Busbys Pond and Duck Pond Loop

The Busbys Pond and Duck Pond loop is a flat 3.7 km circuit through the middle of Centennial Parklands, past two of the most photogenic ornamental ponds in Sydney. It is an easy, pram-friendly walk with black swans, ducks and pelicans for company, and while Centennial Park as a whole is one of the most dog friendly public spaces in the city, this particular loop is an on-lead walk almost from start to finish.

The walk

The circuit links the two ponds inside the Grand Drive ring: about 1.4 km around Busbys Pond alone, and roughly 3.7 km if you loop past both ponds and the parkland between them. Surfaces are level and largely paved, comfortably under an hour at a strolling pace, and fine for prams and wheels. Birdlife is the drawcard, with swans and pelicans on the water for most of the year.

Leash status

Dogs must be on lead within 10 metres of any pond or lake, which covers essentially the whole of this loop, and inside the Grand Drive circuit leads are required on all paths, roads and shared pathways. The Trust's rules are legally enforceable and rangers do issue fines, so treat the lead as non-negotiable here. Dogs are never allowed in the ponds themselves.

The off-lead compensation is close by: over 30% of the parklands is signed off-lead, on the open ground outside the Grand Drive ring. Running a zoomies session there before or after the pond circuit makes for a well-balanced outing. One handler may lead a maximum of four dogs, and greyhounds must be muzzled.

Water and hazards

The ponds are wildlife protection habitat, not dog swimming holes, so bring your own water. Dogs are prohibited from the Bird Sanctuary and York Road Bushland, the horse and cycle tracks, the equestrian grounds and the Learner's Cycleway, and must stay 10 metres clear of playgrounds and all food areas, cafes and barbecues included. Sporting fields are off limits while in use, and Tramway Oval, Kippax Lake Field, Moore Park Golf Course and the sports centre are closed to dogs at all times.

When to go

Early morning is the sweet spot: soft light on the water, fewer bikes on the shared paths, and cooler conditions for the dog. Weekends get busy with runners, cyclists and picnics, so a weekday visit is the calmer option.

Max: the 10 metre pond rule is measured from the water, not from the path. On this loop, assume you are inside it and keep the lead on.

Getting there and parking

The loop is reached from any of the parklands gates inside Grand Drive, with parking along Grand Drive and the surrounding streets. The park is also easy to reach by light rail or bus from the city, though a dog makes the car the simpler choice for most visitors.

Close by with the dogs

Centennial Park Dog Exercise Area covers the off-lead ground you will want before the walk, and Queens Park Railway Dog Park is a short drive east. Afterwards, The Greenhouse at Centennial Park sits inside the parklands, or Queens Park Kitchen is on the Queens Park edge; remember the 10 metre rule around food areas and settle at an outside table with the lead on.

More options are on the New South Wales dog friendly trails guide and the Centennial Park destination page.