Elizabeth Bay

Green Square's shiny new heart: rooftop apartments, Gunyama Park and wide modern footpaths built for a lap. Brand-new Sydney, dog included from day one.

Wide parklands beside Centennial Park, with open green and off-leash space close by. Room to run, right on the city's edge.

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

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.

Converted wharves, water on three sides and Pirrama Park's waterfront lawns right on the harbour. City-close living with room to stretch the legs.

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.

Glebe Point Road runs on coffee, secondhand books and Saturday markets, then spills down to a harbour foreshore walk. Bohemian to its bones and very glad to see your dog.

Harbour finger-wharf glamour with city grit, a stroll from the CBD. Walkable, characterful and handy for a waterside lap.

Harbour foreshore beneath the Bridge, beside The Rocks' history. Scenic, walkable and made for a waterside city stroll.

Harbourside paths, pocket parks and big-city buzz. The CBD hides a few four-legged-friendly corners — just mind the no-go zones like the Botanic Garden.