Top 5 most dramatic hikes in Sydney, Australia
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Sydney is a place where you can experience salty and breezy coastal walks, bush hikes, and half-day expeditions. This city in Australia is blessed with various hiking paths that will suit everyone, regardless of their abilities.
So, for those of you who are looking for hiking spots near Sydney, I have listed my top 5 favourite hikes in and around Sydney after years of experience in offering private guided Sydney tours. These stand-out places will surely take your breath away with their natural beauty, seclusion, facilities, and ease of access.
Before you guys head towards these spots, do not forget to check NSW National Parks alerts and warnings. These are some of the most scenic and adventurous hikes I have visited bear Sydney. Also, do not forget to bring your camera along!
Top 5 hikes in and around Sydney
Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach Walk
Distance: 6.5 km one way
Time to cover: 2.5 hours
Level: Easy- Intermediate
What to expect?
While walking through the meandering pathways, you can get the scope to enjoy the stunning landscape, which includes pristine beaches, picturesque bays, historical sights, and impressive lookouts.
Things to experience
If you are looking to treat yourself to a hike filled with meandering pathways and impressive beaches with a salty breeze, set yourself on the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach Walk. This beautiful beach walk is filled with attractions like Bradleys Head, Taylors Bay, Balmoral Beach, Georges Head Lookout, and Clifton Gardens Reserve. On the course of the walk, you will get facilities like public toilets, picnic spots, and cafes.
Getting to the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach Walk:
The best way to get to the Taronga Zoo is by ferry from Circular Quay. However, you can also catch a bus to reach Taronga Zoo from Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, and North Sydney.
Manly to Spit Bridge Walk
Distance: 10 km one way
Time to cover: 4 hours
Level: Easy to Intermediate
What to expect?
The coastal walk between Manly to Spit Bridge is a scenic one. However, it would help if you kept your eyes open to enjoy the beautiful sights as you hike. On this walk, you can see fascinating harbour views, lush bushland, and places to swim.
Things to experience
Being one of the most scenic walks, the Manly to Spit Bridge walk will offer you some of the most breathtaking attractions including Reef Beach, Crater Cove, Clontarf Beach, Grotto Point Lighthouse, and The Spit Bridge. And if you feel thirsty on the way, don’t worry, as there are drinking fountains to quench your thirst.
Getting to the Manly to Spit Walk:
You can start either from Manly or Spit. If you plan to start from Manly, you can get there by the Manly ferry or use the Manly scenic walkway. However, if you begin from Spit Bridge, you can reach there via car or bus (number- 178, 180) from Wynyard Station.
Bondi to Coogee Coast Walk
Distance: 6 km one way
Time to cover: 2.5 hours
Level: Easy to Intermediate
What to expect?
On this hike, you will get to see mesmerizing beach views, swimming pools, beach parks, promenades, and so on. There is no shortage of activities here, as along with a coastal walk, you can relax and unwind on the beach, go for picnicking and BBQs.
Things to experience
Nothing beats a hike loaded with turquoise oceans, white sandy beaches, cool breeze, and unspoiled promenades. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is one of the hikes you should have on your bucket list. Do not forget to stop at popular spots on the way including Bondi beach, Icebergs Swimming Pool, Mackenzies Point, Waverley Cemetery, Dunningham Reserve, and Goldstein Reserve. This walk also includes facilities like drinking water, toilets, cafes, and restaurants.
Getting to Bondi to Coogee Coast Walk
You can reach Bondi via car, train, and bus. You can catch a train from Circular Quay and Central to Bondi Junction. From there, you can get either board a local bus or walk 25 minutes to the beach.
If you want to board a bus, look for bus number 380 to take you from Sydney to Bondi Beach.
Lake Parramatta and Creek circuit
Distance: 4.2 km full circuit
Time to cover: 2 hours
Level: Easy- Intermediate
What to expect?
There are three walking tracks you can find at Lake Parramatta-
– She-Oak Track- 1.5 km
– Banksia Track- 2.4 km
– Lake Circuit- 4.2 km
Here, you can expect heart-warming nature views and singing cockatoos. However, you should have detailed knowledge about the three trails before starting, as they merge into one another, creating confusion.
Things to experience
Apart from hiking, at Lake Parramatta, you can undertake pedal boating, kayaking, and swimming. Among the amenities, here you can find public toilets, cafes, picnic spots, BBQs, playground.
Getting to Lake Parramatta
You can easily reach Lake Parramatta by car via Lackey Street off Bourke Street in North Parramatta. However, if you opt bus, then bus route number 609 stops at Bourke Street.
Grand Canyon Hike in Blue Mountains
Distance: 6.3 km loop
Time to cover: 3-4 hours
Level: Intermediate- Hard
What to expect?
As you walk through the Grand Canyon track in the Blue Mountains, you can witness the breathtaking sandstone walls, lush rainforest, pretty waterfalls, and abundant native plants. The loop will take you to the heart of the World Heritage site of the Blue Mountains.
Things to experience
Starting from Evans Lookout, the Grand Canyon Hike will take you through a hidden rainforest of luscious ferns, hidden tunnels, and creeks. You can take a break from walking and enjoy the views at the Beauchamp Falls, and Aboriginal site. Also, you can undertake birdwatching, kayaking, and canoeing. On the way, you can get facilities like a boat ramp, cafes, and picnic areas.
Getting to the Grand Canyon Hike
You can start your hike from Evans Lookout in Blackheath. To reach Evans Lookout, you can take the Great Western Highway towards Blackheath. From there, turn on to Evans Lookout Road, east of Blackheath village, and drive 3km to its end to reach the Evans lookout car park.
You can also reach Evans Lookout via bus, for which you would need to board bus number 698.
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