Bay Run follows Henley Marine Drive, offering superb views of the water on one side and impressive real estate on the other.
This section tends to be quite busy, with many runners and cyclists sharing the path, so be mindful and stay within the appropriate lane whenever possible.
Take some time to read the information panels along the way, which provide insights into the mangroves and mudflats that thrive in this part of the Bay Run circuit.
The track then continues along the northern foreshore of Iron Cove, passing the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club and the Thompson Street Jetty, before reaching Brett Park and the Drummoyne Rowing Club.
7. Iron Cove Bridge
The Bay Run then uses the shared pedestrian and cyclist lane on the Iron Cove Bridge to loop back to Rozelle, on the opposite side of the bay.
The Iron Cove Bridge, a heritage-listed steel truss structure, has connected Victoria Road between Drummoyne and Rozelle since it officially opened in 1955. A second bridge was added in 2011 to accommodate increasing traffic.
The original Iron Cove Bridge, built in 1882, provided a new route for travellers heading from the west to Sydney via Balmain.
After crossing the bridge, follow the winding path back to King George Park!
