Double Bay Wharf to Circular Quay

This 7.7km point-to-point foreshore walk links Double Bay Wharf to Circular Quay through some of the best harbour real estate in Sydney: Steyne Park, Darling Point, Rushcutters Bay Park, Woolloomooloo and the Domain before the finish at the Quay. It is a moderate grade on predominantly paved paths, budget 2 to 2.5 hours at an easy pace, and you can walk it in either direction. The catch for dog owners is that this is an on-lead walk the whole way, with a few banned pockets to route around carefully.

Leash status

Woollahra Municipal Council and City of Sydney land is stitched together along this route, and dogs stay on lead throughout. The safety-critical part sits at the start: dogs are banned from Double Bay Beach, Blackburn Gardens and the Murray Rose Pool area, and these zones sit close together, so it is easy to wander into one without realising. At the city end, dogs cannot enter the inner Royal Botanic Garden around Mrs Macquarie's Chair; the garden's perimeter paths allow leashed dogs, but plan your approach and keep to the allowed edges.

Max: check the map before you set off from Double Bay. The banned zones cluster near the wharf, and a wandering nose will find them faster than you will.

Water and terrain

The path is mostly paved, with the hilly, tree-lined residential streets around Darling Point providing the main climbs and narrow footpaths that need a short leash. Water stations sit in most of the public parks along the way, including Rushcutters Bay Park, which is also the natural mid-walk breather before the push into the city. Restrooms turn up at Steyne Park, Rushcutters Bay Park and again near Circular Quay and the Botanic Garden. Bins are available in most council parks, so there is no excuse for carrying it home.

Getting there and parking

Start or finish at either wharf. The F7 ferry connects Double Bay and Circular Quay roughly every 30 to 60 minutes, which turns this into a one-way walk with a scenic ride back, but note that under Transport NSW rules dogs must travel in a suitable carrier on ferries, so the ferry leg is a people-only convenience for most owners. Street parking in Double Bay is limited and metered; arriving on foot from the local streets is simpler.

When to go

Early morning beats both the heat off the water and the crowds around the Finger Wharf and the Quay promenade. Potts Point and Woolloomooloo get busy with outdoor dining through the middle of the day, so a firm short lead and patience matter there. Weekends bring the heaviest foot traffic near Circular Quay.

While you're out there

The Rushcutters Bay Park listing covers the park you pass through mid-route with its timed off-leash zones off the main path. Beare Park at Elizabeth Bay is a short detour for harbour grass. For coffee at either end, RayRay Cafe on Macleay Street and The Navy Bear at Darling Point sit close to the route.

More options are on the New South Wales dog walks guide and the Double Bay destination page.