Walking trail along Sydney Harbour foreshore and CBD planned

A new plan to draw people back to Sydney’s CBD has the potential to become one of the “greatest” attractions in the country.

A full day’s walk through the heart of Sydney’s CBD with interactive information loaded from QR codes on the way is planned to become one of Australia’s most iconic journeys.

The urban walking trail has been dubbed the Sydney Great Walk and will take walkers along the harbour foreshore from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, past the Opera House to Barangaroo and back through the heart of the city.

“This route has the potential to become the greatest and most iconic urban walk in the country,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said. “It will be something all Australians should do, and the one walk every international visitor must do, when they are able to return safely to our shores.”

The walk will take place along the Harbour. Picture: Monique Harmer

The Rocks will also be part of the trail. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

The Sydney CBD from Blues Point in North Sydney with the Barangaroo Buildings on the right. Picture: Tim Hunter

The government will conduct a feasibility study on the best way to signpost the walk and keep walkers informed, such as scanning QR codes to be given historical detail and integrating information from the heritage Blue Plaques program.

Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said the creation of an iconic walk through Sydney’s history would build on existing ways people can already enjoy the city.

“We want people to get out and enjoy the best NSW has to offer and if this encourages more people to visit and enjoy the city in a healthy way it’s a win-win outcome,” he said.

“We recently launched our Renew advertising campaign to encourage people to reconnect with our great state and developing projects such as the Sydney Great Walk fit well alongside other initiatives such as Sydney’s Longest Lunch and the six-day ELEVATE Sydney celebration to be staged on the Cahill Expressway,” Mr Ayres said.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes said: “This walk will help draw people back into the CBD and at the same time connect what are individually some of the most beautiful and recognisable places in Australia.

“Our aim is to enhance the liveability of our city, promote more people actively exploring the city and develop a drawcard which is on everybody’s bucket list.”

Mr Stokes said the walk would be developed in conjunction with other stakeholders, including The City of Sydney, which has already developed the Yananurala walk that highlights Aboriginal history and culture along the Sydney Harbour foreshore.

“We will also look at developing special sections of the walk so that people may do a history component in The Rocks or a dining and eating component through the CBD.”