Fresh air, exercise and front-row runway views
From paths along waterways to parkland loops, Sydney Airport’s surrounds are full of surprisingly scenic cycleways. And the bonus? They offer a front-row seat to the busiest airspace in Australia so you can watch aircraft taking off, landing or passing overhead.
Bicycle NSW has collaborated with the Sydney Airport comms team to showcase the best bike routes around the airport. These family-friendly rides are fun for both adults and kids, and all have standout plane spotting opportunities.
Alexandra Canal Cycleway – connecting to Mascot and Tempe
Distance: 5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Commuters, casual riders and dramatic plane spotting along the canal
Running alongside the Alexandra Canal, the new Sydney Gateway shared path provides a safe and scenic connection between Tempe Recreation Reserve, Mascot, and the two Sydney Airport terminals.
The walking and cycling path is flat, sealed and well lit, making it ideal for riders of all ages and abilities.
Plane spotting highlight:
The path offers clear views towards Sydney Airport and passing aircraft, making it a great option for riders wanting a mix of cycling and plane spotting. There are two rest areas with bubblers and shade, as well as a viewing platform right under the landing path.
For the most dramatic views, aim to ride along the Alexandra Canal Cycleway when planes are landing from north. Check out Flight Radar 24 to see what is happening in the sky (Image: Transport for NSW)
How to get there:
Catch the train to Mascot, Wolli Creek or Tempe stations. Alternatively, there is car parking at Tempe Recreational Reserve.
You can combine the Alexandra Canal Cycleway with a longer ride along the Cooks River Cycleway. Hugging the river, this is one of the Sydney’s best shared paths, passing through parks, wetlands and open green space. CycleSydney’s Cooks River & Gateway Airport Trail article has all the details.
Botany Bay Foreshore Ride – Wolli Creek to Kyeemagh
Distance: 5-10km
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Best for: Weekend rides, coastal views, café stops
Following the southern edge of Botany Bay, this ride blends foreshore cycling with aviation views like no other.
Starting near the airport’s southern perimeter and extending toward Brighton-Le-Sands, riders enjoy open coastal paths, water breezes and regular aircraft activity overhead.
Plane spotting highlight:
Departing aircraft often climb directly over Botany Bay, making this one of the most scenic departure-viewing spots in Sydney.
Looking towards Sydney Airport’s runway from Kyeemagh Beach (Image: Sydney Airport)
How to get there:
Catch the train to Wolli Creek or Tempe stations, or drive to the Botany Bay foreshore and use one of the public car parks.
Once on the foreshore path, you can continue south along the water’s edge all the way to Captain Cook Bridge and onto Shark Park in Woolooware – over 16km without crossing any roads! This is another of Sydney’s classic family-friendly rides. On the way back, check out the amazing new M6 Active Transport Corridor which opened in late 2025.
Bayside Council’s website has more information about cycling in Bayside.
Joseph Banks Park – a hidden corner of Botany Bay
Distance: Up to 5 km (depending on route)
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Families, recreational riders and close-up aircraft views
Joseph Banks Park is a favorite with local families. Stretching out along the foreshore, it offers views over Botany Bay to the runways. There is a network of shared walking and cycling paths and a fantastic new adventure playground.
Be sure to check out the life-sized statues of the gorillas and wild elephants—a quirky nod to the park’s history as a zoological garden!
Plane spotting highlight:
Cross the walking and cycling bridge over Foreshore Drive to the sandy foreshore where viewing areas and jetties provide good views of the action.
The Mill Stream Lookout is very close to eastern runway (Image: Bicycle NSW)
How to get there:
To pedal to the park, there is a back street cycle route that connects to the Wentworth Avenue shared path at Pagewood. Note that this is not suitable for children. Car parking is available at Joseph Banks Park.
Swap the traffic for fresh air and spectacular views
Alongside plane spotting, cycling to and around the airport is a great way to stay fit, be in nature and beat traffic.
Shweta Rattan, Sydney Airport’s Transport & Planning Manager, says what she loves most about cycling to work is the freedom it gives her.
“I’m on my own schedule, I get to connect with nature and the community around me, and it’s built-in exercise at the same time,” says Shweta.
“It’s really special being able to cycle this close to an airport. There aren’t many places where you can ride along an active transport route and see the runway and aircraft up close.”
Shweta from Sydney Airport rides to and from work every day, through open spaces, along the canal and under flight paths. It is a side of Sydney most people don’t get to experience (Image: Sydney Airport)
“Every ride is different depending on the time of day and what planes are coming in. Seeing aircraft overhead while riding along the shared paths is such a unique experience,” says Shweta.
To plan your route to and around Sydney Airport using bike-friendly connections, explore the excellent CycleSydney map. Transport for NSW's Cycleway Finder and the City of Sydney cycling map are also very useful resources.
The popular CycleSydney map shows 2000km of trails covering all of Sydney. It focuses on rides that are over 3km long and are either car-free or on low-traffic roads. Click the map above to open the interactive Google MyMap.
A significant advocacy win
“Bicycle NSW, alongside our network of affiliated local Bicycle User Groups, campaigned for the Alexandra Canal Cycleway over several years,” says Sarah Bickford, Bicycle NSW Bike Planner. “We are thrilled that such a high-quality facility was built by the Sydney Gateway project.
"The new shared path was finished in 2024. It is not just great for plane spotting. It is a brilliant way for staff and travellers to reach the airport. You can cycle right into both terminals and leave your bike in a secure bike parking facility.”
A new end-of-trip facility opened at the Domestic precinct in July 2026. The bike shed is free to use and monitored by security cameras. There are showers and changing rooms (Image: Sydney Airport)
“The Alexandra Canal Cycleway is also a key section of the regional cycling route into Sydney’s CBD, helping hundreds of commuters get safety to work every day,” adds Sarah.
“Of course, there will soon be opportunities to spot planes at close quarters in Western Sydney too! The fantastic M12 Cycleway, now known as the Emu Trail, leads to Western Sydney International airport. It opened in March and represents another important outcome from years of collaboration with state governments."
Before you head out for a ride…
Infrastructure projects like Sydney Gateway, the M6, M7 and M12 motorways, Sydney Metro and the Parramatta Light Rail are all required to deliver active transport infrastructure in accordance with Transport for NSW's Providing for Walking & Cycling in Transport Projects policy.
However, this does not happen without continual oversight and advocacy. Bicycle NSW keeps a very close eye on major road and rail projects across the state. We work hard to ensure that NSW Government does not dodge conditions of consent to build walking and cycling paths.
Please read more about our influence and influence over the last decade.
And then join Bicycle NSW if you are not already a Member!
You will support our advocacy for better infrastructure and safer streets. You will also ride easy, covered by our best-in-class comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member-only benefits.
Bicycle NSW is the only bicycle advocacy group based in NSW with full-time staff advocating every day for all riders. But did you know that we are funded only by membership fees and donations?
If you are not ready to join the Bicycle NSW family, then we would love you to consider a donation to the Australian Bicycle Advocacy Fund.
Note: The three airport bike rides have also been shared on the Sydney Airport community hub as the Best plane spotting bike routes