Rushcutters Bay Park

I could have spent hours here just sitting watching the passing crowd. The day was so beautiful, lovely sunny weather and a perfect blue sky. The boats were moored along the wharf and owners were scrubbing the decks, hoisting the sails and polishing the silver to serve the friends who were accompanying them out to a watery lunch expedition.

Rushcutters Bay Park has a few hidden gems (ok maybe not that hidden) that are great if you are active or not.
The monkey bars at the south end are actually a great area to do a workout. Watch out for peak hour — right after work — sometimes there are groups of people being coached in that area so you might need to wait for specific stations.
There are tennis courts at the south west side of the park — book them online but if you try for early evening there are some people that have standard bookings each week. Later at night is good since they have a great lighting system. Even better is during the day with fewer people around. There is a café here that is decent for a coffee but there are so many other coffee shops nearby that you may want to walk a bit.
At the Cruising Yacht Club there is a restaurant as well. Fantastic outdoor deck seating and fish and chips are ok. Of course nice cold beer is available as well. You can get reservations and some weekends are very busy. Never tried the indoor seating (why would you when you are by the harbour?).
The whole park is dog friendly so be prepared for some visitors if you are having a picnic. Some dogs running ‘free-​range’ but never had a problem. Just make some new friends.

I’ve walked through this park dozens of times and always loved it, but I have a new found appreciation now that I have a puppy.
Rushcutters has a secret community of dog lovers and owners. Okay maybe it isn’t so secret, but I’m finally part of the club now that I have a dog of my own. All the owners are very friend, y and my little Winston has a great time whenever we go.
If you’re in the neighborhood and have a dog, definitely check out rushcutters!

Maybe it’s because Rushcutters was my local park upon first moving to Sydney and I’m first-​impression-​biased, but I have no qualms in saying that this easily one of the most wonderful parks in the entire city.
1-​star off because of no (swimming) water access. Other than that, it’s perfection in a park. Excellent work out classes that will inspire you to work a bit harder even if you’re not participating (or inspire you to eat a few more picnic cookies in honor of those poor souls… whatever), a café, tennis courts, a beautiful running/​walking path and loads of empty green space great for dogs, frisbees, laying out in the sun, or all of the above.
Basically, it’s impossible not to toast to the sweet life from this locale.

One thing for sure I’ve never met a rush cutter but I can imagine that this would be a perfect place for them. Rushcutters’ Park is now beautiful and safe (cause when I was young, it wasn’t). Its green lawns, cricket ground, tennis courts and the shore walkway (all the way to Yarranabbe Park) with parts leading to a harbour view are qualities to love this park. Great for picnics, especially if you in the local area. Buy a sandwich or coffee from the kiosk and just relax with a book under a tree. Just perfect. What better place then to cut away the rush of your week.

Rushies a beaut park and its got it all!
Maybe its missing a beach but follow me on this journey through parkland review and you’ll win a beautiful nugget of pro tip ala Den.
So you like tennis? Or running? Soccer? Dogs? Cricket? Sunbathing? OK maybe walking by the harbour side? Doing stretches? Boot camp? Sitting on a bench? Looking at rays? Looking at boats? Looking at some of the smallest dogs that could be eaten by gerbils in a fit of rage?
Yep rushcutters truly has it all.
(INCOMING DEN PRO TIP ALERT)
Except a beach I hear you say… yeh well to be honest swimming in the harbour is overated! You need to get into paddling.
(PRO TIP IN NEXT PARAGRAPH)
Yep keep walking round rush cutters past the yacht club past the old yellow building and you’ll find a peaceful little pontoon.
Its usually deserted and is the perfect spot on a warm evening to take ya thongs (Dear British reader this means exactly what you think it means) off and dip your feet in the water.
Its a nice place to relax with friends and chat or bring valued international business colleauges as you gaze upon the beautiful Elizabeth Bay House and further on across Garden Island and the Coat Hanger.
Just watch out if its dusk as that’s when the sharks go shopping!

For those living in the inner-​city and craving some fresh air and greenery, Rushcutters Bay Park is perfect. Sitting right next to the water, you can see out to the harbour and watch the boats come and go. It’s got a cute little café that can get super busy but does some decent coffee, and there’s plenty of open lawn for lying down with a book or a picnic. There are also tennis courts and a cricket pitch, plus a recently renovated playground for the kids. There’s a great walking track which takes you from the Elizabeth Bay stairs to the end of the point — a perfect little stroll for a Sunday afternoon. You can also bring your dog; they’re allowed here any time if they’re on a leash, and can run free between 4.30pm and 8.30am each day. Interestingly, Rushcutters got its name rather literally.
Random trivia fact: Apparently back in the day the bay was full of reeds and the convicts would come to cut them in order to make roof thatching.

Some parks have cafes. Some have playgrounds. Some (if not most) have large grassy areas to run around. But how many have all of these, plus tennis courts, sports fields, and is on the water front? Well Rushcutters Bay Park seems to have it all.
Only issue is that a tonne of people know it. I have been here on a few weekends where everything seems to be happening at the same time. Feel like a coffee? Join the line. Need the toilet? Wait your turn. Though that said, this park is a great place to just chill out. So don’t rush… just take your time and you’ll get there in the end.
It is also useful to know that there are a set of stairs that take you straight into Elizabeth Bay (if you are coming from that direction). Also if you head in this direction you’ll see a mass of exercise equipment that is quite popular with runners in the mornings and on the weekends.
Check it out. You wont be disappointed.

There is nothing nicer than spending a sunny afternoon in Rushcutters — the fabulous view of the bay, complete with yachts and little boats bobbing on the water, dogs frantically paddling after sticks and joggers panting along the path. A great place to come for a quiet moment with a book, or for a picnic with friends. It gets quite busy on the weekend as everyone has the same clever idea: a group of friends, a checked picnic rug and a chilled bottle of wine. There is no better way to unwind.
In the morning, you can see groups of sweaty keep-​fitters being haranged my motivational personal trainers, plenty of dog walkers clutching tennis balls and babies being pushed in prams. I love coming down here to watch the passers by and breathe in lungfuls of fresh sea air. The view of the harbour bridge is pretty fabulous, too.

The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting, the water is, erm, wet. Nothing beats a stroll through Rushcutters Bay Park on a warm, spring day. Located between the busy New South Head Road and a calm, yacht-​filled, area of the harbour, the park is a hubbub of activity, be it friends hanging out with a few beers (not sure if that’s legal or not) or families with young children enjoying the vast expanse of inner-​city grassland. It can get busy without feeling overcrowded, and the breeze off the harbour is also a pleasant addition.
For families, there is the playground which was recently redeveloped, which means that it should still be in pristine condition — although not having any kids myself I would look a bit strange if I was wondering around inspecting the equipment (not sure that’s legal either). There’s also a café located, conveniently, right in the middle of the park.
So, come the next warm day and you’re in the area or just fancy a change from the overcrowded beaches, then head down to the park and soak up some sun (after applying sun-​cream of course!).