The Emerald City is a great place to explore by foot and here are some of the best walks in Sydney.
From winding trails around the harbour to grand clifftop trails and inner-city culture crawls it’s the best way to see the city.
Try these walks in Sydney:
1. Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk 6km / 2hr
This is easily one of the best walks in Sydney. The track winds between two of Sydney’s best beaches, along windswept clifftops, through pockets of bushland and even beside a vast 19th-century cemetery. The beaches and parks offer a place to rest, swim or a chance to eat at one of the cafes, hotels, restaurants or takeaways.
If you wish to continue to Maroubra, it will take another hour and a half. Although an urban walk, the Bondi to Coogee is open to the elements. If you are walking in summer, remember to lather up in SPF50 sunscreen and bring a hat and water. And in the winter, be sure to bundle up as it will get windy and cold. bonditocoogeewalk.com
2. Hermitage Foreshore Track 1.8km / 1hr
A short, well-shaded coastal walk around the Vaucluse foreshore that’s mostly on a raised boardwalk, this is a great walk for families or those who prefer to take it easy. You’ll get to admire multi-million-dollar waterfront mansions and historic houses and can stop for a swim at any of the five beaches along the way.
Visitors can stop at the picturesque grounds of Sydney Harbour National Park in Vaucluse and take in the boats sailing past in summer. You will also be able to see the infamous Shark Island and admire the grounds of Strickland House along the way.
3. Manly to Spit Walk 10km / 4hr
For the more hardy, this walk takes you around the northern edge of Sydney Harbour, encompassing subtropical forest, beautiful bays, historic lighthouses and even Aboriginal rock engravings. The 10km walk crosses the Spit Bridge and you can walk past multi-million dollar harbourside mansions. The track is a mixture of paved walkways, boardwalks and maintained bush tracks which means you will even walk through some sub-tropical forests.
4. Glebe Foreshore Walk 2.2km / 1hr
Starting at Bicentennial Park (right across the water from the White Bay Cruise Terminal), this easy trail travels along the peaceful inner harbour and is one of the best walks in Sydney. Expect to see people fishing off the concrete stairs, kids riding bikes and plenty of friendly dogs.
It finishes at the Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont, so you can refuel with a delicious seafood feast. The walk is accessible for pedestrians and cyclists and if it’s a beautiful day outside, it’s worth taking your seafood feast back to Bicentennial Park to sit under the beautiful Fig Morton trees.
5. Sydney Harbour Bridge to South Head 18km / 8hr
If you have the time (and the fitness) this is one of the best walks in Sydney. Starting at Circular Quay, you’ll walk past the Opera House, through the Royal Botanic Garden, through the ritzy suburbs of Double Bay and Vaucluse, and into the Sydney Harbour National Park. Finish at South Head, where the harbour meets the ocean.
It’s worth taking a seat and enjoying the views from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. There is a sandstone bench carved by convicts in 1810 in the Royal Botanic Garden for Governor Macquarie’s wife Elizabeth. This is one of our favourite walks in Sydney.
6. Sydney Culture Walks
Download the free Sydney Culture Walks app and take a self-guided tour through the city’s best art, architecture and history. There are more than 500 sites included and a huge range of walks that connect them, helping you discover the stories of the city step by step. Art lovers should try the Sydney Sculpture Walk and history buffs will like the Colony Tour. They have some great walks in Sydney to discover Indigenous culture. Sydneyculturewalksapp.com
