Circular Quay to Double Bay
This walk takes in some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks alongside a string of harbour-side parks and neighbourhoods. There are plenty of opportunities for coffee, lunch or a quiet sit by the water along the way, and you finish with a scenic ferry ride back to the city. What's not to like?
Beginning at Circular Quay, the route follows the harbour foreshore past the Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens, around Woolloomooloo and Potts Point, and through a series of bays and parks to Double Bay. It’s a varied, mostly easy walk that combines famous views with quieter pockets, and can be broken into shorter sections if needed
THE TRAIL - STEP BY STEP
Circular Quay to Mrs Macquarie’s Point
The walk begins and ends at Circular Quay Wharf, conveniently located beside Circular Quay train station on the City Circle line. From the quay, head toward the Opera House.
This area is tourist central and can be extremely busy, especially in summer. Before heading into the Botanic Gardens, it’s worth walking to the end of the point to see if Benny the Seal is in residence on the back steps.
Continue around the back of the Opera House and follow the waterside path toward the Botanic Gardens gate. From here, walk along the foreshore beside the gardens toward Yurong Point and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a sandstone seat carved by convicts in 1810 for the Governor’s wife to sit and enjoy the view.*
And what a view it is. The sweeping outlook across Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House makes this one of Sydney's most photographed locations, especially popular at sunset.
Mrs Macquarie’s Point to Potts Point
Follow the path around the point that looks out over to the Garden Island and the naval vessels docked there. Andrew Boy Charlton Pool is up ahead. Just beyond it, take the second set of steps on your left (not the first) down to Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo.
Dotted along the boardwalk you’ll notice a series of large scale metal sculptures. featuring various Australian artists. The sculptures are installed by ArtPark Australia and change periodically.
Woolloomooloo is a former docklands area. The huge timber structure that dominates the wharf was once used as a cargo dock and migration point. It now contains some 300 luxury apartments, a marina, hotel, and some great waterfront restaurants, including the much loved Otto Ristorante which opened on the wharf 25 years ago.
Near on 90 years ago, Harry’s Cafe de Wheels started serving pies and hot dogs from its colourful caravan, which you’ll see a little further along, near the main gates of the dockyard.
From here, continue along the roadway, cross at the lights at Cowper Wharf, and head up the (killer) McElhone Stairway to Victoria Street, Potts Point. It’s steep — pause for a breath at the top and take in the view.
Potts Point to Rushcutters Bay
From the top of the stairs, turn right onto Victoria Street, then right into Challis Avenue and continue along Macleay Street.
This area of Sydney has a bit of a dual personality. At this end of Macleay St, in the suburb of Potts Point, you’ll find grand Victorian terraces, stately Art Deco apartment blocks, and high end restaurants. (Cho Cho San is a favourite.) At the other end of Macleay St is the legendary Kings Cross which is, let’s say, a little edgier, and better known for its bars, nightclubs, brothels and strip clubs.
Look for the bookshop on Macleay Street. Just beyond it, a narrow laneway runs between two tall apartment buildings. Turn left here and follow it down to stairs leading to Billyard Avenue and Elizabeth Bay.
Where Billyard Avenue meets Onslow St, take the steps up to enjoy a moment in Arthur McElhone Reserve, one of Sydney’s prettiest little parks. Named in 1950 for a local alderman, this hidden gem features a vibrant koi pond, stone bridge, waterfalls and harbour views. It sits within the original carriage loop of one of Sydney’s oldest grand homes, Elizabeth Bay House which is open to the public (limited hours - check website for details).
Arthur McElhone Reserve
Back down on Billyard Avenue, look out for the high walls of Boomerang, a Spanish Mission style mansion that last sold for $80 million, making headlines in Sydney's luxury property market.
At the end of Billyard Avenue, the path continues up Ithaca Road. If you’re ready for a coffee or toilet stop, detour down to Beare Park first, where you’ll find Elizabeth Bay Marina, a cafe and waterfront seating.
Back on Ithaca Road, follow it up to its end and look for a pathway with Bondi to Manly Walk signage. This path meanders downhill via steps into Rushcutters Bay Park.
Rushcutters Bay
Rushcutters Bay to Double Bay
Rushcutters Bay Park is huge! There are two ovals, tennis courts, an exercise station, playground and cafe. Not to mention some beautiful old Moreton Bay figs. Along the foreshore are plenty of places to stop and take in the boat-strewn bay.
Exit the park on to New Beach Road and continue on until you come to Sir David Martin Reserve home to the Royal Australian Navy Sailing Club and the Navy Bear Cafe. I stopped here for lunch and I recommend it not only for the good food and coffee, but also for its view and relaxed vibe.
A little further on down the road is Yarranabbe Park, prized for views over to the city, especially on New Years Eve.
The waterfront path comes to a dead end beyond Yarranabbe Park so you’ll need to leave the foreshore near where the playground is, and cross the park to rejoin New Beach Road. Turn left onto Yarranabbe Road and climb the hill to Thornton Street, then continue until you reach Darling Point Road.
You’re now in leafy Darling Point, characterised by prestigious apartment buildings and grand homes. The most notable is Swifts, on the corner of Thornton and Darling Streets — a Gothic Revival mansion built in the 1870s and described by the Australian Heritage Council as “perhaps the grandest house remaining in Sydney.”
Steyne Park, Double Bay
To finish
Continue down Darling Point Road to Marathon Road, turn left, and walk down the steep stairway to Steyne Park and Double Bay Wharf, where you can catch the ferry back to Circular Quay (check timetables — services are limited to hourly on weekends and off-peak).
If there’s a wait, Steyne Park is a nice place to relax with a coffee, a bite to eat, or even a paddle at the nearby harbour beach.
The ferry ride back offers a chance to retrace much of your route from the water, seeing the harbour, Opera House and Bridge from a slightly different angles.
Views of Fort Denison and the Opera House on the return journey
You could combine this walk with the Milsons Point to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair loop which starts from Kirribilli and includes a walk over the Harbour Bridge.
DIRECTIONS & ACCESS
- Starting point: Circular Quay Wharf
- Finish: Double Bay Wharf (ferry return to Circular Quay)
- Public transport: Trains and ferries to Circular Quay; ferries from Double Bay
- Parking: Limited and paid around Circular Quay; easier parking options near Double Bay if walking in reverse
- Track type: Paved foreshore paths, shared paths, streets and stairs
- Facilities: Toilets at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, Rushcutters Bay Park and Double Bay
Access to Mrs Macquarie’s Point is occasionally restricted during major events — follow detour signage via Mrs Macquarie’s Road if needed.
IN THE AREA
- Swimming: Andrew Boy Charlton Pool; harbour beaches near Double Bay (best at low tide)
- Cafes & food: Woolloomooloo Wharf, Beare Park Cafe, Navy Bear Cafe, Double Bay
- Parks & gardens: Royal Botanic Gardens, Arthur McElhone Reserve, Beare Park, Rushcutters Bay Park, Yarranabbe Park, Steyne Park
- Arts & culture: Sydney Opera House; Art Gallery of NSW (short detour)
- Side walks: Can be linked with the Milsons Point to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair loop via the Harbour Bridge
PRACTICAL TIPS
- Access to Mrs Macquarie’s Point is sometimes closed for seasonal events. If this happens, look for signs to steps leading up to Mrs Macquarie’s Road where you can rejoin the path.
- There are stairs at several points along the route, including the McElhone Stairway and park access paths.
- Carry water — shade is limited in parts.
- Check ferry timetables in advance, particularly outside peak hours.
*Sometimes the access to Mrs Macquarie‘s Point is closed for seasonal events. If so, look for signs to steps that will take you up to Mrs Macquaries Road where you can rejoin the path.