After a long time I was once again in Sydney. I wanted to do a hike near the city and through the suburbs of Sydney for a long time. For this purpose, the Cooks river walking track is wonderful, because it goes over 15 km far north always along the river and later a small rivulet through park-like landscapes. This walk took place in October 2022.
Flowing quietly through Sydney’s inner west, the Cooks River may not be as famous as the city’s sparkling harbour or iconic beaches, but it offers a completely different perspective on life in Australia’s largest city. A walk along the river reveals hidden parks, historic sites, birdlife, and a surprising sense of calm right in the middle of urban bustle. In this video, we take you on a journey along the Cooks River, discovering its natural beauty, cultural history, and the communities that line its banks.
The Cooks River Walkway stretches for more than 23 kilometres, beginning near Strathfield and winding all the way to Botany Bay, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. The path follows the river through suburbs, wetlands, and parklands, linking playgrounds, picnic areas, and cycleways. It is popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists, but it never feels overcrowded – instead, it feels like a green corridor running quietly through Sydney.
Starting upstream, the river passes through leafy parks shaded by eucalypts, casuarinas, and paperbarks. Families gather for picnics, kids ride bikes, and locals fish along the banks. The water reflects the sky and trees, creating a sense of peace in contrast to the traffic and trains that are never far away. Walking here, you sense how important this river is as an escape, a place where people can breathe.
The Cooks River has a long and complex history. For the Eora people, it was a vital resource, providing fish, plants, and a connection to country. After European colonisation, the river was heavily modified, its wetlands drained and its banks industrialised. For decades, it suffered from pollution. But in recent years, community groups and councils have worked hard to restore it. Wetlands have been revived, mangroves replanted, and birdlife has returned. Today, you may spot herons, cormorants, pelicans, or even kingfishers along the walk. It’s a story of resilience – not just for the river, but for the people who care for it.
As you walk downstream, the river passes through suburbs like Canterbury, Marrickville, and Tempe, each with its own character. Marrickville is known for its multicultural food scene – Vietnamese bakeries, Greek cafés, and craft breweries sit just a short detour from the path. Tempe Reserve, with its wide open fields and dog-friendly spaces, is a popular meeting place. Here the river widens, and you can often see rowers gliding across the water at dawn.
Further along, the path brings you to the rejuvenated wetlands near Sydney Airport. Planes roar overhead, yet pelicans wheel across the sky, and reeds sway in the breeze. This striking contrast between nature and modern infrastructure shows how the river survives and adapts, even in the heart of a busy city. Finally, the Cooks River reaches Botany Bay, a place of enormous historical importance. This is where Captain Cook landed in 1770, forever changing the course of Australian history. Standing here, you reflect not only on the beauty of the river, but also on the stories – Indigenous, colonial, and modern – that it carries.
Walking the Cooks River is less about dramatic landscapes and more about discovery. It is about seeing Sydney from another angle – one shaped by ordinary life, by community, by resilience. It is about noticing details: the flash of a bird’s wing, the sound of kids playing in a riverside park, the layers of history etched into the land.
For visitors to Sydney, the Cooks River offers an accessible, off-the-beaten-path experience. You can walk the whole length in a day if you wish, or explore smaller sections at your own pace. Public transport connects easily with the walkway, making it simple to join or leave the path wherever you choose. Pack water, wear comfortable shoes, and allow yourself time to stop and enjoy the parks and cafés along the way.
So why walk along the Cooks River? Because it shows a different side of Sydney – a city not just of icons and skylines, but of green spaces, communities, and quiet waterways. It’s a journey that connects past and present, nature and suburbia, people and place. By the time you reach Botany Bay, you’ll have walked not just along a river, but through the heart of Sydney itself.
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