10 Best hikes and trails in Sydney Harbour National Park

Best trails in Sydney Harbour National Park

4.6(9,855 reviews)

Australia
:
#2 of 637 national parks

Sydney Harbour National Park, as the name suggests, protects part of Sydney Harbor, foreshores, islands, and ocean waters. It is located on lands of the Eora people. The best way to explore the park is on a coastal hike, walk or boat tour.

Top trails

#1 - Spit Bridge to Manly Walk

This famous coastal walk can be done in either direction, but most people go from Spit to Manly. Following the Manly Scenic Walkway, the trail starts at the Spit Bridge. The track passes by sandy beaches, ancient Aboriginal sites, and stunning viewpoints and finally leads to the lively Manly area with various restaurants, cafes, and bars. Connecting pedestrian paths and walking tracks, the route highlights some of Sydney Harbour’s best bits: Clontarf Reserve, Castle Rock Beach, Grotto Point...

#2 - Rose Bay to Watsons Bay

The Rose Bay to Watsons Bay walk is a stunning coastal trail that takes you along Sydney's picturesque eastern shoreline. Starting at Rose Bay, the path offers sweeping views of the harbour, with beautiful beaches, rocky outcrops, and the iconic Sydney skyline in the distance. As you follow the coastline, you’ll pass through leafy parks, historic landmarks, and enjoy waterside spots perfect for a break or swim before ending up at Watsons Bay. This scenic and relatively easy walk is ideal for...

#3 - Balmoral Beach to Taronga Zoo

This is a wonderful scenic coastal walk in Sydney, New South Wales. The trail begins and ends in Balmoral Park, where you can park while you hike. Leaving the carpark, you will pass through some beautiful sections of the Sydney Harbour National Park and be rewarded with some spectacular views of Sydney and Sydney Harbour. The trail also takes in several significant sites from Sydney’s military and settlement history.

#4 - Bradleys Head (Taronga Zoo) to Chowder Bay Walk

This is a pleasant coastal walk, which passes through some beautiful sections of Sydney Harbour National Park and offers spectacular views of Sydney and views of the harbour. It runs along the foreshore via Athol Bay, Ashton Park, Bradleys Head, Taylor's Bay and Chowder Head before reaching its final destination. Pack a towel and swimsuit if you fancy finishing the walk with a cooling dip at Chowder Bay or trying one of the more secluded beaches. You can also turn this into an all-day outing...

#5 - Hermitage Foreshore Walk

This is a beautiful, family-friendly coastal harbour walk in the stunning suburb of Vaucluse, Sydney. The trail itself is an easy walking track with beautiful views of the harbour foreshore. There is access to many small beaches for swimming. Grab a coffee in Watson’s Bay and then sneak around the corner to Camp Cove for a swim. It can get busy here on weekends. For a fantastic coastal walk that includes family-friendly beaches and historical sites, try this route. Begin at Nielsen Park and...

#6 - Manly Wharf to Crater Cove

This is a fantastic hike from Manly Wharf to Crater Cove in Sydney, New South Wales. The rocky northern cliffs overlooking Sydney Harbour are home to historic huts that can be visited through a trail. These huts were built between 1923 and 1963 in a small, windswept spot called Crater Cove in Middle Harbour. Despite their rustic nature, these homes offer million-dollar views. Occupants lived here until 1984, when the National Parks and Wildlife Services forced them out, a decision upheld by...

#7 - South Head Heritage Trail via The Gap Bluff and Green Point

You'll be spoilt for choice with amazing things to see on this route that completes the South Head Heritage Trail as well as passing The Gap Bluff and Green Point in Sydney Harbour National Park. You will stumble across some sublime viewpoints as well as historic points of interest such as the Lightkeeper's Cottage. Refresh your senses and take your swimmer's for a dip at Camp Cove Beach along the way. The path follows a mix of shared-use footpaths and road. The route starts at Robinson...

#8 - Manly Beach via North Head

Starting from the car park off Scenic Drive, this trail offers stunning views. The route passes by several lookouts, Old Quarry, Swamp, Shelly Headland, and the iconic Shelly Beach. Along the way, hikers can also explore military history sites and enjoy vistas extending into Sydney Harbour. The trail is quite rocky through the bush and mostly very exposed, with only occasional pockets of shade.

#9 - Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Loop

This is a beautiful trail through the harbourside eastern suburbs of Sydney. The route begins and ends from the parking area at Lynne Park, near New South Head Road in the suburb of Rose Bay. Enjoy following the Sydney Harbour shoreline north, up to the Lightkeepers Cottage and Hornsby Lighthouse in Watsons Bay. From here, you'll head down the east coast of the peninsular before cutting across through Vaucluse to trace your steps along the west coast of the peninsular. The trail passes...

#10 - Clontarf Reserve to Forty Baskets

This beautiful scenic trail travels from Clontarf Reserve to Forty Baskets Beach in Sydney, New South Wales. Soak in stunning coastal scenery and hike along a well-maintained path as you navigate this lovely track. The path starts from Clontarf Reserve, where parking is available, as well as public toilets and water refill stations.

Showing results 1–10 of 33

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Trail reviews for Sydney Harbour National Park

17,390 trailgoers Busiest in April

Jemmie Robertson

May 3, 2025•Hiking

Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

This was a fantastically beautiful hike into the Sydney Harbour National Park.

Manly Beach via North Head

Sowmya Banerjee

Apr 24, 2025•Hiking

Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

It was a really great trail great connectivity from the beach. It’s a part of the Sydney harbour national park. You can see the lighthouse on track.

Difficulty: Easy

South Head Heritage Trail

Thomas Leitch

Mar 4, 2025•Hiking

Great views

The coastal walk from Macquarie Lighthouse to Watsons Bay is a spectacular section of Sydney Harbour National Park, offering stunning views of the cliffs of the South Head Peninsula. Here are some highlights along the way: Macquarie Lighthouse - Australia's oldest lighthouse (built in 1818), perched on a cliff and making a great starting point with sweeping views across the Pacific. The Gap - A famous cliff with a dramatic view of the ocean, particularly impressive when the waves are strong. Signal Station and Dunbar Anchor Memorial - A historic signal station and memorial to the shipwreck of the Dunbar (1857). Watsons Bay - A picturesque bay with a small beach, restaurants (e.g. the famous Doyle's on the Beach) and the popular Watsons Bay Wharf for the ferry to Circular Quay. South Head Lookout - At the end of the trail is the spectacular lookout with views of Sydney Harbour, the skyline and Hornby Lighthouse. The entire trail is about 4 km long (round trip about 8 km) and easy to walk. Ideal for a relaxing walk with breathtaking coastal scenery.

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Coastal Clifftop Walkway

Jim User

Oct 10, 2024•Walking

Good viewsNot crowded

Made it up as we went. Took the bus from the ferry terminal to the south end of North Head where we started with the Fairfax walk and nice pictures. Then stopped at the 3rd Cemetary do a couple pictures and then went to North Head Quarantine Station in Sydney Harbour National Park. Then had lunch at the quarantine beach and looked at the quarentine museum inside the luggage building. Then walked out of quarantine station and through the Barracks precinct. Couldn’t get out of the national park where the trail shows, so we walked along the national park boundary wall (originally built to separate the quarantine station from st Patrick’s Estate), until we could enter St Patrick’s. At St. Patrick’s we took some pictures. Then went to Shelby beach and Manly beach. Ended with a walk along manly beach in our bare feet and finally a walk back to the ferry terminal and some ice team from BR31 before we got on the ferry.

North Head via Blue Fish Track

Kane Firek

Apr 18, 2025•Hiking

Not crowdedDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Great hike with a lot of shade, some great views of Sydney harbour bridge and CBD. Terrain changes with a more jungle feel closely to Balmoral. Lots of lizards!

Balmoral Beach to Taronga Zoo

Rod Shephard

Jan 14, 2025•Hiking

Great views

Elevation seems to be flaky in all trails. Picturesque walk with spectacular views of the coast and Sydney Harbour. The walk map says you drop down to sea level at the end (Fairfax point) but that isn't possible unless you are into scaling cliffs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Manly Beach via North Head

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Sydney Harbour National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Sydney Harbour National Park is Spit Bridge to Manly Walk, which has a 4.8 star rating from 3,900 reviews. This trail is 6.3 mi long with an elevation gain of 734 ft.

What is the longest trail in Sydney Harbour National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Sydney Harbour National Park is 2025 Coastrek Sydney - 50km. This trail is estimated to be 30.1 mi long.

How many trails are in Sydney Harbour National Park?

There are 33 trails in Sydney Harbour National Park. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 9,855 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Sydney Harbour National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Sydney Harbour National Park has you covered. 2025 Coastrek Sydney - 50km boasts the most elevation gain with 3,277 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is South Head to North Head Walk, which will get you 2,352 ft of elevation gain.

Are there running trails available in Sydney Harbour National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 21 running trails in Sydney Harbour National Park and the most popular is Spit Bridge to Manly Walk with an average 4.8 star rating from 3,900 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Sydney Harbour National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 2 biking trails in Sydney Harbour National Park and the most popular is Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Loop with an average 4.6 star rating from 321 community reviews.