Petersham Park
Petersham Park is a historic 6.6-hectare park in Sydney's Inner West, best known for its large unfenced off-leash dog area. It also hosts a cricket oval, the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre, a playground and BBQ areas, set among brush box and camphor laurel avenues.
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About Petersham Park
Off-Leash Dog Areas at Petersham Park
Petersham Park has a permanent off-leash dog zone in its south-west corner, near Wentworth and Brighton Streets, and that zone is open 24 hours a day. Timed off-leash areas cover the main grassy sections and open in the morning and evening. The park is completely unfenced and borders busy roads, so dog owners need to keep their dogs under close control near the boundaries. A dogs on-and-off-leash map shows which parts of the grounds apply to each rule before you visit.
Cricket Oval and Sports Ground at Petersham Park
Petersham Park has a sporting ground with a cricket oval that uses a turf wicket. Cricket is played on the oval in summer, and baseball is played over winter. The grounds include floodlighting, a grandstand, a scoreboard, changerooms and the D. Seddon Pavilion on the west side of the oval. Petersham Cricket Club has played at the park since the 1880s. Cricket legend Donald Bradman scored his first century in grade cricket here as an 18-year-old.
Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre at Petersham Park
The Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre is the swimming facility within Petersham Park, and it operates as a seasonal pool. The pool opened to the public in September 1962 and was named after Fanny Durack in 1999. A refurbishment between 2012 and 2014 replaced the original six-lane, 33-metre pool with an eight-lane, 25-metre pool. The aquatic centre sits alongside the park's sporting grounds and grandstand, giving visitors a swimming option within the same grounds.
Facilities at Petersham Park
Visitor tips for Petersham Park
- ✓Casual gatherings under 30 people usually need no booking, unless they bring entertainment or amusement devices, hire outside providers, or use an undercover bookable area.
- ✓Sporting grounds always require a booking, and bookings are not accepted within 7 days of the event date. Email parks@innerwest.nsw.gov.au for sporting ground and large-event enquiries, or parkbookings@innerwest.nsw.gov.au for casual event questions.
- ✓The Magic Yellow Bus visits the park weekly, offering free activities for children aged six and under.
Getting to Petersham Park
Petersham Park sits at West, Brighton and Station Streets, Petersham NSW 2049, about 6 km west of the Sydney CBD, between Trafalgar Street and West Street. The historic ANZAC Memorial gates stand at the Brighton Street entrance. Petersham train station is about a 4-minute walk away. On-site parking is listed, including a wheelchair-accessible car park.
Open in Google Maps →Frequently asked questions about Petersham Park
What facilities does Petersham Park have in Petersham NSW?
Petersham Park has a playground, BBQ and picnic areas, toilets, a cricket oval, floodlit sporting grounds, the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre, an outdoor fitness station and shaded paths. It also has a bandstand, gardens and an off-leash dog zone.
Is Petersham Park fenced, and is it safe for small dogs?
Petersham Park is completely unfenced and borders busy roads. Small dog owners should keep their dogs close, especially near the boundaries.
Can I have a BBQ or picnic at Petersham Park?
Yes, the park has a BBQ and a picnic area. Casual gatherings under 30 people usually need no booking.
What are the opening hours for Petersham Park?
Petersham Park is open 24 hours a day, every day. The permanent off-leash zone is also available 24/7.
How do I get to Petersham Park by public transport?
Petersham train station is about a four-minute walk from the park. The park is at West, Brighton and Station Streets.