Top Five Sydney Walks

We talk a lot about bush walking and hiking, partly because we love how many options for us to explore close to our apartment in Sydney. We can go pretty much any direction and enjoy the sanctuary of being surrounded by nature. While there are tons of hikes outside of the Sydney suburbs, there are loads of awesome options within easy reach of the city centre.

I rifled through the archives to write this round-up post of our favourite Sydney walks. I have also included the distance of the walk, how we use public transport from Central station to access and leave the trail heads, and the not to be missed aspects.

Top Five Sydney Walks

5. Spit to Manly

I love this walk because you get to experience vastly different environments over a day long hike. The path goes from coastal to dense ferns, and then to scruffy bush and finally coastal again. Explore the various lookouts for epic city views and sailboats bobbing peacefully in blue waters. There are several beach access points along the way, but I wouldn’t recommend this hike for those looking for a swim – the Harbour is sadly quite polluted, and you need to be careful about when you get in the water, which is enough to keep us out year-round.

Distance: 10 km, including many, many stairs

How to Get There: Take the T1 North Shore Line to St Leonards. Exit the train station and turn right to wait for the 143 or 144 bus at the stop. Get off the bus at the base of the hill Spit Rd, after passing Pearl Bay Ave.

To Return: End your hike at Manly Wharf and catch the ferry to Circular Quay. Take the train from Circular Quay to Central.

Don’t Miss: Stop to admire the city skyline views near Tania Park before you head down to Manly. There are bathrooms and water across the field. For even more views from the top, walk along Dobroyd Scenic Dr to the Arabanoo Lookout to see Balgowlah Heights and Manly Cove from above.

4. Karloo Track in Royal National Park

Despite the fact that we almost died of dehydration on our last hike here, we still appreciated the beauty and summer opportunities of this hike. The Karloo pools provide an awesome mid-hike swim in clear, deep water in the summer, although they will be quite cold in the winter. If it has rained recently, you might enjoy continuing down the track, past the pool, to Uloola Falls; however, in the dry heat of summer, it was quite underwhelming.

Distance: about 5km return (not continuing to Uloola)

How to Get There: Take the T4 Eastern Suburbs line train from Central to Heathcote. Exit the platform and walk to the right towards the fire station. You may wonder where the entrance to the park is, or if you are lost and somehow read the directions wrong – do not fear. Follow the paved road towards the woods and enter the track at the small, elegantly camouflaged National Park Sign.

To Return: The path is an out-and back, so you will end up at Heathcote station. Be aware that trains do not come very often, especially on the weekends, so you may want to check the schedule in advance.

Don’t Miss: Taking a dip in the clear, deep Karloo pool! Bring a float for lounging and water shoes because the pool doesn’t have any edges to hold on to and the rocks are very slippery.

3. Henry Head Walking Track, La Perouse

We still daydream about returning to these crystal clear blue waters at the edge of the Pacific! Skip the crowds at Congwong Beach and head out in search of a more adventurous swimming hole. While the transit situation is a bit tricky (and loonnngg, because nothing leaves from Central), if you have a car or bike we definitely recommend a trip asap!

Distance: 4km return

How to Get There: I’m not going to lie, the bus ride was borderline scarring. It was stuffy, packed, hot, and an hour long each way. We would likely take our bikes for future trips, but if we had to, here’s what we would do via public transit: Take the train from Central to Circular Quay and catch the L94 (or the X94 if you’re lucky) from Circular Quay so you are on the first stop. Move as far back as you can and sit down. Exit the bus with most of the rest of the crowd at the end of Anzac Pde. You will see signs for the beach here.

To Return: The bus picks up from the beach parking lot, so it’s hard to miss. Either the 394 or L94 will take you back to Museum station. Get off the bus on the first stop after turning on to Elizabeth by Hyde Park. You will be able to catch the train to Central from here.

Don’t Miss: The turn off to the Brown’s Rock overlook. Our favourite photos from this trip were taken at Brown’s Rock. You have amazing views of La Perouse, Bare Island, and a secluded swimming cove down below. This is an idyllic swimming hole for those with a float and/or older kids who are less likely to need constant swimming support. Our adventure levels were not high enough to spend half the afternoon on CZ drowning prevention duty.

2. Federation Cliff Walk, Watsons Bay

An easy and stunning walk conveniently located two ferry stops from Circular Quay. For visitors in town for short trips, this is an ideal coastal walk! There are only a few sections of stairs, so we occasionally bring the pram when we don’t feel like roughing it with the Kelty (ie. JZ wanted to bring al the camera equipment, and I refused to carry it).

Distance: 10km return (if you go all the way to Dover Heights)

How to Get There: Catch the City Circle line from Central to Circular Quay. Take the F7 ferry to Watsons Bay.

To Return: Take the F7 ferry back to Circular Quay, and the train back to Central.

Don’t Miss: If you are in front of the Gap Park, facing the walk, turn right and walk along the paved walkway. After 300m or so, you will come across the perfect, shaded picnic spot, which is also a memorial. If you continue walking into the park, the trail continues through the trees. In about 20 seconds you will feel like you are in Jurassic Park. The trees form a dense canopy above, blocking most of the light, and the tree roots totally destroy the concrete path. It is really otherwordly. We only found it because I ran off in search of a trash can (the path spits out on to Dunbar St.), and when I returned, I convinced JZ it was a must-see. Kind of random, but we will call it an “insider’s tip”. 😉

1. Coogee to Bondi

Obviously, Coogee to Bondi wins first place in our Sydney walks ranking. At first I wanted to choose something more surprising, but it just wouldn’t be fair because this walk is AWESOME. It is perfect anytime of year, but I think the winter is a perfect time to visit because the crowds are smaller and the sun is less intense.

Distance: 6km

How to Get There: Catch the Eastern Suburbs line towards Bondi Junction, exit at Bondi Junction and take the bus to Coogee (check the boards by each stop for the most up to date information).

To Return: Wait at the bus stop by Bondi Beach for the next bus to come along, most will stop at Bondi Junction, but check with the driver (or the posted route schedule). Exit at Bondi Junction and take the train back to Central.

Don’t Miss: We love the food pit stops along this walk! Our favourites include: Bronte Carlo (in Bronte, obviously) and sweet, pillowy, perfect eclairs at Le Maison de Eclair (in Bondi).

If you are visiting for the first time, the Bondi Icebergs are a classic tourist activity – be sure to take an iconic from-above photo of the pool to Instagram!

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