Lilyfield to Balmain
Catch the light rail from Central Station to Lilyfield. Turn right at the top of the stairs and walk to Lilyfield Road. Proceed up Grove Street. Originally a working-class area, the workers' cottages have been beautifully renovated.
Today, Lilyfield like many inner city suburbs, has become gentrified.
Turn right into Balmain Road and left into Park Drive. The beautiful sandstone buildings you see were originally Callan Park Hospital for the mentally insane, which operated from 1878 until 1914. Since then, it has had a variety of uses, both medical and educational.
Walk back to Balmain Road and turn left. You are in Rozelle. Cross Victoria Road and you will pass another beautiful building, Rozelle Public School. It opened in 1877 and still going strong. With fantastic murals on walls, outdoor cafes, flower shops, fruit and vegetable markets, and boutiques, Rozelle has a great atmosphere. And, all this is very close to the city.
Darling Street is the main road running from Rozelle and through the centre of Balmain. Balmain has a great vibe, with something new and interesting see everywhere you look.
The Balmain Fire Station dates from 1894 .
The Balmain Post Office and Courthouse was completed in 1888.
Pubs are very popular and there are in 30 Balmain and Rozelle.
The architecture of Balmain is a wonderful mix of traditional heritage and modern design.
The impressive St. Andrew's Congregational Church is the site of Balmain Market, held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.
Before Darling Street heads downhill to the ferry wharf, turn right into Johnson Street. At the corner of Johnson and Paul Street, the mansion formerly owned by AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young is beyond the wall in front of you.
Finally, walk down to Iloura Reserve, with its spectacular views across to the city. The ferry from Balmain East Wharf will take you to either Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.
This wonderful walk is about 9 kilometres.