Dawes Point

Darling Harbour-close and city-dense, with Wentworth Park's green just over the road. Urban, studenty and handy for a quick lap between the high-rises.

King Street is tattooed, big-hearted and endlessly dog-friendly. Beer gardens, bookshops and pubs where the water bowl lands before the menu.

A harbourside park with marina views and off-leash green, a stroll from the city. Leafy, breezy and easy with a dog.

Inner-city grit turned good. Indie cafes, Redfern Park's open green and a crowd that walks its dogs proudly. Close to everything, easy on four legs.

Grand terraces, the famous Witches' Houses and quiet streets between Glebe and Leichhardt. A calmer slice of the inner west, made for an unhurried lap.

Old warehouses turned cafes and roasters, with foodie weekends and room to spread out. South Sydney's quiet upgrade, easy-going and dog-friendly.

Glebe's quieter neighbour, with Harold Park's tramshed eats and Federation terraces on leafy lanes. Village-small, walkable and reliably dog-friendly.

Chinatown's neon and night-market buzz at the city's edge, with Belmore Park close. Dense, lively and walkable for a quick lap.

Inner-west edge with Sydney Park's off-leash acres on one side and a craft-brewery strip on the other. Industrial bones, Newtown energy and plenty of green to burn off.

Tight, hilly and caffeinated. Darlo crams cafes, courtyards and dog-welcoming corners into every block. A short lead-walk from the city, big on character.