Overview
The Bay Run is one of Sydney's most idyllic stretches of tarmac, skirting the inner-west's waterfront through suburbs like Leichhardt, Drummoyne, Russell Lea and Rozelle. Yet a just-released announcement is set to make Callan Park in Lilyfield an even more popular destination along the route, thanks to a brand-new $3.8 million swimming spot — the Callan Park Tidal Baths.
Whether you're rising early to beat your course record or taking a stroll with friends (keep to the left, please), you'll soon be welcome to cool off with a dip. Made possible by a partnership between the NSW Government and the Inner West Council, the project was first explored in 2018, with long-held plans for the Iron Cove foreshore finally getting the go-ahead.
Included in the design, the future Callan Park Tidal Baths will feature an accessible pathway and ramp alongside a generous fixed jetty, pontoon and shark net. Closely integrated with the surrounding parkland, the aim is to deliver a family-oriented recreation facility ripe for safe and accessible swimming for the whole community.
"The iconic Bay Run and surrounding parklands are already a community hub for family fun, sport, relaxation and exercise, so adding a swim spot where people can cool off in summer will be the perfect addition to an already thriving public space," says Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.
So, when can you slide into your togs? Once the final approvals are in place, construction on the Callan Park Tidal Baths is expected to take around six months. That means you should be able to enjoy a post-run swim by the time summer in 2026 comes around. In the meantime, Greater Sydney Parklands is preparing a Callan Park Foreshore Master Plan for community consultation in the coming months.
"The Callan Park Tidal Baths will be a spectacular addition to the Bay Run, which is already one of the best-used recreation facilities in Sydney," says Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne. "This swim site is the next step in the incredible rehabilitation of the Parramatta River and will attract swimmers and families from all over the Inner West to take a dip in Callan Park."
The Callan Park Tidal Baths are expected to open by summer 2026. Head to the website for more information.
Image: NSW Inner West Council