Balloderry Hill

Balloderry Hill is a landscaped rise in the Sydney Olympic Park parklands, walked mostly for its sunset views over the surrounding wetlands and the Parramatta River. It is an on-leash stroll on paved and grassed paths rather than a workout, and dogs are welcome throughout this part of the parklands as long as they stay on the formed routes.

The walk

The grade is easy on shared paths that loop the hill and connect into the wider parklands network, so you can make the visit as short or as long as you like. Expect cyclists and runners on the same routes and keep the lead short through the faster sections.

Shade is patchy and the open ground heats up through the middle of the day, so carry water for both of you. Bins are dotted through the parklands for waste.

Leash status

On-leash only, and the Sydney Olympic Park rules go further than most: dogs stay on sealed paths, clear of ponds, wetlands and wildlife habitats, with no swimming or paddling in any water feature. There is no off-leash freedom here, and signage through the conservation areas is enforced.

Max: this is a wander, not a run. If your dog needs to burn fuel, point the car at the fenced off-leash area behind the P5 car park on Hill Road afterwards and let the hill be the cool-down.

Getting there

Access is via Hill Road with parking inside the park, which tightens sharply on big event days at the stadium precinct, so check the calendar before you drive in. Olympic Park station is the nearest rail option with a walk in, and the Sydney Olympic Park ferry wharf makes a scenic approach across the river.

While you're out there

Sydney Olympic Park off-leash area covers the off-lead time this hill cannot, and Pierre De Coubertin Fenced Dog Park at Newington adds a fully enclosed option nearby. PLATE CAFE handles coffee in the precinct.

More options are in the NSW dog friendly trails guide and on the Sydney Olympic Park destination page.

Early mornings and weekdays are quietest, and late afternoon into sunset is the obvious pick, when the view earns the trip and the shared paths thin out. Good for a calm on-leash wander, not for high-energy dogs who need to run.