Sydneysiders love playing sports and basketball is no exception.
Inspired no doubt by the NBA, as well as the local Sydney King’s professional team, there are many free basketball courts available for public use across the city.
These courts are located in parks and recreational spaces throughout Sydney and are suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.
Whether you are a seasoned player looking for a competitive game or a beginner wanting to shoot some hoops with friends, these free courts offer a great opportunity to stay active and enjoy the city’s beautiful outdoor spaces.
Here is our recommendation of 10 of the best of them to visit.
Bicentennial Park BASKETBALL half Court
If you live, or ever find yourself in the western Sydney suburb of Homebush, be sure to head on over to the free half-court at Bicentennial Park.
Located near the northern end of the park, next to a skate park and a playground, the court is well-maintained and features a high-quality playing surface and a good backboard.
It is a popular spot that is used by players of all ages and skill levels and is suitable for practising shooting and dribbling skills.
However, it can get quite busy during peak hours and on weekends and may not be suitable for full-scale games due to its small size.
When not playing basketball, the park also has other sports facilities, including tennis courts, cricket pitches, and sports fields you can enjoy.
Address: Victoria Ave, Concord West NSW 2138
Waverly Park Basketball Courts
Over in Bondi, Waverley Park is a popular public recreational space that features three full-sized basketball courts, all of which have clear painted lines and two hoops. In addition, it also has several half-sized courts as well.
These courts attract players of all skill levels and are especially popular among those looking for a casual pick-up game. They are regularly used for more organised games and tournaments as well.
Even if you are not a fan of basketball, the park is worth visiting due to its beautiful and expansive green space. It also has a children’s playground, skate park and a number of picnic areas, making it a popular destination for families and couples.
Address: Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Gladesville Reserve Basketball Court
Tucked away in the northern suburbs of Sydney, the Gladesville Reserve basketball court is a great option for those looking for a free and well-maintained court to play on.
The court is full-sized and has an excellent playing surface that allows for quick pivots and fast movement. This makes it suitable for full-scale games and expansive practice drills.
Located in a quiet and peaceful part of the park, the court is surrounded by trees and greenery, which only adds to its charm and tranquillity. It’s setting also provides lots of shade to rest under in between games, which is a godsend on hot days.
For those who want to make a day of it, the Gladesville Reserve is a large park that offers several other amenities, including a barbecue area, cycleway and a playground.
Address: 2 Victoria Rd, Gladesville NSW 2111
Scarborough Park
Scarborough Park is a large public park in Kogarah, which is a leafy suburb in the southern part of Sydney. The park features several free basketball courts that are available for all comers.
As well as a handful of half-sized courts it also has two full-sized basketball courts that are notable for the quality of their backboards.
The layout of these courts is especially good for those who want to practice their slam dunks or three-pointers. There is usually a pick-up game going on which you can partake in too.
Away from the courts, the park features several picnic areas, as well as a playground, bike track and lots of green space in which to throw or kick the footy around.
The park is also close to the Kogarah Bay foreshore, should you fancy a bit of time at the beach afterwards.
Address: Monterey NSW 2217
Prince Alfred Park
Nestled within the inner-city suburb of Surry Hills you’ll find the comely Prince Alfred Park.
At its southern end is a lovely full-sized basketball court for enthusiasts to enjoy. The court is surrounded by a fence and is considered to be safe and well-looked after.
The court is easily accessible by public transport, with the closest train station being Central Station, which is about a 10-minute walk from the park. It does get busy so you should be prepared for a bit of a wait, although most people are happy to let anyone join in the play.
If you love sports and recreational activities in general, the park also has several other facilities, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a gym for visitors to use.
Address: Unit 166/186 Chalmers St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Sydenham Basketball Court
Although the park isn’t the biggest, the full-sized basketball court at Sydenham Green is undoubtedly one of the best in Sydney.
Located in Sydney’s inner-western, this court is often used for full-scale games. It is popular with male and female basketball players of all abilities and ages.
The park is surrounded by residential streets and is a popular spot for local residents. Possessing several picnic tables, barbecue facilities and a playground, it is a lovely place to enjoy an al fresco meal and to spend a few hours.
Address: 3/15 Rowe St, Sydenham NSW 2044
St.Leonards Park Basketball Court
If you are looking for a free court to practice your basketball skills in the lower north shore area of Sydney, then St. Leonards Park basketball court is a very good option.
Whilst only being a half-court, it is very well looked after. So, while you probably can’t play a full-scale game on it, you will be able to brush up on your shooting and dribbling skills.
The large park is a popular destination for both local residents and tourists to the area. As it is located near several major attractions, including the Royal North Shore Hospital and the North Sydney CBD, it is pretty easy to get to by public transport. Several bus routes stop near the park and there is a train station located within walking distance of it.
Aside from the basketball half-court, St. Leonards Park also boasts a playground, outdoor gym, and a skate park.
Address: North Sydney NSW 2060
Zetland Basketball Court
For those wanting somewhere to enjoy a full-scale game with their friends, the basketball court in Joynton Park should fit the bill perfectly.
Situated in the inner-eastern suburb of Zetland, the full-sized court is extremely well looked after. It also has good lighting, which makes it suitable for playing at night. For this reason, the court is always busy at all times of the day. But what this allows, is for you to test your abilities against several other ballers.
The standard of play is high at this court and many people come here just to watch the games being played.
If you can’t get on the court, or once you have finished playing on it, you can also choose to enjoy the skate park, barbecue area or playground that features within the park.
Address: Zetland NSW 2017
McRaes basketball half-court
Sometimes you just want to practice your game in peace away from the crowds. At these times, it is a good idea to head to the basketball half-court in McRaes Park, as this provides you with the perfect opportunity in which to do so.
As it is a half-court, it only has one hoop. So the inner-western facility is only really suitable for practising your shooting and dribbling skills.
That said, as it is located in a quiet neighbourhood that features plenty of trees and greenery, more often than not you can just rock up and play, as it is often not being used.
If you head to the park on your bike, you will be able to enjoy a scenic ride on its cycleway. There is also a bbq area and children’s playground there too.
Address: Grove Ave, Penshurst NSW 2222
Centennial Parklands
Last but not least on this list is the basketball court at Centennial Parklands.
A large public park located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, the full-sized court is located near its northern end.
It offers one of the best quality free public playing surfaces in the city and also has a top-notch backboard.
The court is a very popular spot for basketball lovers and attracts players of all ages and skill levels. So it is pretty busy during peak hours and especially on weekends.
The park also has several other sports facilities, including tennis courts, cricket pitches, and other sports fields for visitors to use.
Address: Anzac Pde after Lang Rd, Moore Park NSW 2021