The best bushwalks in and around Sydney

From half-hour strolls to historic landmarks to adventurous hikes, here’s our list of the top ten walks in and around Sydney.

AFTER eating and drinking yourself silly, the Christmas break is the best time to get out in the fresh air and enjoy the natural beauty of our city. Our list of the top ten bushwalks in and around Sydney includes short strolls for families, adventurous multi-day hikes and scenic routes. Enjoy!

1. South Head Heritage Trail

Location: South Head, Sydney Harbour National Park

Length: 1.4km

Time: 1 hour

This shorter bush walk comes with harbour views and historical items of interested. Located at the south entrance to Sydney Harbour, the trail takes bushwalkers along a cobblestone road from 1870, and past Lady Bay Beach to Hornby Lighthouse, with some gun encampments thrown in along the way for fun.

The heritage walk at South Head takes in Camp Cove.

2. Burrawang Walk

Location: Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Botany Bay

Length: 1.1km loop

Time: 30 minutes

Another one for the history buffs, this short walk is a great choice for those with children or those recovering from a hefty Christmas lunch. It tells the story of the first meeting of European and indigenous cultures. The trail takes walkers past many historic sites, including Captain Cook’s Landing Place, Banks’ memorial, the meeting place and a welcome wall. Interpretative signs line the route, giving you more information on the park’s cultural and natural history.

3. Cowan to Brooklyn bush walk

Location: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Length: 11km

Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

The Great North Walk is a phenomenal 250km track which takes walkers from Sydney to the Hunter Valley and Newcastle. For those who want just a taste of it’s wild beauty, try this intense one-way, one-day bush hike. Starting at Cowan Train Station bush walkers will head north along Jerusalem Bay to Brooklyn, before getting the train home from Hawkesbury Train Station. Only experienced bushwalkers are advised to take on this walking track, as it goes through dense bushland along challenging paths.

A panorama view from the Cowan to Brooklyn walk.

4. Great Coastal Walk

Location: Barrenjoey to Cronulla

Length: 100km

Time: 7 days

This is not for the faint of heart or the sore of foot. The Great Coastal Walk is a once in a lifetime trip which takes adventurous bushwalkers from Barrenjoey to the north of Sydney down through Narrabeen Lakes to Manly, North and South Head then through Clovelly to Cronulla. Along the way residents can enjoy the wildest and most romantic of Sydney’s views. Walkers will need to plan accommodation ahead and at some points can take public transport to skip the urban areas.

5. Three Sisters Walk

Location: Blue Mountains National Park, Katoomba

Length: 1km return

Time: 30 minutes

This short walk gives easy access to one of the greatest views in the Blue Mountains — the famous Three Sisters. The walk starts near the Echo Point Visitor Centre and is perfect for a family friendly day out, as Katoomba is just a few minutes away by car. Longer bush walking tracks are nearby for serious hikers.

The Three Sisters. Photo: Bob Barker.

6. Ruined Castle Walking Track

Location: Blue Mountains National Park, Jamison Valley, near Katoomba

Length: 5.2km

Time: 5 hours

A short journey from the Three Sisters at Katoomba, this five hour trek makes for an exhilarating day trip from Sydney. The walk takes you into the Jamison Valley through the golden stairs and up to the ruined castle, as massive rock formation with stunning views across the valley. The track is also a historic mining route, and ruined miners cottages can be spied along the way.

7. Simmo’s Beach Reserve

Location: Fifth Ave, Macquarie Fields

Length: 500m to 1.5km

Time: Depends

Sometimes the best bushwalks end in a swim. This hidden gem in Macquarie Fields is a popular swimming beach on the George’s River, accessed by various trails which range from 500m to 1.5km in length. Other longer walking trails are easy to access in the Macarthur region, including the 2km Freres Crossing track at Kentlyn, 400m Ingleburn Reserve Walking Trail and 2km The Basin Walking Track at Kentlyn.

Locals cool off in the Georges River at Simmo's Beach Reserve, Macquarie Fields.

8. Bondi to Bronte coastal walk

Location: Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

Length: 4km

Time: 1.5 hours walking time (or shorter depending on where you stop for a swim and ice cream)

Sometimes the most famous walks are still the best. This iconic walk runs from Ben Buckler point to Waverley Cemetary, although enthusiastic walkers can continue on to Coogee. Taking residents past Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte beaches, it offers stunning views of the headlands, beaches and oceans. It is a must-do for visitors, families with older children and any Sydneysider who hasn’t gotten around to it yet.

The famous Bondi to Bronte Walk - Sydney’s number one attraction.

9. Lane Cove National Park — Section of the Great North Walking Trail

Location: East Ryde to Thornleigh, through Lane Cove National Park

Length: 20km one way

Time: 8 hours

It’s hard to believe that in the centre of Sydney lies a pocket of peaceful forest, woodland and wetlands. Another section of the Great North Walk, this trail takes hikers from East Ryde in the south up to Thornleigh in the north. This hike spans almost the entire length of Lane Cove National Park and takes in many scenic spots along the way. Break up the trek by staying overnight in a cabin or glamping in the middle of Lane Cove National Park.

10. Forest Path, Royal National Park

Location: Royal National Park, Sydney south

Length: 4.5km loop

Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

While the Royal National Park is stuffed full of hard yakka hikes for experienced bushwalkers, this little track is great for those who want an easy day out with the kids. Located at the heart of the national park, on Forest Island, it takes walkers along a level track with birdlife and native plants. Before you go you can even take a virtual tour of the track on Google Street view.