Looking for a refreshing outdoor escape close to home? Lace up your sneakers, pack some snacks, and head to Centennial Park for a peaceful yet adventure-filled walk that winds through one of Sydney’s most beautiful green spaces.

The Ponds and Perimeter Loop is a stunning 9.3-kilometre walking trail that gently guides you through shady groves, past tranquil ponds, and along quiet outer paths that many park-goers never reach. It’s a perfect weekend activity for families with older kids, mums with prams, or anyone craving some fresh air and calm within the eastern suburbs.

Highlights along the way include:

  • Busbys Pond, where ducks, turtles, and cormorants bask and play.

  • A detour through the blooming Rose Garden — a must-see when in season.

  • Willow Pond and Paperbark Grove, two peaceful corners that feel like secret hideaways.

  • Picnic-friendly lawns near Federation Pavilion, Model Yacht Pond, and Reservoir Fields.

  • A peek at the Belvedere Amphitheatre, Ranger’s Residence, and Busby’s Bore Cairn — rich with local history.

Whether you’re after a long walk, a family bike ride, or a series of mini-adventures with plenty of places to pause, Centennial Park’s Perimeter Loop delivers.

📍 Start Point: Randwick Gates
🚶 Distance: 9.3km loop
☕ Nearby stop: Grab a coffee or bite at Centennial Homestead
🚻 Facilities: Toilets, playgrounds, BBQs, and picnic shelters near the Paddington Gates

Your Kilometre-by-Kilometre Guide

1km
Take a short detour to Busbys Pond, where ducks glide across the water and purple swamphens forage among the reeds. You might spot a cormorant drying its wings or turtles sunbaking on a log. If time allows, visit the nearby Rose Garden, especially beautiful when in bloom.

2km
Stroll beneath a canopy of tall trees with birdsong overhead. Soon you’ll pass Centennial Homestead, a perfect spot for coffee or lunch, and continue onto open lawns with views of the Federation Pavilion — a great picnic stop.

3km
Pause by Willow Pond, where tree branches trail into the water and benches invite a break. This marks the end of the inner loop. At Darley and York Roads, veer onto the outer perimeter.

4km
Enjoy a more secluded stretch of trail, rich with birdsong and shady trees. Look out for cockatoos and lorikeets as you arrive at Model Yacht Pond, often visited by black swans and waterbirds.

5km
Approach the Woollahra Gates, with glimpses of the Belvedere Amphitheatre, a natural stage used for open-air events — or just quiet reflection.

6km
Reach Reservoir Fields, a wide green space sitting atop a still-functioning underground reservoir. Near Paddington Gates, find a playground, BBQs, toilets and picnic shelters.

7km
Wander through Paperbark Grove, a beloved tree-lined avenue planted in 1899. Nearby stands the Busby’s Bore Commemorative Cairn, honouring Sydney’s first major engineered water supply.

8km
Pass the Ranger’s Residence and wind down toward Kensington Ponds. This natural section is filled with frogs, dragonflies, and the occasional heron — wild and peaceful.

9km
Skirt the edge of Kensington Ponds and follow the Alison Road Shared Pathway for an easy return to Randwick Gates, where your 9.3km loop began.

Centennial Park’s Perimeter Loop is a gentle adventure that combines nature, heritage, and family-friendly discovery — all just moments from home. Why not make a day of it this weekend?

For more information about centennial parklands visit: Centennial Park Sydney

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by jay