10 Best Hiking Trails Around Sydney

The Manly to Spit Bridge Coastal Walk takes you on a 10 km scenic trail past sandy beaches, prime swimming spots, ancient Aboriginal rock carvings, and jaw-dropping lookouts. Take a dip at 40 Baskets beach, see 1,000-year-old sandstone carvings at Grotto Point Aboriginal Engraving site, and snap a selfie at Grotto Point Lighthouse.

Take the ferry back to Circular Quay at the end of your hike once you’ve checked out a few of Manley’s fun bars and cafes. This hike is suitable for most fitness levels, although there are stairs and sections of sand and bush track, so it’s not accessible for wheelchair users or prams.

Bundeena Drive to Marley Walk is an 8 km return hike just south of Sydney, through bush and heath to gorgeous beach views in the Royal National Park. Cool off in one of the freshwater dipping pools along the way; enjoy fragrant wildflowers, and the salty scent of the ocean.

If you’re visiting between May and November, take binoculars and look out for humpback and southern right whales. Park entry fees apply. As there are a few steps, this may not be suitable for wheelchair users or prams.

Hermitage Foreshore walk is a 4 km return hike along the Sydney coastline from Nielsen Park to Queens Beach with excellent views of Shark Island and the Harbour Bridge. Stop off at one of the secluded spots like Hermit Bay to enjoy a swim away from the crowds with spectacular city skyline views.

Make it a cultural hike and book a guided tour of Strickland House, which dates back to the 1850s and was once home of Sydney’s first lord mayor, John Hosking. This hike mostly covers boardwalks and bush trails with some sandy sections, so it’s not accessible for wheelchair users or prams.

Karloo Walking Track explores the north-west section of Royal National Park, taking in scenic Uloola Falls, just a short train ride from Sydney to Heathcote train station. This 10 km return trail is a great day hike for experienced bushwalkers who can handle short steep hills and many steps.

You can stop off for a refreshing dip in Karloo Pool along the way but aim to get to Uloola Falls for lunch beside the waterfall. Rockhounds will love the unique Whaleback and Uloola Turret rocky outcrops. There’s a campground near the waterfall, but you need to book online in advance if you want to stay.

The Palm Jungle Loop Track is a challenging—but beautiful—10 km round-hike through the Royal National Park near Otford, suitable for experienced bushwalkers who can tackle steep climbs. You can make a detour from Burning Palms beach to check out the uniquely shaped Figure 8 pools—try to do this outside the peak visitor hours of 10 am till 2 pm for the best experience.

Hike through the wilds of the park, through the dense coastal rainforest, and hear the creak of palm fronds and the nearby crash of rolling waves before you make it through the tangle of trees to open grassland with views over the coastline.

The Two Valley Trail is a 13 km walk through bushland and parks and along the riverside from Bexley North to Campsie. The trail is well-serviced by bus and train so you can join at several points to make it a shorter hike.

One of the most interesting sections from Turrella to Bardwell Park can be easily reached from the Wolli Creek Train station, just 30 minutes ride from Circular Quay, and takes in soaring red gum trees, native figs, and a colony of fruit bats hanging from the trees!

Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach is Sydney’s best-known walk, which takes in some of the area’s most beautiful beaches, cliff tops, and plenty of tempting cafés, over a 6 km trail. There are steep stairs in several sections so it’s not fully suitable for wheelchairs or prams, but there are plenty of flat, easy, paved sections for all to enjoy.

The section at Mark’s Park, south of MacKenzies Point offers a chance to see 2,000-year-old traditional Aboriginal rock carvings, and if you visit when the humpback whales are making their annual migration, you’ll spot them along the way.

North Head via Blue Fish Track is a popular 10.9 km loop trail near Sydney which makes for a great workout thanks to its many stairs and uphill sections. You’ll see beautiful views over Sydney Harbour and the city’s skyline as well as natural beauties such as South Head and Manly Beach.

North Head, or Car-rang-gel, holds significance for the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, the Gayamagal People, as it was once used for spiritual ceremonies and rituals. Look out for rock engravings and rock art, along with the military fortifications from settlers in WW2. There’s not much shade along this hike so it’s best avoided in hot weather or in the noonday sun.

The Coast Track in Sydney’s Royal National Park is 26 km and best tackled as a multi-day walk between Bundeena and Otford. Along the way, you’ll be treated to unspoiled coastal views, secluded sandy beaches, a colourful riot of wildflowers, and if you travel between May and October, you’ll see humpback whales slapping their tails in the waves on their annual migration.

Fill out a National Parks trip intention form before setting out on this epic hike. If you want to camp overnight at North Era, make a booking online as soon as possible, it’s a popular stop.

The West Head Lookout in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park offers amazing views over Broken Bay, Barrenjoey Headland, and Lion Island Nature Reserve on a trail that’s fully accessible to all. There are dozens of bushwalks to take from West Head, from easy loops to more challenging return hikes with stairs and steep sections to see waterfalls, Aboriginal rock carvings, and secluded swimming holes.

Plan to get there at dawn or dusk when there are fewer people around and you might be rewarded with spotting a wallaby, monitor lizard, or kookaburras.