The GreenWay is a 6km route through Sydney’s inner west between the Cooks River and Iron Cove. It provides a safer route for walking, running, and riding along a corridor that features bushcare sites, parks, playgrounds, and public art.
The GreenWay is a testament to the value of community organising. Local residents, environmentalists, bushcare volunteers, and cycling groups all played a vital role in the project over more than two decades from vision to fruition.
The project faced many challenges over the years, but we enjoy the GreenWay today thanks to the ongoing resolve of the community combined with support and funding from local, state, and federal governments.
In this guide you’ll learn about how to navigate the GreenWay, highlights you’ll experience along the way, plus answers to common questions.
| Distance: | 6km point-to-point |
| Start: | Parramatta River at Iron Cove |
| End: | Cooks River at Ewen Park |
| Public Transport: | Light rail (stops from Dulwich Hill to Hawthorne) Train stations at Dulwich Hill, Lewisham, Summer Hill |
| Water: | Water fountains and bubblers are located in various parks along the route |
| Toilets: | Richard Murden Reserve Hudson Street Park Johnson Park Jack Shanahan Reserve Ewen Park |
| Top Tip: | Make this walk your own. Enter or exit at one of the points along the way, or extend your walk at either end – joining The Bay Run at Iron Cove, or the Two Valley Trail at the Cooks River. |
The GreenWay Overview
The GreenWay is a route for walkers, runners, and bike riders through Sydney’s inner west between the Cooks River and Iron Cove.
It can be enjoyed in either direction. In this guide, the GreenWay route is described beginning at Iron Cove and ending at the Cooks River.
The Iron Cove end of the GreenWay begins at a junction with The Bay Run, near the Lilyfield footbridge. You’ll take the path down under the Lilyfield footbridge and follow the route alongside the Hawthorne Canal through Richard Murden Reserve.
At Marion Street, you’ll take the road crossing to reconnect with the shared path on the other bank of the Hawthorne Canal. The section of the GreenWay after Marion Street through to Gadigal Reserve enjoys lots of shade from the trees lining the paved path.
In Gadigal Reserve you’ll pass some of the GreenWay’s artworks: Sedimentary Earth Core by Benjamin Muir and Ngaraora (Glossy Black Cockatoo) by Jasmine Sarin. Next you’ll reach the Lewisham Viaduct and Longport Street tunnel.
The GreenWay continues as a shared pedestrian and cycle path past another artwork, Connected Histories by James Gulliver Hancock, and then the old Flour Mills.
When you reach Old Canterbury Road you’ll cross at the traffic lights and follow Weston Street to reconnect with the shared path near Waratah Mills light rail stop.
You’ll pass through the Davis Street tunnel, its walls showcasing artwork Dance of the Ghost Fungus by Floria Tosca.
It’s not long before the GreenWay passes through Johnson Park with its playground and artwork Birds of a Feather by Carla Gottgens. You’ll leave Johnson Park behind as you enter the Constitution Road tunnel observing the mural, A Wild Life by OxKing.
At Hercules Street, you’ll use a pedestrian crossing to reconnect with the GreenWay’s dedicated shared path. This stretch of the GreenWay is home to two more pieces of public art, Hourglass Tree by Mark O’Ryan and Goods Stuff by James Voller.
The final stretch of the GreenWay — from near Jack Shanahan Reserve in Dulwich Hill through to Ewen Park on the Cooks River — is on signposted streets. The shared path ends and you’ll cross Ewart Street using the pedestrian crossing into Ness Avenue.
Cyclists can use the road while walkers and runners can use the footpath to navigate from here to the Cooks River. Follow Ness Avenue, turning left into Garnet Street, and then crossing the road into Ewen Park on Tennent Parade.
You’ll see a signpost for the Cooks River end of the GreenWay between the Ewen Park skate park and Lang Road Bridge. At this point you can return the way you came, or continue on the shared path along the Cooks River.
The Two Valley Trail passes the Cooks River at the Lang Road Bridge, in case you’re up for a longer walk towards either Campsie, or Bexley North via Wolli Creek.
Maps & Navigation
The GreenWay is a well signposted 6km point-to-point (or 12km return) walk between the Cooks River and Iron Cove. The route is almost entirely along an off-road shared pedestrian and cycle path, with a few road crossings, and short sections along residential streets.
The maps produced by the Inner West Council provide an overview of the route together with the locations of key landmarks and amenities including public art, playgrounds, public transport links, and toilets.
You can also use this Google Map to see the GreenWay route:
Road Crossings
While most of the GreenWay follows a dedicated shared path for walkers and cyclists, there are some sections that require a road crossing as well as two sections along residential streets.
The road crossings on the GreenWay are located at:
- Marion Street (traffic lights)
- Old Canterbury Road (traffic lights, though there are funded plans for a tunnel here)
- Hercules Street (cycleway/pedestrian crossing)
- Ewart Street (cycleway/pedestrian crossing)
The residential street sections of the GreenWay are located at:
- Weston Street
- Ness Avenue, Garnet Street, Tennent Parade
Navigation is helped by the wayfinding signs located along the Greenway route, including in places where the shared path crosses roads and follows residential streets.
Facilities
The GreenWay is an urban route through an area of Sydney’s inner west from the Cooks River at Hurlstone Park to Iron Cove in Lilyfield, which means you’re never far from facilities such as shops, drinking water, and public toilets.
Cafes & Shops
You’ll find cafes and shops in locations along the GreenWay, including at:
- Haberfield Rowers Club (3 minutes walk from the start of the route at the Iron Cove end)
- Cafe Bones, Leichhardt
- MarketPlace Leichhardt (8 minutes walk from Marion Street crossing)
- Moulin Cafe, Headlands Coffee, The Granary Cafe near Lewisham West light rail stop
- Cafe Calibre near Arlington light rail stop
Drinking Water
Drinking water fountains are located along the GreenWay including alongside the path in various locations, and within the parks that are located alongside the path.
You also have the option to purchase water and other drinks at the cafes and shops located close to the GreenWay route.
Toilets
Public toilets are located in various places along the GreenWay, including at:
- Richard Murden Reserve
- Hudson Street Park
- Johnson Park
- Jack Shanahan Reserve
- Ewen Park
Bike Repair Stations
Riding your bike on the GreenWay? The Bike Repair Stations are a useful feature you’ll notice dotted along the GreenWay route.
The GreenWay Highlights
The GreenWay’s construction made disused areas accessible via pathways that, in part, follow the corridor of what was once a goods line and is now the inner west light rail.
It also included investment in public art along the route, including in the tunnels, making these now pedestrianised areas not just functional, but aesthetically compelling too.
This approach, together with waterways, bushcare sites, historic landmarks, and parks make the GreenWay a walking and cycling route with many highlights to enjoy along the way.
Long Cove Creek Railway Viaduct
The original Long Cove Creek railway viaduct (sometimes called the ‘Lewisham Viaduct’) was opened in 1855.
During its construction in 1854, Sydney newspaper the Empire described the project as one of “stupendous magnitude”, reporting that the viaduct would become “largest solid bridge in the colony” upon its completion.
“The construction of a viaduct at Long Cove Creek, to carry the railroad across this gully, has proved the most formidable undertaking along the line. A bridge was required to connect opposite elevations of three hundred feet distance, and at a height of sixty feet from the bed of the creek. Eight brick arches were to be turned upon solid massive stone piers.”
Empire newspaper, Saturday 10 June 1854
By the 1880s, the stone and brick viaduct required replacing, and the next iteration of the viaduct used wrought iron Whipple Trusses. The replacement viaduct was used from 1886 until 1993.
Today, the significance of the viaduct is noted on the state heritage inventory and recognised with a Historic Engineering Marker. When on the GreenWay, you’ll see remnants of the 1886 viaduct if you look up before you enter the Longport Street tunnel.
Also worth keeping an eye out for as you enter the Longport Street tunnel is the Gadigal Mural by Tim Phibs, P. J. Simon, Kevin May, and Joanne Cassady. This work “remembers the waterway originally known as Long Cove Creek”.
GreenWay Public Art
Gadigal Mural is not the only art you’ll have the pleasure of witnessing along the GreenWay.
The GreenWay features a number of works of art that contribute to the experience and beautification of the corridor.
The Flour Mills
An interesting heritage landmark you’ll pass on the GreenWay is the former Flour Mill near Lewisham West light rail stop.
Constructed in 1921 alongside what was then a goods line, the mill operated until 2009. The former flour mill site has since been transformed into a mixed use commercial and residential precinct. Pop in to Headlands Coffee for a closer look at the old buildings.
Inner West GreenWay FAQs
When did the Inner West GreenWay open?
The GreenWay was officially opened on Sunday 14 December 2025, with a community celebration at Johnson Park in Dulwich Hill.
How long is the GreenWay?
The GreenWay is approximately 6km, or 12km return.
Where does the Inner West GreenWay go?
The GreenWay is a route through Sydney’s inner west that connects the Cooks River at Hurlstone Park to Iron Cove in Lilyfield.
Is the Inner West GreenWay pram and wheelchair friendly?
The GreenWay is a route that follows paved surfaces along areas that are predominantly shared paths, with a few sections connected by footpaths along quiet residential streets. There are minimal road crossings (and all at either traffic lights or pedestrian crossings) and minimal gentle gradients to navigate. The path is sufficiently wide for multiple people to pass in either direction. These factors contribute to making the GreenWay accessible to parents with prams or people using wheelchairs.
Can I ride my bike on the Inner West GreenWay?
Yes the GreenWay is bike friendly. Much of the GreenWay follows a shared path designed for walking and bike riding. In the sections where the route follows a residential street, bike riders can use the roadway, as marked by local signage.
Is the GreenWay dog friendly?
If you’re looking for another dog friendly walk in Sydney, you’ll love the GreenWay. Leashed dogs are welcome on the inner west GreenWay. The route has lots of parks to enjoy along the way, including off-leash dog parks at Lewisham West, Gadigal Reserve, and Hawthorne Canal Reserve.
