I’m going to let you into a secret. Just lately, my childhood fear of heights has resurfaced. It’s extended to bridges- especially those ones that curve up and across and you can’t see the other side of. It’s also extended to flyovers- you know, those roads and paths that curve up and around. I freak out and freeze up. I have no idea where it’s come from.
I felt it today.
To get onto the Anzac Bridge you have to climb one. It’s perfectly safe and people do it all the time. I didn’t breathe until I was up on the bridge itself. Stupid, I know.
Once on the bridge, I was ok- as long as I didn’t look up. OMG, looking up! What a view, but seriously disorientating.
The walking/cycling path is thankfully wide, with thankfully wide boundaries between you and the traffic, and thankfully full length heavy duty boundaries between you and the water below. I told you it freaked me out!
Anyways, we started the walk on Anzac Bridge. You get to it by walking up Saunders St Pyrmont- just across the road from the Fish Market tram stop.
At the end of the bridge, take the stairs down and around to your left. You’ll double back a little before turning right onto James Craig Rd.
Now, this end of town is not at all glamorous. This used to be maritime industry stuff- and is still, in parts a bit of a shipyard junkyard…in parts.
Also at this end, is the marina they put in for the so called super yachts during the Sydney Olympics, and where the Sydney Heritage Fleet does their restoration work.
Follow James Craig Rd up as far as The Crescent.
There’s this mural that runs the length of this strip- it shows the history of the area, the ships, the city, the bridges, and more. By the time you’re past the mural, you’re into the park and the foreshore.
This is where this walk becomes relaxing. Jubilee and Federal Park are virtually merged to form one foreshore area. Johnson Creek separates the two, although this is really a storm-water canal. If you wanted to follow it away from the water, you’d eventually come to Harold Park, the home of harness racing.
Anyways, this area used to be an industrial wasteland of timber yards and even an old oil depot. These days it’s a lovely park, with playgrounds, lawns for picnicking and access to the water for playful pooches.
There’s also some mighty fine looking inner city apartments with mega views of the Anzac Bridge and beyond to the Harbour Bridge.
At the rowing sheds at the end of Ferry Rd, we leave the foreshore to walk up Ferry Rd, left onto Taylor St, and left again onto Bridge Rd…taking us past Wentworth Park (on the right) and into the Fish Markets.
Too easy. Oh, and we’re having salmon for dinner…
How far is it?
Around 5kms. Ignore what the map my run screenprint says- I reckon it’s faulty…besides, I googled it and lots of people say it’s faulty 🙂
How hard is it?
I’d rank this as being easy.
The only real climb is the curving ramp to bring you up onto the Anzac Bridge.
Oh, and there’s a little one as you come briefly off the foreshore up Ferry Rd beside the Blackwattle Secondary College and onto Taylor St.
Allow 90 minutes to allow for ambling, photos, and atching dogs play in filthy water.
What about the paths?
The entire track is well and evenly paved. In most cases, you’re sharing with cyclists, so remember to keep left- and listen for the bells.
Dog Friendly?
Yep, with leash free areas. This is a doggy paradise, with the council thoughtfully leaving dog bowls under the water bubblers, and bins to deposit your little plastic bags.
Toilets?
Yep. There’s some at the start at the Fish Markets, and apparently some at the park- although I didn’t see them…but seriously, it’s 5kms- even I can hang on for that…maybe not.
Coffee?
Nothing on the path itself, but plenty of options at the Fish Markets. Also, there’s Blackwattle Café at Glebe. It’s set in the renovated heritage (1896) building Bellevue Cottage.
Eats?
The above-mentioned Blackwattle Café.
The Fish Markets has plenty of options. Most of the seafood outlets also sell ready made mini fresh or fried platters that you can eat under the umbrellas out the back.
There’s also a few restaurants, including a Doyles. Our favourite is usually The Deep– we pick up a bottle of wine at Fishermans Fine Wines, buy a kilo of prawns, some oysters and maybe a salad from The Deep and eat at their tables.
Don’t forget…
A hat, sunscreen and water….There is no shade along this track. Also, if you’re taking home fresh seafood, don’t forget a cool bag.
Getting there…
After you’ve been there for an hour, parking at the Fish Markets can get very expensive very quickly. Driving is not, however, your only option.
Sydney Light Rail: The light rail or “tram” runs every 10-15 minutes from Central, Haymarket or Darling Harbour to the Fish Markets.
Bus: Regular buses run from the city to Pyrmont, leaving you with a short walk down to the markets.
Check out 131500 to plan your trip.
By boat: It’s seriously cool to arrive by boat. We did it once when my brother in law got his hands on his parents boat. We moored at the Fish Markets, grabbed some seafood and ate it elsewhere. Casual berthing is available for up to 2 hours.
And Anyways... 
It looks like a lovely walk! (Though I may well need a loo within a 5km walk!)