Elkington Park

a stunning park with great views, lots of shaded areas to play and very popular for weddings.

Council is investing $1.6 million restoring the cottage at Elkington Park, Balmain for adaptive reuse as a social enterprise café and making the band rotunda accessible for everyone to enjoy.

read more about Elkington Park project here

Elkington Park features a historic band rotunda built in 1936. The romantic history of Captain Thunderbolt and Mary Ann Bugg at White Horse Point offers some intrigue.

The park includes the Dawn Fraser Baths.

Location

42 Glassop Street, Balmain NSW 2041

Facilities

  • Toilets
  • Disabled toilets
  • Playground
  • Swimming
  • Views
  • Water's edge
  • Natural Area – Coastal sandstone foreshores forest
  • Commercial fitness training permitted

Dog on and off leash area

A map of Elkington Park dog on and off leash map

For more pet related information visit the Dogs and cats section of our website 

How to Book

Important Note: Bookings will not be accepted within 7 days of the proposed event date.

There are two main types of events that require a park booking. See below for how to book for each type of event.

How to make a booking for the first time and set up an account

You can use Council's online booking system to make your booking.

Make a booking online

In here you will be able to make a provisional booking request for your preferred event date and upload your documents.

Please see the following guide to assist you. 

Examples: weddings, parties, picnics.

Note: If your event has fewer than 30 people, you usually don’t need a booking unless you plan to:

  • Bring entertainment or amusement devices (e.g., jumping castle, petting zoo, bubble soccer)
  • Hire external providers (e.g., picnic stylist, caterer)
  • Use an undercover bookable area

Includes large-scale events in parks or sporting grounds.

Important: Some events may need extra approvals:

  • Park and Sporting Ground hire form – at least 4 weeks before
  • Section 68 or Development Application – at least 6 months before
  • Traffic/Parking Management approval – at least 3 months before

Sporting grounds always require a booking, no matter the size of your group.
For enquiries: parks@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

Event details

Casual Events (Under 30 people)

  • No booking or cost - Unless:
  • If you bring a marquee or entertainment devices (e.g., jumping castle):
    • Max 4 hours

  • Max 3 hours
  • Apply at least 4 weeks before the date

  • Apply at least 4 weeks before the date

  • Cancel more than 7 days before your event:
    • Refund minus a $50 cancellation fee
  • Cancel less than 7 days before your event:
    • No refund
  • Bookings are not rescheduled or refunded for bad weather
  • Cancelling a booking

  • Log in to your account and go to 'My Bookings', and for the relevant booking, click on 'Manage'.
  • Once in the booking, click on the "Request Cancellation" tab on the top right or bottom of the booking.
  • Please see the following guide to assist you.
  • Cancelling a booking (PDF 212.3KB)
Page last updated: 25 Jun 2026