The best walks near Sydney
If you’re looking for a stunning walk, then you’re spoilt for choice in Sydney.
It’s one of the reasons we fell in love with this city! With four beautiful national parks and countless walks around the harbour and suburbs, you’re never far away from a trail to a cliff top, rainforest, or epic viewpoint.
Here is the complete index for all the trails we have written about so far. If there are any you think we should cover, get in touch! We’re always up for suggestions :-)
You can skip ahead to any section, by clicking the links below:
Find your next walk in Sydney:
National Parks near Sydney
Sydney Harbour Walks
Sydney Harbour offers some of the easiest walks in the city without compromising on the views. Here are our favourites.
All the best walks in Sydney you can do easily by public transport. Some of the journeys are a means to and end, but some are so scenic they actually add to the adventure! We’re not including any journeys which are arduous and require changing modes of transport, we’re keeping it to manageable routes, but oftentimes you will have to walk a short distance to reach the trailhead.
How to reach Store Beach, one of the most beautiful in Manly, on foot, including details on difficulty and the required tide.
Some of the most beautiful walks in Sydney take you around the harbour, with absolutely jaw dropping views. Whatever you're looking for we have you covered; with short, flat strolls to longer day walks. Having done all of Sydney's harbour walks, here are our favourites.
Is this the best short walk in Sydney? We’ll tell you why we absolutely love the Cremorne Point walk, and why you should add on the stroll to Mosman Bay. You’ll also find out about one of Sydney’s best secret gardens, the best things to see and what makes this walk so special.
If you want the best harbour views in Sydney, head for the Balls Head to Lavender Bay Walk. This trail offers stunning views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, as well as native bushland, history and a secret garden along the way.
If you’re looking for a hike with endless secluded coves and near constant harbour views the Rose Bay to Watsons Bay walk is for you. It also starts and ends with one of Sydney’s most beautiful ferry rides. We’ll tell you exactly what to expect from the trail; including all the best stops and how to avoid the crowds.
A full guide to the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach walk - a trail which includes so many incredible stops! We’ll tell you in detail about the best things to see, one of Sydney’s top snorkelling spots, the views, the secret beaches, the beautiful bushland and more.
The Manly North Head Walk doesn’t just offer great views, it also has beautiful beaches, some interesting military history and even a cafe along the way. There are also a couple of great side trails and the chance to spot whales in season. Here’s everything you need to know about the trail, as well as some insider tips few others will tell you about.
A complete guide to the Spit to Manly Walk - one of the best in Sydney. We’ll tell you what to expect, the hidden gems on the trail, a great side track hardly anyone does and everything you need to know about this incredible harbour walk.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk is a must for anyone visiting Sydney, and offers some of the best harbour views in the city. It’s a great free alternative if your budget doesn’t stretch to the BridgeClimb. We’re sharing our top tips for the walk including the best time of day to do it and where to head afterwards.
The Watsons Bay walk is one of the best harbour walks in Sydney. There are stunning harbour and coastal views, two beautiful beaches and two heritage lighthouses, all on one easy trail. Here’s what not to miss on the walk.
The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Walk from Circular Quay to Woolloomooloo never fails to impress. This easy walk has jaw dropping views throughout and explores the harbour, the Royal Botanic Gardens, one of Sydney’s best sunset spots and finishes up with a fantastic bar on the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf. What could be better?
Sydney Coastal Walks
Few places do coastal walks like Sydney, especially if you love walking on the clifftops and panoramic ocean views. They are even better during the Humpback Whale migration between May and October.
All the best walks in Sydney you can do easily by public transport. Some of the journeys are a means to and end, but some are so scenic they actually add to the adventure! We’re not including any journeys which are arduous and require changing modes of transport, we’re keeping it to manageable routes, but oftentimes you will have to walk a short distance to reach the trailhead.
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to great Sydney coastal walks, with everything on offer from short easy strolls to longer half day hikes. If you’re looking for panoramic ocean views, great whale watching opportunities and the chance to visit some of Sydney’s most beautiful and secluded beaches we have you covered in this post.
A complete guide to the Jibbon Beach Loop Track - an easy, but incredibly beautiful walk in the heart of Royal National Park. We’ll tell you what to expect, how to get there and the highlights of one of our favourite short walks near Sydney.
There are three ways to get to Eagle Rock in Royal National Park. We’ll tell you about the most spectacular route and how it became one of our top Sydney experiences ever. We can guarantee you will be impressed!
Everything you need to know about the Bondi to Coogee Walk - one of the best coastal tracks in Australia. We’ve got insider tips to help you get the most out of the trail.
The 12 things you need to know about the Figure 8 Pools to ensure you get there safely and enjoy it without the crowds. We’ll tell you all about how to plan your visit, what to expect and a step-by-step guide to the walking trail to one of Sydney’s most incredible spots.
The Curra Moors Track is one of the best walks in Sydney to experience beautiful wildflowers. Spring and summer offer the best blooms but there are a few varieties out year round. You also get to visit the most beautiful waterfall in Sydney, as well as Royal National Park’s most iconic rock formation. We’re sharing all the details, including difficulty and trail conditions.
The Dee Why to Manly walk is one of our favourites on the Northern Beaches. With stunning views, the chance to whale watch and visit the scenic Manly Wormhole, this trail has it all. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk, including difficulty and how to find the wormhole.
Everything you need to know about the Coogee to Maroubra walk, a beautiful coastal track in Sydney. We’ll tell you about the highlights, the low tide route, how difficult it is and why you should do one of the easiest, but most picturesque ocean walks in the city.
If you’re looking for a short but spectacular walk in Royal National Park then the Garie Beach to North Era track is a great choice. You’ll visit three incredible beaches with the chance to spot wild wallabies along the way, as well as take in some truly beautiful views. Here’s what to expect on the trail.
The Palm Beach Lighthouse walk offers some of the most magnificent views in Sydney and the chance to visit one of the best heritage lighthouses. It’s a short trail that’s big on wow factor. We’ll share all the track details as well as how to find the secret cave and that famous Instagram ledge.
The Cronulla Beach Walk is a gorgeous circuit track which offers incredible ocean views for much of the way. It’s an easy walk that shows you the best of the area. There’s even the chance to stop and watch the sunset from one of Cronulla’s prettiest beaches. We’re sharing exactly what to expect on the trail.
The Botany Bay Coastal Walk is the perfect trail for panoramic ocean views and lots of time walking along the stunning beaches. You’ll also visit Cape Baily Lighthouse and have the opportunity to whale watch from the cliff tops (in season). We’re sharing all our tips for the trail.
The truth about the Bondi to Watsons Bay Walk is that it’s not all great. Whilst there are plenty of stunning views, there’s also a lot of road walking. We’ll tell you about the bits that are well worth doing, as well as the bits to skip, on this popular Sydney coastal walk.
The Malabar Headland Walk is one of Sydney’s best coastal trails, offering incredible clifftop views that are particularly dramatic during whale season. We’ll tell you all you need to know, including specific instructions for the un-signposted sections, what to expect along the trail and where you’ll find the best views.
Garie Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Royal National Park. It’s also the start of a fabulous walk up the headland and along the cliff tops to Eagle Head Rock and the Curracurrong Falls. Here’s what to expect from the trail and why we love to hike it at sunset.
The Cape Solander to Cape Baily Lighthouse walk is a spectacular trail in Botany Bay National Park. It’s not as famous as many of Sydney’s other coastal walks but it’s just as incredible. The ocean views are dramatic and if you’re lucky enough to visit during the whale season you will be in for a magical scene. Here’s what to expect from the walk.
Little Marley Beach in Royal National Park is one of our favourites in all of Sydney. There are a couple of spectacular hiking trails you can take to get there. We’ll tell you about our favourite which starts at Wattamolla.
If you’re looking for a short and easy walk on the Northern Beaches that doesn’t compromise on beauty, the trail from Dee Why to Long Reef Headland is for you. The views are fantastic and there’s even an excellent chance of spotting Humpback Whales in season. Here’s what to expect on the walk.
The Cape Banks Circuit is the best walk in La Perouse. We’ll tell you why we love this walk, what to expect, the really cool side trails you can do and everything you need to know about this great coastal track.
Wedding Cake Rock is one of the most famous sights in Royal National Park. A vivid white cliff edge in a sea of yellow sandstone. It’s beauty and uniqueness has made it an Instagram sensation. But it’s not how it used to be. We’ll tell you the truth about a visit to Wedding Cake Rock in 2020.
Sydney Bush Walks
Sydney has some pretty wild bush walks, and you don’t have to go far to escape the city. This is a collection of the best bush walks in the city and the surrounding national parks.
All the best walks in Sydney you can do easily by public transport. Some of the journeys are a means to and end, but some are so scenic they actually add to the adventure! We’re not including any journeys which are arduous and require changing modes of transport, we’re keeping it to manageable routes, but oftentimes you will have to walk a short distance to reach the trailhead.
If you’re a fan of escaping the crowds, head for the Couranga Track in Royal National Park. This beautiful forest walk offers the chance to wander through stunning rainforest in peace and tranquility. It also links up with another of our favourite walks in the park. Here’s what to expect from the trail.
A complete guide to the Uloola Track from Heathcote to Waterfall in Royal National Park. We’ll tell you why we love this trail, what to expect, where to find one of Sydney’s best wild swimming spots and all the logistics involved in doing this great bushwalk.
Everything you need to know about the Turner Fire Trail Circuit, a gorgeous bush walk in Berowra Heights.
We can’t get enough of wild swimming spots and Winifred Falls and South West Arm Pool are two of Sydney’s best. At just 500m apart they make for the perfect day out in Royal National Park. We’ll tell you what to expect from the trail and tips for your visit.
The Needles is a fantastic wild swimming spot in Sydney, with deep green water and a pretty bush setting. We’re sharing both the long and short route to get there and what to expect from the swimming hole.
Engadine Lagoon is an incredible wild swimming spot in Sydney, with clear water and a pretty bush setting. We’re sharing how to reach the lagoon and how to form an offtrack circuit which also visits The Needles.
We’re sharing the 16 best bush walks in Sydney with fantastic trails from short and easy, to long and epic. Our guide includes the well known hikes everyone should do, as well as some hidden gems that you’ll have almost to yourself.
If you’re looking for a really easy bushwalk that still feels like you’ve got away into nature, then the Warriewood Wetlands and Jim Revitt Walk is a great choice. The trail is flat and well maintained and passes through some beautiful forest and wetland areas, with lots of birdlife. You can even stop for a paddle at the small waterfall. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk.
Everything you need to know about one of our favourite sections of the Great North Walk - the Thornleigh to Hornsby Trail. We’ll tell you exactly what to expect, why we love it, the logistics involved and plenty of photos of this beautiful inner city bush walk.
The Old Great North Road (Convict Trail) is a truly unique walk in New South Wales. It takes you through the history of the construction of the road between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, which was built by convicts in the 1830s. The trail is brought to life with signs and stories along the way. We’ll tell you all about the trail and tips to make the most of this really fascinating walk.
If you’re looking for an easy walk in Ku-ring-gai National Park that still has great views, the Bairne Track is a great choice. It’s especially lovely in the spring with lots of wildflowers, and there is great chance of seeing wallabies year round. We’ll tell you exactly what to expect on the trail.
The Mount Ku-ring-gai to Berowra walk is one of our favourite station to station walks in Sydney. It’s a fantastic bush walk with lots of variety from vegetation that feels wild and jungly to gorgeous creek views and one of the area’s best lookouts. We’re sharing how hard the track is, what the terrain is like and everything else you need to know about the trail.
The Basin and Mackerel circuit walk is one of our favourites in Ku-ring-gai. With stunning bushland, spectacular views, several calm water beaches and lots of wild wallabies, it’s a hard one to beat. We’ll tell you exactly how to do this walk, as it is not signposted as a circuit, as well as how hard it is and everything else you need to know.
The Riverside Walk at Lane Cove National Park is a beautiful and leisurely bush walk, and is even better if you choose to combine it with the Valley Walk. We’ll tell you all about the trail, including the difficulty, logistics and what you can see on one of Sydney’s best inner city bush walks.
A complete guide to the Jerusalem Bay Track (Cowan to Brooklyn). We’ll tell you everything you need to know about this station to station walk, including how hard it is, how to plan it, the best place for a swim and how to shorten the trail if the full hike is too much.
The Berowra to Mount Ku-ring-gai track is a gorgeous station to station bush walk. It’s one of the quieter bush walks in Sydney despite having fantastic water views for much of the way. Here’s what to expect from the trail.
If you’re looking for a short but amazing bushwalk in Sydney, your number one choice should be the Blue Gum Walk in Hornsby. There’s never a dull moment on this trail with a magnificent forest, valleys of ferns, some easy rock scrambling and all in just 4.5km. Here’s what to expect from the trail.
The complete guide to the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail and 6 other fun things to do there. We’ll tell you everything you need to know before you visit, including: where to park for free, how to make the most of your trip and a section by section breakdown of the lagoon circuit trail.
The complete guide to Manly Dam - a pocket of wilderness on the Northern Beaches. Manly Dam has something for everyone; bushwalks, wild swimming spots, wildlife and beautiful picnic areas by the reservoir. Here’s some tips for a great day out.
The Blue Gum Swap Walk takes you down into a truly beautiful Blue Gum Forest and is only a little over an hour’s drive from Sydney. The trail is easy and peaceful with an incredible amount of birdlife making it a true escape from the city. We’ll tell you what to expect from the walk and how to get there.
If you haven’t been to Lake Parramatta Reserve yet you should definitely give it a try. There’s loads to do from bush walking to wild swimming and many lovely picnic spots. Here’s how to spend the perfect day there.
Nope, it’s not the walk to Towlers Bay itself. This un-signposted and at points slightly overgrown trail is actually one of the best in Ku-ring-gai National Park. It takes you to a secret lookout, a cave picnic area and around Lovetts Bay in one fabulous loop! Here’s how to find it.
It might surprise you to know that one of our favourite walks in Royal National Park is not by the coast but in the rainforest! The Forest Path is nothing short of magical. It’s full of mysterious plants and trees and it truly feels like another world. Here’s what to expect from the trail.
If you’re looking for a great bush walk near Manly this loop track in Garigal National Park should be on your list. With lots of classic Aussie bushland and fantastic views over Bantry Bay it feels like you’ve left the city behind.
A complete guide to the Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades Trail in Garigal National Park. This is one of Sydney’s hidden gems, taking you through a dense wet eucalypt forest to a series of cascades which are perfect for a picnic and a paddle.
The Gibberagong Track is one of Sydney’s hidden gems. With a wild and jungly feel this trail offers a fantastic rugged walk with the option for a swim in stunning emerald water as well as lots of great picnic spots. We’ll tell you exactly what to expect in terms of difficulty and what to look out for along the way.
The America Bay Track is one of the best short walks in Ku-ring-gai leading to an absolutely incredible natural viewpoint. It makes for a spectacular place to watch the sunset. We’ll tell you exactly what to expect from the trail and what not to miss along the way.
It doesn’t get the hype of some of Sydney’s famous coastal walks but the Two Creeks Track is an absolute gem. Accessible by car and public transport this fairly easy walk has it all: gorgeous river views, cascades of ferns, and swathes of beautiful forest.
Garigal National Park
When you’re competing with the Blue Mountains, Ku-Ring-Gai and Royal National Park, it’s hard to get a look in. However, Garigal (on the north shore) has some beautiful bush walks without having to drive for hours.
Here are our favourites.
Garigal National Park might be far less well known than other parks around Sydney, but that’s not because it doesn’t have great trails. You’ll find many beautiful walks here which are far quieter than neighbouring parks. We’re sharing 9 of our favourite Garigal National Park walks with all the details from difficulty to logistics.
This great circuit walk in Garigal National Park takes you through gorgeous bushland to the Cascades, one of the best spots in the whole park. You’ll also get the chance to visit two secret waterfalls and maybe even spot a wallaby! We’re sharing everything you need to know including how to find the unmarked waterfalls in this post.
The Governor Phillip Walk is a beautiful and quiet bush walk close to the city. With towering tree ferns, an emerald creek and lots of lush vegetation, it feels like a true into the wilds experience. We’ll tell you what to expect from the trail, including how difficult it is and what the terrain is like.
The Magazine Track in Garigal National Park is a quiet bush walk which offers some fab views of Bantry Bay and the chance to go Robinson Crusoe on one of Sydney’s secret beaches. We’ll tell you how difficult it is, how long you need and exactly what to expect on the trail.
If you’re looking for a great bush walk near Manly this loop track in Garigal National Park should be on your list. With lots of classic Aussie bushland and fantastic views over Bantry Bay it feels like you’ve left the city behind.
A complete guide to the Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades Trail in Garigal National Park. This is one of Sydney’s hidden gems, taking you through a dense wet eucalypt forest to a series of cascades which are perfect for a picnic and a paddle.
It doesn’t get the hype of some of Sydney’s famous coastal walks but the Two Creeks Track is an absolute gem. Accessible by car and public transport this fairly easy walk has it all: gorgeous river views, cascades of ferns, and swathes of beautiful forest.
Everything you need to know about Sydney’s newest harbour walk between Georges Head and Middle Head/Gubbuh Gubbuh. This easy walk showcases Sydney’s WWII history, secluded beaches and of course incredible harbour views. We’re sharing difficulty, trail conditions and where to find the cheapest parking.