My top 5 best hiking tracks in and around Sydney

09 Feb My top 5 best hiking tracks in and around Sydney

One of my favourites things to do on my day off is to go bush walking and there is no end of places to hike in and around Sydney.

As I wrote in my previous blog, there are so many reasons to go hiking such as sun exposure, builds your leg muscles and improves you mood and morale. And the best thing is it costs close to nothing, all you need is a good pair of hiking boots, plenty of water, food, sunscreen and a cap.

I have walked most hiking trails in and outside of Sydney and there is a vast number of city, bush, coastal and national parks to explore. So from my experience, here are my top 5 must do walking tracks in Sydney.

1. Spit to Manly

This is simply one of the best hikes in Sydney. Stretching ten kms, this walk offers everything, outstanding harbour views, and a mix of lush bushland and some great places to swim. Best started from the Spit Bridge it takes over three hours and there are plenty of great vantage points to be found along the track offering spectacular views across Sydney Harbour, including historic sites such as Grotto Point Lighthouse. Great bushland through Sydney Harbour National Park and there are plenty of places to take a dip to cool off.

2. Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach

This is one of Sydney’s finest walks and offers spectacular views of the harbour, peaceful stretches of pristine bushland, and pretty sheltered beaches. The showpiece of Headland Park is the Georges Heights Lookout where you can marvel at the stunning panoramic views of Sydney Heads, the Pacific Ocean, the eastern suburbs and city skyline. Spend some time swimming or snorkelling at Chowder Bay or end your walk with a refreshing dip at Balmoral Beach. This walk takes about two hours and covers six kilometres.

3. West Head to Resolute Beach

One of the best in the Ku-ring-gai National Park, you will be rewarded by the tranquility of this beautiful wild peninsula on the edge of Sydney. The pristine bushland of the National Park covers the spine of the peninsula and is threaded with creeks running down to picturesque bays. Resolute Beach is one of those secluded beaches in Sydney you should visit at least once in your life. With amazing views of Pittwater and The Barrenjoey Headland, beautiful emerald green water and virtually no tourists around, this is a true hidden gem.

4. The Coast Track

This track runs from Otford to Bundeena and takes a couple of days to complete but if it is too much to do in one go, you can always do a section at a time. Regardless, the Coast Track is the jewel in the crown of the Royal National Park – you’ll walk along cliffs, beaches and escarpments, taking in magnificent ocean views and the rugged beauty of the Royal National Park’s coastline as you go.

5. Bondi to Coogee

This would be Sydney’s best known coastal walk and for good reason. It’s a stunning path that hugs the clifftops with beaches all the way along. There are cafes and kiosks at each beach and saltwater pools at Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee.  The coastal walk features everything including stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools.