Water and Walking Delights

Almost surrounded by water, Canada Bay offers a variety of foreshore walks to help you appreciate its water wonders. Walking in Canada Bay will help you feel refreshed and invigorated and you can also experience some wonderful views of Sydney.

A well known walking treat in Canada Bay is the Bay Run, a 7km trail around Iron Cove. To power walk non-stop around the Bay will take just over an hour. However, if it is your first time to the Bay Run, we recommend you take a lazy, long stroll and savour the experience.

Start your journey underneath the Iron Cove Bridge along Henley Marine Drive, named after Sir Thomas Henley described as "one of the most prominent figures in the public life of NSW". A plaque in his memory lies along the drive, which was largely built on reclaimed mud flats.

Follow the wide footpath around the mangrove-lined foreshores of Iron Cove. Along the way, indulge in the variety of splendid sceneries from city landscapes to luscious greenery. Take time to read the interpretive signs that provide interesting facts about the types of flora and fauna in the surrounding bay.

About half-way through the route, visit Rodd Park and appreciate a little history. The large sandstone cross at the park marks the site of the Rodd family mausoleum. At the top of Rodd Park, you'll find cool shelters and a great place to unwind. This nicely elevated area is a great lookout point to the city's skyline, wonderful waterways and Rodd Island, which was used in the 19th century by scientists sent by Louis Pasteur to investigate a way of eradicating rabbits. Today, it is a delightful recreational reserve belonging to the Sydney Harbour National Park.

Not far down from Rodd Park lies Timbrell Park providing plenty of flat open-field spaces for the whole family to enjoy a variety of ball games. From the park, it's about a 30-minute walk back to Iron Cove Bridge that links Drummoyne to Rozelle and was opened on 30th of July 1955 by Hon JJ Cahill, Premier & Colonial Treasurer. The bridge replaced the original that opened in 1882, which had carried mainline tramway services to Ryde.

Conclude your route back where you started at the Drummoyne Rowing Club overlooking Iron Cove Bay. It's a great opportunity to relax with a drink and listen to occasional live bands. Aqua Vista Restaurant is located in the Drummoyne Rowing Club. The restaurant offers an a-la-carte and bistro menu specializing in seafood. Unwind in this tranquil indoor and outdoor environment with uninterrupted views of Sisters Bay.

Alternatively, you can spend time in the Drummoyne Olympic Pool next door to the rowing club. This historic pool is set in a completely open environment on the water's edge.

Safe walking tips: Walk 30 minutes on most days in one go or in 10 minute lots; don't forget to use SPF 15 sunscreen and wear a hat; avoid the hottest times of the day; drink lots of fluid especially in warm weather; start slowly (and for shorter periods) if you haven't exercised recently, then increase distance and pace.