Sydney Coastal Walks: Bondi to Coogee, the Blue Mountains and 12 Top Trails

Sydney is Australia's biggest city, but it hides some of the country's best short walks: a clifftop path linking the eastern beaches, bush tracks around the harbour, and sandstone cliffs and canyons in the Blue Mountains. Here are 12 featured walks in one guide.

Where are the best walks in Sydney?

Many of the featured walks are on the coast and harbour, within half an hour of the city centre. Bondi to Coogee and Spit to Manly are sunny, scenic and easy to reach by bus or ferry. Two hours west, the Blue Mountains add cliff walks, waterfalls and deep canyons. Royal National Park lies on the city's southern edge, and the Central Coast to the north has quieter bush and coastal walks.

1. Bondi to Coogee Coastal WalkEasy6 km (3.7 mi) one way Along the clifftops past Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly to Coogee Beach. Swim stops all the way.
2. Spit Bridge to ManlyModerate10 km (6.2 mi) Harbour bushland, beaches and Aboriginal rock engravings.
3. Hermitage Foreshore TrackEasy1.8 km (1.1 mi) Small harbour beaches near Vaucluse, with Harbour Bridge views.
4. Bradleys Head to Chowder BayModerate4 km (2.5 mi) From Taronga Zoo Wharf past military relics.
5. Three Sisters WalkEasy0.8 km (0.5 mi) return From Echo Point to the Three Sisters, Katoomba.
6. Giant StairwayDifficult998 steps Down the cliff from Echo Point to the valley.
7. Grand Canyon TrackModerate6.3 km (3.9 mi) loop A ferny canyon near Blackheath.
8. National PassDifficult4.5 km (2.8 mi) loop Steep stairs past Wentworth Falls. Partly closed.
9. Fairfax Heritage TrackEasy1.8 km (1.1 mi) A wheelchair-accessible path to the Govetts Leap lookouts at Blackheath.
10. Coast Track, Royal NPDifficult27 km (16.8 mi) Two days from Bundeena to Otford along wild cliffs and beaches.
11. Figure Eight PoolsDifficult3 km (1.9 mi) one way Down to a rock platform from Garawarra Farm.
12. Bouddi Coastal WalkModerate8.5 km (5.3 mi) A coastal walk from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach. Shade in parts; whales in season.

Is the Bondi to Coogee walk worth it?

Yes, it is Sydney's classic. The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk (1) runs for 6 km along sandstone cliffs, past Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly, around the clifftop Waverley Cemetery where poet Henry Lawson lies, and on to Gordons Bay and Coogee. Allow two to three hours, or a whole day if you swim at every beach. Each spring, Sculpture by the Sea fills the Bondi end with more than 100 artworks. Go early for cooler air and the best light.

On the harbour, the Spit Bridge to Manly walk (2) is Sydney's best longer walk: about 10 km through Sydney Harbour National Park, past rock engravings at Grotto Point, a lighthouse and quiet beaches. A shorter option on the same harbour is the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk (4), from Taronga Zoo Wharf, with views of the Opera House and the bridge.

What are the best walks in the Blue Mountains?

The Blue Mountains walks are the signature day trip from Sydney. They start in quiet villages along the ridge and drop off sandstone cliffs into deep valleys of eucalyptus forest, with waterfalls pouring over the edge. The Three Sisters Walk (5) at Echo Point, Katoomba, is the classic: a short, easy walk to the famous rock formation. From there the Giant Stairway (6) drops 998 steps down the cliff to the valley floor, with a long, steep climb back up or a walk on to Scenic World.

Near Blackheath, the Grand Canyon Track (7), which starts from the Grand Canyon car park, is a 6.3 km loop through a narrow, ferny slot canyon, with cool air and creeks even on hot days. It ends with a climb to Evans Lookout. At Wentworth Falls, the National Pass (8) follows a ledge cut into the cliff, but part of it is closed after a rockfall. Track sections can be steep and slippery; turn around if a storm comes in or the rock gets wet.

Can you walk the Royal National Park Coast Track?

Yes. The Coast Track (10) in Royal National Park, Australia's oldest national park, runs 27 km one way from Bundeena to Otford station, along sandstone cliffs, heathland and empty surf beaches. Most people walk it over two days, camping at Garie Beach, which must be booked in advance. Vehicle entry costs $12 a day. In winter and spring you can often see humpback whales passing; many people walk one section and come back.

What are the best easy walks in Sydney?

The Bondi to Coogee walk (1) is paved for most of its length and suits almost everyone. The Hermitage Foreshore Track (3) near Vaucluse is a shady harbour walk with small beaches and views of the Harbour Bridge. In the Blue Mountains, the Fairfax Heritage Track (9) at Blackheath is a flat, wheelchair-accessible path to the Govetts Leap lookouts. North of the city, the Bouddi Coastal Walk (12) follows a wild coast between Putty Beach and MacMasters Beach, with rock platforms and whale views in season. It is about 8.5 km one way, so arrange a car at each end or turn back halfway.

Are the Figure Eight Pools safe?

Only sometimes. The Figure Eight Pools (11) in Royal National Park sit on an exposed rock platform 3 km from Garawarra Farm, and waves have swept people off it. They are only safe at low tide in calm, flat seas; check tides and the marine forecast first. If waves are breaking over the rocks, stay on the beach and enjoy the view.

A few rules apply on every Sydney walk. Start early, because heat and storms often build by the afternoon in summer. Carry more water than you think you need, wear shoes with grip, and turn around if the weather turns: big swell on the coast can wash over rock platforms without warning. Stay on the track and off closed or fenced areas, and leave rocks, plants and Aboriginal engravings exactly as you found them.

See the New South Wales guide, our Sydney snorkel and dive guide and the list of Australian experiences to book ahead.

Facts checked October 2026. Tracks close after storms, rockfalls and fire danger, so check the official alerts page and the weather before you go.

• NSW National Parks: Manly Scenic Walkway
• NSW National Parks: The Coast Track, Royal National Park
• NSW National Parks: Figure Eight Pools visitor info
• NSW National Parks: Grand Canyon track, Blue Mountains
• Destination NSW: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
• Also used: NSW National Parks pages for the Three Sisters walk, Giant Stairway, National Pass, Fairfax Heritage track, Hermitage Foreshore track, Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay and the Bouddi coastal walk