Double Bay: Gardens, Art and Walks

Double Bay can be explored through a range of travel interests: Steyne Park is a place for picnics and sports such as hockey and cricket, while the Double Bay Tree Trail runs through the area and on to Edgecliff. Around Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, contemporary art, historic garden features and several named places come together. When planning your stay, you can consider these attractions separately: park activities and water access, routes through Double Bay, and culture and gardens.

Park, sports and water access

Steyne Park is located on the waterfront in Double Bay. It is ideal for picnics and offers sporting facilities for activities such as hockey and cricket. Public water access for non-motorised watercraft is also available at the boat ramp beside the Double Bay Sailing Club. Check local conditions before use. For travel planning, these are two distinct options: picnics and the sports mentioned are associated with the park, while public access for watercraft is at the boat ramp. The restriction to non-motorised craft applies specifically to this access.

Walks through Double Bay and beyond

The Double Bay Tree Trail is about 2 kilometres long. It starts at Redleaf Beach and Blackburn Gardens, then runs through Double Bay and up Ocean Avenue to Edgecliff. Its approximate length provides a guide for planning your route, while the named starting points and endpoint help you understand its course. The trail therefore connects a section through Double Bay with a further stretch to Edgecliff.

Another route is the Harbour Walk from Rushcutters Bay to Rose Bay, which passes Steyne Park in Double Bay. The two walks can be distinguished by their respective features: for the Tree Trail, these are its approximate length, starting points and route to Edgecliff; for the Harbour Walk, they are its endpoints and the section by Steyne Park. When planning, you can consider which places a route connects and how it relates to Double Bay.

Art and culture around Redleaf

Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf is the centrepiece of a cultural precinct in Double Bay. The precinct also includes the Council Chambers, Blackburn Gardens, Murray Rose Pool, Redleaf Beach and a kiosk. The gallery presents contemporary art exhibitions, artist residencies and public programs throughout the year. Individual exhibitions and dates may change; check the current program before visiting. The year-round program and changing individual dates offer different points to consider when planning your trip: you can include the gallery as a cultural highlight and plan a specific visit around the program at the time.

Historic garden features and notable trees

The Council Chambers were built in 1863; the kiosk is also part of the cultural precinct. Blackburn Gardens is a restored historic garden with a manicured lawn, Secret Garden, sundial and water feature. The garden’s restored character and individual elements offer different aspects to explore: the history of the grounds sits alongside the details that give the garden its distinctive character.

Several trees along the Double Bay Tree Trail are listed on the Significant Tree Register. The register recognises and protects trees with special historical, social or botanical value. As well as following a route, the trail offers a connection to the trees recognised by the register. Together, the park, walks, cultural precinct and garden show the range of attractions Double Bay offers for planning your trip.

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For the overarching travel overview: Sydney.