Sydenham

A quiet inner-west pocket of terraces and leafy lanes, between Summer Hill and Petersham. Low-key, walkable and easy with a dog.

The Inner West at its scruffy best: craft breweries, multicultural eats and Cooks River trails where dogs rule. Come for the dumplings, stay for the off-leash runs.

Cooks River-close and leafy, with foreshore paths and a quiet village pace. Walkable and made for a riverside lap.

Sydney's Little Italy: Norton Street espresso, gelato and Pioneers Memorial Park for the walk-off. Loud, warm and family-run, dog absolutely welcome.

Cooks River wetlands and a big riverside reserve, with off-leash green close by. Walkable and made for a riverside run.

Grand terraces, leafy streets and a quiet that belies how close Newtown sits. The inner west's calm side, made for an easy, unhurried walk.

A quiet, leafy inner-west pocket of village calm and easy streets. Walkable, low-key and easy with a dog.

The very tip of the peninsula, where ferries dock and Illoura Reserve hands you front-row harbour views. Tiny, historic and built for a slow waterfront wander.

The Balmain peninsula's leafy tip, with waterfront parks and ferry calm. Quiet, scenic and made for a slow harbour stroll.

A leafy inner-west village of cafes, quiet lanes and a friendly local pace. Walkable, low-key and reliably dog-welcoming.