Walks

Navigation Warning

The maps shown with these walks should not under any circumstances be used for navigation purposes. They are included for explanations only. Never rely on your phone for navigation. Your battery may go flat or you may be out of internet range. Always carry a phone recharger and download maps of where you are going so you are not reliant on the Internet.

Iconic Walks

We have chosen 12 iconic walks in NSW 8 in Sydney.

North Head Walk

The walk around North Head from Manly Wharf is about 10km if you include the historic Quarantine Station. Catch a ferry to Manly from the north end of the CBD at Circular Quay. This walk provides one of the best views of the Sydney CBD. You can also catch a bus up the hill from the wharf.

Sydney Quarantine Station at North Head

The Sydney Quarantine Station at North Head was established in 1832. It was later segregated into distinct precincts based on social class, race, and health or infection status. Third Class / Asiatic Quarters: Designated for steerage or non-European and Asian immigrants, who faced stricter confinement and more basic living conditions reflecting colonial racial hierarchies. Note the green carbolic acid showers which were believed to sanitise the skin as they produced an effect like sun burn!

Spit To Manly Walk

Trip Advisor rates this the #2 walk in Sydney after the Opera House/Botanic Gardens. About 10km. Start from The Spit end and walk towards the views. Catch buses to The Spit from the CBD. Return by spectacular Manly Ferry to Circular Quay. There is a dangerous shallow submerged ancient crater rim (Crater Cove) which creates sudden large waves. One kayaker was overturned and had to be rescued by the water police. There are 1930s era fishing huts also in Crater Cove but access is difficult.

Sydney South Coast Walk

A spectacular walk from Bondi Beach south to Maroubra Beach about 10km. Catch the Bondi Beach bus #333 from east Circular Quay. Get off at the first stop at the south end of the beach. The walk starts just south of the Bondi Icebergs Swim Club. There are "drop out" city bus services at all the beaches along the way.

3 Bridges Walk

Begin at Milson's Point Station. Walk Harbour Bridge / Pyrmont Bridge / ANZAC Bridge. End with city bus at west end of ANZAC Bridge or Jubilee Park light rail station at south end of Blackwattle Bay.

Barrenjoey Light House

Barrenjoey Light House

Built in 1881 Barrenjoey Lighthouse stands at Barrenjoey Head at Palm Beach on Sydney's northern beaches about 30km from CBD. Magnificent views up and down the coast. Film set for the popular TV series "Home and Away" on the beach. Very steep climb up to the lighthouse. Take your time. Walk up the road and down the rough smugglers track. It is also well worth the climb up to the Bible Garden at the south end of the beach. The views are the beyond spectacular. The garden is stocked with plants mentioned in the Bible. Catch Palm Beach bus from the CBD or drive.

Royal National Park - Sydney South

There are two iconic day walks in the Royal National Park south of Sydney each involving a unique ride on an historic ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena. RNP is the second oldest National Park in the world (est 1879 vs Yellowstone 1872). The two walks are from Bundeena to Little Marley return and the Jibbon Head circuit both about 10km.

Whale watching opportunities. June and July mark the peak for seeing fast-moving pods and high energy. September through November offers views of mothers swimming slowly with their new calves close to the shoreline back to Antarctica. A species recovery is a good news story after C19 whaling out of Eden on the south coast almost drove them to extinction.

Bundeena to Little Marley return circuit

Out and back about 12km mostly on good tracks. Dramatic sea scapes and the beautiful but dangerous Wedding Cake Rock.

Blue Mountains - Grand Canyon, Blackheath

A must see walk in Blackheath. Catch the Blackheath bus from outside the Carrington Hotel in Katoomba and alight on Evans Lookout Rd in Blackheath. Walk down to the Grand Canyon walk start or drive and park near the start on Evans Lookout Rd (brown line). Lots of steep steps and slippery. Only for the fit!

Blue Mountains - "Lost City" near Lithgow

This is not really a walk unless you park at the start of the access road and walk to the lookout which you might have to do anyway if the access road is too rough. This walk is about 20km north from the Zig Zag railway complex after you cross over the railway line. Car access only. These are logging roads so extra care needed. There are also much longer optional walking tracks near the Lost City.

Blue Mountains - Leura Grand Cliff Top Walk