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Hiking Trails in Sydney

THE 10 BEST Sydney Hiking Trails

Hiking Trails in Sydney

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What travellers are saying

  • Susan C
    Melbourne, Australia1,539 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I did this walk as part of the Bondi to Manly walk but the easiest way to access this trail is from the Taronga Zoo ferry. This bushland walking track follows the shoreline and is mostly flat with a few stairs and is well graded, well maintained and signposted. There is a lighthouse at the point and I saw a kookaburra. There are some views across the harbour towards the city and the Harbour Bridge which were excellent. It is one of the longest harbour bushland walks, particularly if you continue onto the Taylors Bay track to Chowder Bay and the Headland Park and Balmoral and I found it the most pleasant.
    Written 1 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • leuveen
    United Kingdom1,319 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A short walk with great views - I proffered North Head walk, as this one was more crowded and the military base is somewhat off-putting, but it's still a lovely walk woth beautiful scenery.
    Written 28 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Fiona F
    Sydney, Australia742 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a great hidden gem in Sydney. With limited parking it’s best to get here early but the parking is free which is very rare in Sydney. It’s a beautiful location and so lovely. We took our two teenagers children along and had a breakfast at the little coffee shop. It gets really busy late on in the day but it’s a perfect location for a picnic and for big groups. Great spot to cool down and have a swim. Showers are provided bro rise off the salt water. Will be back for sure.
    Written 19 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom11,643 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This walking trail includes the beautiful Hermitage Foreshore Track plus an additional section which starts at the Rose Bay ferry.
    It includes Lyne Park and Rose Bay Beach which are not part of the Hermitage Track.
    For tourists, this is an easier and more convenient walk than the Hermitage Track because you can catch the ferry from the Circular Quay in the city to Rose Bay to start the walk.
    From the ferry, Lyne Park is stop #1. This is a large open, grassy park with a playground, cafe, toilets and a number of sports facilities including tennis courts. Rather than walk through the middle of the park, it is much more interesting to stick to the foreshore path and walk along the waterfront.
    Stop #2 is Rose Bay Beach. You can swim here if you like but you will pass several other beaches along the way which are nicer and you will be finishing at Shark Beach at Nielsen Park which I think is the best spot for swimming.
    From the beach, the next stretch is uphill to the start of the Hermitage Track. You are mostly walking along pedestrian pavements and urban streets until the Hermitage Track begins. It’s by far the least interesting part of the walk. Hang in there though because the foreshore walk along the Hermitage Track is worth it (see separate review).
    Once you hit the track, you will be walking along boardwalks, bush paths and across sandy beaches and will avoid urban roads altogether.
    Along the way, you will pass:
    Stop #3 - Queens Beach, a tiny beach which all but disappears at high tide
    Stop #4 - Hermit Bay, a pretty cove with a jetty and and picnic area
    Stop #5 - historic Strickland House - another good picnic area and whilst you can’t go inside the house any more, you can wander the grounds
    Stop #6 - Milk Beach, where you can swim while looking directly out at the Harbour Bridge and Opera House on the skyline
    Stop #7 - Steele Point Cottage - just a quick glance at this historic gunners’ barracks
    #8 is your final stop - Shark Beach & Nielsen Park. Here you’ll find changing rooms, outdoor showers, clean toilets and a kiosk.
    NOTE:
    * Once you leave Rose Bay, there are no facilities until you get to Nielsen Park so if you need to stock up on supplies or water or you need a bathroom, make sure to do this at Rose Bay. There’s a porta-loo at Strickland House but its not in great condition.
    * The walk from Rose Bay is 3.5km (one way). It can be done in under an hour but you will probably want to allow extra time to stop at various lookout points.
    Written 11 February 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Oscar Smith
    Newcastle, Australia2,359 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place to catch up with friends. Nice bushwalk around the Bobbin Head area and it was also good for kayaking
    Written 22 January 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AndyJohn74
    Sydney, Australia5,491 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The views are pretty spectacular as are the rock formations. Even when the weather is not the best it is still a nice place for a wander. Lots of park benches along the way or even a dip in an ocean pool, but only on a calm day.
    Written 15 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • nick164
    Sydney, Australia2,379 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I visited this small park located in Sydney harbour at the end of an enjoyable walk in the nearby Garigal National Park. Echo Park is compact, but well laid out, there's a few short albeit enjoyable walkways close to the harbour, a grassy area, a separate childrens play area, a picnic area on the harbour, and toilet facilities. Definitely worth considering a visit if you're in the area. Note, there's not much in the area in terms of shops, etc therefore take any water, food, etc with you.
    Written 21 October 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Susan C
    Melbourne, Australia1,539 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I would recommend this as the easiest bushland walk on the harbour with many Sydney Harbour Bridge views. From Neilson Park to Rose Bay this foreshore track is about 2 km through coastal bushland. The track is well signposted and the gradient is easy. Strickland House is pretty (and has toilets). Ending at Rose Bay wasn't the easiest, forcing me up to residential streets where I got lost before finding my way again.
    Written 1 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul W
    Sydney, Australia192 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Easy 10km walk from The Spit bridge to Manly ferry walk (or reverse direction). Good transport each end and reasonably well signposted along the way. Popular with tourists. Leave plenty of time to enjoy the views of the heads. Trail can be wet after rain.
    Written 8 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • stinkwink
    Sydney, Australia7,254 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This spectacular coastal walk is officially 11.4 km and takes 3hr 40min. For me, it took longer, since I always stopped to enjoy a view, or a wildflower, to take a photo of a fascinating rock formation, etc. The walk starts at Collaroy Beach and continues to Long Reef. There enjoy the breathtaking view, and walk through Long Reef Beach, to Dee Why Beach. Next to the rock pool, some unusual looking rocks, like a beehive. From the beach turn up to the Dee Why Hadland walk, leading to Curl Curl beaches, that is a bit steep at the beginning, but the rugged sandstone headland provides you with some unforgettable vista, south to Manly and north to Long Reef and beyond. Arriving at North Curl Curl Beach, walk towards the South Curl Curl Life Saving Surf Club from where the Curl Curl to Freshwater walk starts and ends at the Freshwater Life Saving Club. The boardwalk is an absolute must. After the walkway turns up to the road, don't go straight to Freshwater beach. Just a short break away is the Freshwater lookout, from where you can see the Long Reef in one direction and Manly in the other direction. McKillop Park, with the statue of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, also, only cca 100 m away. From Freshwater Beach, you can climb over Queenscliff, and see Queenscliff Beach as well. First, I had a glimpse of Manly Lagoon and The Stuart Somerville Bridge, and from there, the ocean and the sandy beach. Now it is very close to Manly already. The next station is North Steyne, which is practically part of Manly Beach. This walk following the coastline is so spectacular that you feel sorry to arrive at Manly and finish it.
    Written 23 July 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mrdom
    8,413 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great point on the south side of Port Hacking and an easy walk from the Bundeena ferry. Up a road then cross Jibbon Beach then there's a track around the headland passing some rock engravings and a bunch of great rocks and little beaches looking out over the ocean. You can continue south to the main coastal track and quickly get to the spectacular Balconies or Wedding Cake Rock but that way was a but flooded so I took the shortcut back to the beach and needed maybe 1.5 hours return from the ferry. It's a lush and well shaded path in a spectacular location and not heavily trafficked, hence my high rating. It's poorly marked though and be careful of side trails that go nowhere. Even the entrance to the engravings isn't marked (just look for the prominent stairs and viewing platform) and the engraving are very indistinct anyway (I've seen far better ones around Sydney).
    Written 20 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Linsey B
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a wonderful experience we had on our Three Capes Walk. Our guides were generous with their knowledge and their passion and experience made it very special.
    Written 3 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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