The Traffic-Free Walk From Central Station to Circular Quay

Did you know it’s possible to walk from Sydney’s Central Station to Circular Quay without crossing a single road or waiting at any traffic lights?

This traffic-free route takes you along the edges of the city centre using pedestrian-friendly streets, squares, and pathways, making it one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to explore Sydney on foot.

We’re covering this urban walk in four sections. Use this interactive map to see the entire route on your phone.

1. Central Station to the Goods Line

We’re starting this walk from Central Station, where we’ll access the Goods Line, a partly elevated urban walkway that connects Central Station to the Darling Square area.

Finding the start of the Goods Line can be a bit tricky, as it’s poorly signposted. Look for signs to the underground Devonshire Street Tunnel at the southern end of the station.

Walk through the entire tunnel to Railway Square, then continue into the second section of the tunnel. This leads directly to the Goods Line, where you’ll see the old train tracks and a yellow UTS sign.

The Goods Line follows the route of an industrial railway that operated from the mid-19th century, running from Dulwich Hill to Central via the large rail yards at Rozelle and Darling Harbour.

The line closed in 1984, and following a major redevelopment that introduced educational, cultural, and media institutions, the area has been transformed into a pleasant urban and business hub.

The pedestrian walkway is well designed and features table tennis tables, bike paths, study pods, outdoor workspaces, playgrounds, and brightly coloured community tables.

At the end of the Goods Line, head down the stairs on the right to continue the walk towards Darling Square.

2. Darling Square to Darling Harbour

Okay, we did say this walk between Central Station and Circular Quay has no traffic lights, but that’s not completely true.

There is one cheeky little traffic light just after the Goods Line, where you need to cross Darling Drive to get onto Hay Street. From there, turn left into Darling Square.

The pedestrian path you’ll follow is called Tumbalong Boulevard, where you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants. Depending on the time of day, it’s a great spot for a lunch break.

Don’t forget to check out The Exchange, a spiralling, light-filled building wrapped in 20 km of light-coloured wood. It’s an eye-catching structure with a great food court inside.

From Darling Square, continue north along Tumbalong Boulevard, passing the ICC Sydney (International Convention Centre) on your left, and Tumbalong Park and Darling Quarter on your right.

Tumbalong Park has a giant playground, so if you’re walking with kids, this is a good place for them to have a play while you take a break.

From Tumbalong Park, the walk continues underneath the noisy Western Distributor and into the Darling Harbour area.

When you reach the waterfront, you can either turn left or right to walk around the bay towards Barangaroo. Turning left means crossing the Pyrmont Bridge. Turning right takes you past the Cockle Bay dining precinct. Either way works.

Before arriving in the Barangaroo area, you’ll pass a busy precinct with attractions such as SEA LIFE Sydney, Madame Tussauds, and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.

It’s a bit of a tourist trap, but it’s fun to walk through.

3. Barangaroo to Barangaroo Reserve

From the busy Darling Harbour area, the walking path leads into the Barangaroo precinct, passing the King Street ferry wharves.

This part of the city was once a neglected industrial port, but after a major redevelopment project, it has been transformed into a vibrant hub for business, entertainment, and leisure.

The redevelopment also made it possible to walk continuously along the foreshore from Woolloomooloo to the Anzac Bridge, a scenic 12 km urban foreshore walking track.

From the heart of Barangaroo, continue along the shoreline past Crown Towers and the Barangaroo Metro Station, heading towards Barangaroo Reserve.

Barangaroo Reserve is a beautifully designed Harbour foreshore park, with open landscaping, large grassy spaces, and a network of walking paths. We recommend sticking to the main path that curves around the reserve, with scenic Harbour views on your left.

At the northern end of the reserve is Marrinawi Cove, a sheltered 700-square-metre bay and swimming enclosure. Opened in 2023, it has quickly become a popular spot for both locals and visitors.

If you have time, a quick swim here is well worth it.

From Marrinawi Cove, the walking trail exits Barangaroo Reserve and continues into the cultural Walsh Bay precinct.

4. Walsh Bay to Circular Quay

The Walsh Bay precinct is a fairly quiet and somewhat undiscovered part of Sydney, home to small theatres, restaurants, cafes, and waterfront apartments.

Rather than walking along Hickson Road towards the Harbour Bridge, take the waterfront route instead, which offers a much more pleasant experience. You can get there by turning left just before Towns Place becomes Hickson Road.

Walsh Bay was once a commercial shipping port on Sydney Harbour, and has since been repurposed into a thriving arts and cultural hub. It’s a great area to walk through.

After you pass the fourth and final pier, you’ll be treated to impressive views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge right in front of you.

From there, follow the path alongside Hickson Road, under the Harbour Bridge, and onto Hickson Road Reserve. Here you’ll enjoy scenic views of the Opera House and Circular Quay.

Once you reach the Circular Quay ferry wharves, you’ll have plenty of options to continue your day in Sydney.

If you haven’t had lunch yet, there are many good pubs and cafes nearby in The Rocks. Or you can continue walking along the shoreline to the Botanic Garden via the Sydney Opera House, which is one of the most scenic walks in the city.

Otherwise, if you’re heading back to Central Station, the quickest and easiest option is the light rail along George Street.

Find more great city walks in Sydney with our guide.