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Sydney · Route card

Centennial Park loop

Sydney's classic park circuit

running2explore.com

Terrain map of Centennial Park loop showing the real GPX route, kilometre markers and photo stops
Coral: GPX route · numbered circles: kilometres · A–H: photo stops · S/F: start and finish

Distance

3.78 km

Elevation

16 m

Time

18–25 min

Type

Loop · Easy

Course overview

The car-free Grand Drive circuit through Centennial Parklands. Flat, shaded by huge figs and paperbarks, with ponds on the southern side and runners on it at every hour of the day.

  1. 0 kmGrand Drive — Start near the Paddington Gates and run the loop anti-clockwise.
  2. 1 kmFig avenue — Shaded, flat and the fastest section.
  3. 2 kmPonds — Open water and birdlife on the southern side.
  4. 3 kmHomestead side — Cafe and toilets a few steps off the loop.
  5. 3.8 kmLoop complete — Add laps — most runners do two or three.

Photo stops on the map

  • AFig canopy on Grand Drive — Early morning

Local knowledge

Best time
Early morning or evening; the park gates close overnight.
Transport
Buses along Oxford Street to the Paddington Gates.
Water
Bubblers at regular intervals beside Grand Drive.
Toilets
Several amenities blocks around the loop.
Parking
Free parking inside the park, off Grand Drive.
Safety
Shared with cyclists, walkers and horses — runners keep to the outer track and stay left.

Local tip: One lap is 3.8 km, so it is the easiest place in Sydney to run an exact distance.