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Despite the hectic traffic and blistering pace of life in Sydney, it’s not hard to remove yourself from the hubbub and connect with a gentler environment on foot.
With its harbourside setting, adjacent stretches of coastline, many national parks, and mountains to the west, the New South Wales capital offers quick and easy access to any number of superb hiking trails. And whether you’re visiting on holiday, considering a permanent move to the city, or planning to invest in property, walking is a great way to tap into the flow of life in the Harbour City.
Here are ten of the best Sydney walking trails.
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10 Top Things to Do in SYDNEY, Australia in 2024 | Ultimate Travel Guide & To-Do List
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1. Bondi to Coogee Walk
The six-kilometre coastal walkway from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach is one of Sydney’s most popular leisure activities. The walk can be broken into sections, with options to stop for a swim or a coffee at Tamarama, Bronte, or Clovelly Beach. Soak up the sunny coastal vibe, enjoy the rugged ocean-meets-coast aesthetic, and pause at Marks Park in Tamarama to see ancient Aboriginal rock carvings. Most people start the walk at Bondi (catch a #333, #380 or #389 bus from Circular Quay or Bondi Junction station), but you can also join the path at Bronte (take the #440 bus from Museum station). There’s an extra buzz (and larger crowds) when the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition turns the walk into an outdoor art gallery.
2. Crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Nothing says ‘I’m in Sydney’ like a walk across the Harbour Bridge. Access the pedestrian walkway via stairs next to Milsons Point station in the north or Cumberland Street in the south. The walk is lovely at any time of day, but you’ll capture the best photos at sunrise. It only takes about 15 minutes to cross the Bridge itself, but you can extend your walk at either end. On the south side, come down to ground level for easy access to The Rocks or stay on the elevated path to reach the Royal Botanic Garden. On the north side, spend some time exploring the chic harbourside suburb of Kirribilli and soaking in the million-dollar views of the Opera House.
3. Hermitage Foreshore Track
The Hermitage Foreshore Track in Sydney’s eastern suburbs meanders past pretty beaches and historic homes, and provides a relaxed perspective on this sometimes seemingly brash metropolis. From the northern end of Rose Bay it’s a short stroll to the beginning of the track, which passes heritage-listed Strickland House before reaching the calm swimming waters and lovely vintage café at Neilsen Park. Although this marks the official end of the Foreshore Track, continue on to Watsons Bay for a casually fabulous meal at its namesake hotel.
4. South Mosman to Taronga Zoo
On the other side of the Harbour, there’s an equally enticing waterfront walk on offer. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to South Mosman Wharf to begin the easy and incredibly scenic meander to Taronga Zoo. You can make this your destination or keep walking to gorgeous Chowder Bay. Even though this is the heart of a major city, the forest-like setting, melodious birdsong, and deserted beaches will make you feel like you’re a million miles from anywhere.
5. North Head Sanctuary Loop
Among Sydney’s greatest public assets are its many pockets of preserved harbourside bushland. One of the most extensive and untouched of these is the North Head Sanctuary. To walk the 1.5 to two-hour Sanctuary Loop, catch the #135 bus from the ferry terminal at Manly to the Sanctuary Visitor Centre at North Fort and head off them there. You’ll enjoy great views back towards the distant city, and out over the Pacific Ocean’s vast expanse. The flora and fauna here are rich and diverse, and you’ll pass pristine patches of unusual swamp and heathland. The walk also takes in some interesting historic sites associated with Sydney’s immigration and military history.
6. Aboriginal Heritage Walk, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Situated 40 minutes’ drive north of Sydney and bordered in part by the majestic Hawkesbury River, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is Australia’s second oldest public reserve and covers an area of around 15,000 hectares. It’s home to one of the highest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art in the country, which you can see for yourself on the popular Aboriginal Heritage Walk. This five-kilometre loop takes around three hours to complete and requires a reasonable level of fitness. Along the way you’ll have the privilege of visiting a number of rock art sites (of which there are more than a thousand dotted across the park). The famous Red Hands Cave is a definite highlight.
7. Cape Banks Track, Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Kamay Botany Bay National Park bridges the ocean entrance to Botany Bay in Sydney’s south, and the La Perouse portion is a magnet for would-be whale spotters from June through to November. Exactly why becomes clear as you walk the breezy Cape Banks Walking Track. It provides an uninterrupted ocean vista — and if there are whales about, you’ll certainly see them! The walk starts at Cann Park and covers a return distance of seven kilometres. Leave time to check out historic Bare Island Fort, which is connected to the headland by a century-old wooden bridge. The structures on the island can only be accessed on a guided tour (which operates on Sundays).
8. The Coast Track, Royal National Park
If you’re up for a really epic trek, consider tackling the The Coast Track through Royal National Park — the oldest national park in Australia, and the second oldest in the world! Affectionately known to Sydneysiders as the ‘Nasho’, this coastal wilderness area defines Sydney’s southern extremity and is home to an incredible array of animal and plant life. The Coast Track is a Grade 5 walk and therefore requires a high level of fitness. It’s best done over the course of two days, with an overnight stop at the North Era Campground. You’ll need to carry everything with you.
9. Federal Pass Track, Blue Mountains
Splitting the horizon to the west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains provide endless bushwalking options — and you could spend a lifetime losing yourself (figuratively speaking!) in the region’s verdant embrace. The 13-kilometre Federal Pass extends all the way from Leura Cascades to the Ruined Castle rock formation on the floor of the Jamison Valley, and provides a bottom-up perspective of the Mountains’ distinctive geography and geology. It takes about 12 hours to complete the entire return journey, but the trail can be accessed at various points to create shorter walks. Descend the aptly named Giant Stairway beside the Three Sisters in Katoomba, then hang a right and follow Federal Pass along the valley floor to the Scenic Railway’s lower station. Travel back up to the plateau on what is officially recognised as the world’s steepest rail service.
10. Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains
If you’re up for another challenge, the taxing 6.5-kilometre Grand Canyon Track threads its way through the full spectrum of Blue Mountains landscapes. From dry eucalypt forest at the upper level, the track descends beneath sheer sandstone cliffs into an almost prehistoric world of lush rainforest, pristine creeks, and photo-worthy waterfalls. Begin the walk at Evans Lookout near Blackheath and tackle the steep descents/zig-zag paths at a pace you feel comfortable with.
Tips for safe walking
- Wear suitable walking shoes and lower leg protection.
- Take plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen.
- Always inform friends and family of your plans and estimated time of return. You can also register your bushwalk online with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
- Consider obtaining a Digital Personal Locator Beacon prior to your walk.
- Keep to designated paths and stairways.
Enjoy your walk!
This post was published thanks to Provincial Homes.
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Additional images: Depositphotos, Bigstock, and Envato
About the writer
Roslyn Jolly is a freelance travel writer whose work has appeared in Escape (News Limited), Mindful Puzzles, Vacations and Travel, and Mindfood. In her former career as an English Literature academic, she studied and taught the work of great travel writers, such as Henry James, Herman Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson, and became fascinated by the history of travel and tourism. Two years at school in Wales and three years at university in England allowed Roslyn to travel extensively in Europe and North America, which she continues to do.
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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