Visit Sydney Australia
Walks: Inland | Harbourside | Coastal | Inner City
Sydney Harbour Walks
This 4km return walk follows the course of a stream which rises in the North Shore suburb of Artarmon, and flows through a pretty bushland valley before flowing under the old Northbridge suspension bridge and emptying into Middle Harbour. Its medium grade walking path passes through natural open forests. It passes by sandstone ruins and a disused quarry before winding its way through Tunks Park. A walk rich in natural and cultural heritage.
This popular bushwalk follows the harbour foreshore for a few kilometres from Neilsen Park, Vaucluse to Rose Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The walk passes three beaches - Queens, Tingara and Milk Beachs - all of which are sheltered, shallow and calm. Strickland House and its surrounding grounds behind and the magnificent Sydney Harbour panorama across the water, is well worth visiting.
Explore the bays and harbourside suburbs of Sydney's exclusive lower north shore - Milsons Point, McMahons Point, Waverton, Wollstonecraft and Kirribilli. Highlights include a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge; Kirribilli House (Prime Minister's residence); Luna Park; Wendy's Secret Garden and plenty of city skyline views from locations along the way. The walk returns to the city via the bridge. Duration: virious. Distance: average 5.5km. Grade: easy.
Part of the 6 km Taronga to Balmora Beach Walk, the track covers the around of Sydney Harbour around Bradleys Head. It incorporates pockets of bushland, isolated beaches, historic colonial era forts, historic monuments and spectacular harbour views. Highlights: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head, Taylors Bay, Clifton Gardens, Chowder Bay. Duration: 3 hours. Distance: 8km return. Grade: easy/moderate
This walk takes you through some of Sydney's most exclusive eastern suburbs harbourside locations, commencing at Rushcutters Bay near Kings Cross and Darlinghurst. Stroll through historic tree-lined streets and explore many parks along the way. Excellent harbour views. Highlights: Redleaf Pool; Seven Shillings Beach: Point Piper; Lady Martins Beach Duration: 3 hours. Distance: 5.5km. Grade: easy
This walk offers the opportunity to explore rugged cliffs, secluded coves, parkland and remnant bushland on Sydney Harbour's south-eastern foreshore. Excellent harbour views. Highlights: Hermitage Foreshore Walk; Neilsen Park; Vaucluse House; Parsley Bay; Watsons Bay; The Gap; South Head; Camp Cove Duration: 5 hours. Distance: 8km. Grade: easy
A natural sandstone bridge occurs in Garigal National Park, which encompasses much of the remaining stands of natural bushland on Sydney's Upper North Shore. It can be found by accessing the Bay Track via the Cook Street Track, which passes three small waterfalls before reaching the Natural Bridge Track. The rock bridge spans Main Creek deep in the valley. The track continues up a steep hill to the Bluff Lookout which offers panoramic views of Bantry Bay.
One of the best suburban walks on the lower North Shore, this walk takes in some beautiful homes and gardens (not to be missed is the Lex and Ruby Graham gardens), the bushland and lighthouse of Robertsons Point, numerous Aboriginal middens and of course magnificent harbour views. To begin, simply take the ferry from Circular Quay to Cremorne Point, or catch the Cremorne Wharf bus, from Neutral Bay Junction.
Burns Bay on the Lane Cove River is a tranquil cove into which flows Tannery Creek (also known as Burns Bay Creek). The creek flows through a valley, a walking trail follows the creek to the upper section of the valley and what must be one of the most picturesque bushland reserves in the Sydney suburban area. Tree ferns thrive under a canopy of Sydney Red Gums, Blackbutts and Turpentines. The walking trail emerges in Tennyson Park on River Road opposite Seville Street.
Start at Circular Quay, and follow the seawall east. On the way you'll pass the Sydney Opera House, walk around Farm Cove and the perimeter of the Royal Botanical Gardens, take in the harbour views at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, then walk through bushland above Woolloomooloo Bay, with views to Garden Island. Return to the city centre either through the Botanical Gardens or The Domain via the Art Gallery of NSW.
This walk embraces inner and outer harbour views, a cross section of some of Sydney's most interesting residential streets, as well as a span of history from Aboriginal times, the First Fleet, whaling, harbour fortifications. Choice of routes to follow; may be completed in sections Highlights: harbour views; Long Cove; Middle Harbour; Mosman Bay; Taronga Zoo. Duration: 5 hours. Distance: 8km. Grade: easy/moderate.
The Bay Run is a moderately trafficked loop trail that follows a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians. It encircles much of Iron Cove and is located in Drummoyne in the inner-western suburbs of Sydney. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Distance: 9km. Grade: easy/moderate.
The walking track from Smoothey Park to Gore Cove through Milray Reserve to Berry Island passes through one of a number of delightful pockets of natural bushland on Sydney Harbour's Lower North Shore. It's easy to forget how close you are to the heart of the Sydney and North Sydney business districts walking along the bush track which follows Berry Creek to the harbour foreshore. It is not what you would expect to find just a few kilometres from the centre of the city.
Cockatoo Island is Australia's most unusual urban park - a heritage-listed island in the middle of Sydney Harbour. You can take a guided tour or head off on your own and explore what has to be one of Australia's most interesting islands. You'll visit mainland Australia's most comprehensive collection of convict buildings, relics from Australia's once thriving shipbuilding industry, and of course take in its wonderful harbour views.
One of Sydney's classic and most popular walks, it follows a well-maintained track and provides beautiful views over Middle Harbour. The pathway is great for both major exercise, or just a stroll along the shoreline of Sydney Harbour, as it can be walked in one go or in sections. Highlights include Middle Harbour; Clontarf Beach; Grotto Point; Crater Cove; Arabanoo Lookout; Dobroyd Head; Fairlight Beach. Duration: 4 hours. Distance: 9km. Grade: easy/moderate.
Circle walk with over 45km of optional loops explores west of the Harbour Bridge. This magnificent walk focuses on the Harbour itself the bridges, islands, urban bushland and city skyline. Highlights include Parramatta River; Woolwich Dock; Glebe Island; Harbour Bridge; suburbs of Hunters Hill, Gladesville, Waverton, Greenwich, Rozelle. Duration: 10 hours. Distance: 26km. Grade: easy/moderate
This walk, centred around Watsons Bay and South Head, takes in the windswept cliffs, secluded coves, historic lighthouses, coastal fortifications and Aboriginal rock art around South Head. Get there by ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. Highlights: Hornby and Macquarie Lighthouses; Camp Cove; Lady Bay; The Gap; Watsons Bay.
Duration: 3 hours. Distance: 5km. Grade: easy/moderate
Part of the 6 km Taronga to Balmora Beach Walk, the track covers the around of Sydney Harbour around Bradleys Head. It incorporates pockets of bushland, isolated beaches, historic colonial era forts, historic monuments and spectacular harbour views. Highlights: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head, Taylors Bay, Clifton Gardens, Chowder Bay. Duration: 3 hours. Distance: 8km return. Grade: easy/moderate