The best bushwalks in NSW this summer
There’s no time like summer to explore the great outdoors with a bushwalk. Find out where to slip on your walking shoes and explore NSW.
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There’s no time like summer to explore the great outdoors with a bushwalk.
The best of NSW’s natural beauty can be found on the beaten track, whether it’s salty sea views, lush forest and bushland or breathtaking mountain landscapes.
And with warm summer days, there’s never been a better time to grab a water bottle, slather on some sunscreen and head out to immerse yourself in what nature has to offer- there might even be a river, lake or beach at the end to cool off too.
Whether you’re a brave solo adventurer or after a family-friendly trek, here’s some of NSW’s best bushwalks.
SYDNEY
Queenscliff to Shelly Beach: 45 mins
The best combination of the Northern Beaches’ finest sand and surf, turned into an easy walk.
While this one is technically on a footpath, it’s a short, relaxing and kid-friendly stroll with spectacular coastline views.
Start at Queenscliff Beach and the coastal promenade will take you all the way down past Manly Beach and onto Shelly Beach at Cabbage Tree Bay. If the day’s a hot one or you fancy a dip, there’s plenty of places to stop for a swim along the way, or to grab an icy cold drink or ice cream from a nearby shop.
There’s even sculptures along the way to ponder along the Eco Sculpture Walk.
Minerva Pools walking track, Wedderburn: 1-2 hrs
Tucked away in southwest Sydney, this walking track is not to be missed. Trekking through Dharawal National Park, you’ll be serenaded by native birdsong and could spot the wallabies or black cockatoos that call the bush home- maybe even a koala.
At the end of the trail you‘ll arrive at Minerva Pool, a pristine waterhole which is a sacred site for Aboriginal people of Dharawal background.
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the pool’s sandstone features and tranquil surroundings, including a waterfall which cascades into the rockpool below — you can go for a dip if it’s a warm day.
Wedding Cake Rock, Royal National Park: 2 hrs
Just south of the Sutherland Shire, one hour below Bundeena in The Royal National Park you can find this unique pure white sandstone rock formation.
Getting to the rock is half the fun, though it’s a moderately tough trek over rough ground so wear proper shoes and bring plenty of water.
You’ll enjoy being immersed in the coastal bushland, surrounded by birdlife and native flowers, before the scrub gives way to coastal cliffs and sweeping ocean views.
While you can’t sit or stand on Wedding Cake Rock as it’s unstable and prone to cracking, there’s plenty of opportunities to take the perfect photo.
You’ll need to pay for entry to the national park to get there, which is $12.
Grand Canyon Walk, the Blue Mountains: 3-4 hrs
Waterfalls, lush vegetation and sprawling views of sandstone cliffs at the top — there’s not much more you could ask for on one of The Blue Mountain’s most beautiful hikes.
Found in Blackheath, this World Heritage-listed landscape will take you from the tops of soaring cliffs and ranges hundreds of metres down hewed stone stairs to find lush ferns and trickling waterways at the base of the canyon — the greenery will have you thinking you’ve stepped back in time to walk among dinosaurs.
It’s a challenging walk with plenty of stairs and steep climbs, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes, but there’s plenty of places to stop and have a rest. Bring snacks or a picnic lunch and you can stop along the trail and enjoy your surroundings.
FIgure 8 Pools: 4 hrs
Experienced hikers who want to head further into The Royal National Park shouldn’t miss
this beautiful natural rock formation — but you’ll have to work hard for it.
Determined bushwalkers would be best to take this walk, which is 6km long one way along a narrow, steep bush track. If you’ve got young kids, it’s not pram safe, so best leave them at home for this one.
You will also need to pay the $12 entry fee to get into the national park, but if you can make it down the track safely, the long walk is well worth it to see the stunning naturally formed pools, shaped like figure eights.
Make sure you check the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s website to make sure you’re heading there when it’s safe — the pools disappear under the high tide, and getting there before 12:30pm is recommended.
Fairyland Track, Lane Cove National Park: 30 mins
The perfect walk for little legs to test out bushwalking, ‘Fairyland’ is a little pocket of lush greenery just 20 minutes from the Sydney CBD.
It’s a part of a much bigger track called Great North Walk, which spans 250km from Sydney up to the Hunter Valley and Newcastle — but this little 1km track is just right for preschoolers and other young kids to explore nature. The stairs may be a challenge for prams though.
Bigger kids might like the 5km one-way Riverside walking track which has picnic areas and river views on the other side of the A38.
NORTH COAST
Tomaree Head Summit Walk: 1.5hrs-2hrs
Another kid-friendly walk, but maybe for those who don’t mind a few stairs, this bushwalk will reward those who finish it with sweeping views of the Port Stephens coastline. The 2.2km trek beneath huge leafy trees is a steep climb with quite a few steps, so pack lots of water and wear comfy shoes. Once you reach the top, you’ll be able to view the coastal landscape from the north or south platforms, catching glimpses of the coastal islands and Port Stephens Lighthouse.
Little Bay to Smoky Cape, Hat Head National Park: 2 hrs
The beauty of this walk in South West Rocks is that you can start it in either direction. The 10km trek will take you past the historic Overshot Dam and through the ride to The Gap Beach and Smoky Cape tracks, where the scenery ranges from rainforest to grassy woods to heathland. Smoky Cape’s Captain Cook lookout will give great ocean views over the cliffs — you might even spot a whale.
Three Sisters Walking Track, Broken Head: 30-45 mins
A short walk on the Far North Coast but it’s still jam packed with beauty. This sandy track is perfect for a family stroll through lush rainforest before you re-emerge to overlook Kings Beach and a panorama of rocky coves, dense forests and isolated beaches. There’s some gentle stairs but plenty of places to take breathtaking photos, or a nice family snap with a beautiful backdrop. Take a picnic lunch and stop to enjoy the view, or head down to the beach to dip your toes in the clear blue waves afterwards.
INLAND NSW
Kosciuszko Summit Walk: 6-8 hrs
If you’re after a challenge, Australia’s tallest mountain — and an 18km hike — certainly fits the criteria. Start your walk at Charlotte Pass inside the Kosciuszko National Park, and you’ll enjoy views of glacial lakes, fields of flowers and vegetation and some of the nation’s tallest peaks. And if you make it to the top of the peak, there’s a view you’ll never forget.
Gloucester Falls Walking Track: 1-1.5 hrs
A family-friendly track with breathtaking views, this bushwalk is perfect for a day trip.
Found in the Barrington Tops National Park, near Gloucester, prepare for a startling change of scenery.
Forest, mountains and waterfalls can all be found on this short, easy walk as the trail leads you from subalpine woodlands to scenic vistas of the picturesque Gloucester Falls.
West Rim Walking Track: 1.5-2.5 hrs
Tucked away in the Southern Highlands’ Morton National Park, families and nature lovers won’t want to miss this bushwalk. Featuring panoramic views of gorges, waterfalls and the best the surrounding landscape has to offer, this 3.5km return bushwalk has plenty of photo opportunities. A gentle walk that’s friendly for little legs, you will be able to stop plenty of times along the way at different lookouts to admire the sweeping views of deep valleys and the spectacular Fitzroy Falls, or soak in the lush ferns and forest canopy as you trek through forest.
SOUTH COAST
White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum: 1 hr
Another kid-friendly trek, this 2.5km track showcases the white sands of Jervis Bay in a relaxed loop. Bring your swimmers along, because this track winds past some of the territory’s best stretches of sand, including Chinaman’s Hyams and Seamans Beaches.
If the picture-perfect coastal views don’t do it for you, the loop back around through lush forest and woodlands filled with possums and kangaroos might just do the trick. Start this track at Greenfield Beach’s picnic area.
Haycock Beach to Barmouth Point: 2 hrs
Six kilometres’ worth of clifftops, woodlands and rugged rock formations in Ben Boyd National Park on the Far South Coast should scratch the bushwalking itch this summer. With view of untouched beaches below, you’ll walk down the cliffside track that’s perfect for bird watching, or to spot the odd whale. On land, there’s plenty of wildlife about, like echidnas, goannas or even kangaroos. Once you end up at Barmouth Point, it’s the perfect place to strip off for a swim or flop down to relax and enjoy your surroundings, before heading back.
Wasp Head Walk: 0.5-1.5 hrs
Just north of Batemans Bay, this family-friendly walk is the perfect opportunity to take in the coastal views and beautiful beaches found on NSW’s South Coast. The two kilometre track along the headland is rich with Aboriginal heritage — look out for shell middens on your walk.
You’ll also walk past scenic areas including the rugged rocky Wobbegong Bay and even a sea cave, which can be found if you follow an offshoot of the main path. If you choose the north path where the trail starts at Wasp Head Picnic Area, you’ll traverse a casuarina forest and end up with a sweeping view of Wasp Island.
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