Favourite Sydney Walks (so far)

7 April 2015 /

Sydney is a stunningly beautiful place and one of the best ways that Nick and I have found to explore it has been via the many walks Sydney has to offer. We thought we would share some of our favourites!

For reference, here’s a list of the ten best coastal walks in Sydney from Concrete Playground, which we use as inspiration.

Spit Bridge to Manly Cove

A map of the Spit Bridge to Manly walk.
A map of the Spit Bridge to Manly walk.

This is our definite favourite of the walks we’ve done. It’s a decent workout (10km with some ups and downs), it’s fun (at high tide you might have to swim part of the trail near Forty Baskets beach, or take a pretty significant stairway…we opted to wade), there’s lots of friendly native wildlife (water dragons and golden orb spiders abound), it ends at Manly Cove (my favourite swimming spot – and steps away from a local brewery, 4 Pines), and taking the ferry back to Sydney is always a pleasure.

The beginning of the walk, just under the Spit Bridge.
The beginning of the walk, just under the Spit Bridge.
A tiny water dragon - we saw so many of these I stopped taking photos of them.
A tiny water dragon – we saw so many of these I stopped taking photos of them.
Interesting corn cob-like vegetation.
Interesting corn cob-like vegetation.
The walk passes by many beautiful, secluded beaches like this one.
The walk passes by many beautiful, secluded beaches like this one.
Aboriginal engravings on a section of the walk. There were several engravings enclosed within beams, including whales, a shark and other fish, a kangaroo, and human-looking footprints.
Aboriginal engravings on a section of the walk. There were several engravings enclosed within beams, including whales, a shark and other fish, a kangaroo, and human-looking footprints.
This way to Manly!
This way to Manly!
Gorgeous panoramic lookout about halfway through the walk.
Gorgeous panoramic lookout about halfway through the walk.
Happy Canadian walkers in the March sunshine :)
Happy Canadian walkers in the March sunshine 🙂
Yet another gorgeous, utterly deserted beach.
Yet another gorgeous, utterly deserted beach.
This is one of a few sections of the walk that are under water at high tide.
This is one of a few sections of the walk that are under water at high tide.
More friendly wildlife - a golden orb spider. Nick's trying to get his hand in the shot for scale, but doesn't want to get TOO close...(these spiders are harmless, just big!).
More friendly wildlife – a golden orb spider. Nick’s trying to get his hand in the shot for scale, but doesn’t want to get TOO close…(these spiders are harmless, just big!).
Rewarding ourselves with a sampler of 4 Pines beer after a fantastic 10km hike and a bit of a swim.
Rewarding ourselves with a sampler of 4 Pines beer might be the best part of this particular hike.

Bondi to Bronte (ok, Coogee)

So, technically this walk is Bondi to Coogee, but Nick and I have only made it to Bronte. We couldn’t figure out how to stay on the trail (and not walk through normal town streets) and get to Coogee from Bronte. Granted, we didn’t try very hard as it was an extremely hot day and we wanted to go for a swim in the gorgeous Bronte ocean pool.

Trail map
Trail map of Bondi to Coogee. Bondi to the Bronte Ocean Pool will take you to where it says “Waverley Cemetery”.

The Bondi-to-Coogee walk begins at the Icebergs in Bondi, which is a cool combination pool club/restaurant/bar. They bill themselves as “The Home of Winter Swimming”. From there, a cliffside path wanders along the edge of beautiful rocky cliffs looking down at the gorgeous ocean below.

The Bondi to Bronte walk is about 4km long (with some ups and downs so it can be a bit of a workout) and to hit Coogee will take you another 5km (same), which is why we opted to stay at the Bronte pool on a 30 degree day in January.

Cliffside walk.
Cliffside walk (and a patrolling surf rescue helicopter).
Looking back at Bondi Beach.
Looking back at Bondi Beach.
More gorgeous views.
More gorgeous views.
The Bronte ocean pool - amazing for swimming.
The Bronte ocean pool – amazing for swimming – where we thought the trail ended.
Super ready to dive in!
Super ready to dive in!

Manly Beach to Shelly Beach

OK, this is a totally short walk, but it’s great for strollers or if you’re not super fit, and bonus! you can hang out at gorgeous Shelly Beach and escape the Manly Beach crowds.

Map of the Manly Ferry Terminal to Shelly Beach walk.
Map of the Manly Ferry Terminal to Shelly Beach walk.

From the Manly ferry terminal, which is likely where you’ll be arriving if you are based in Sydney, it’s just a short 20 to 25 minute walk (depending on your pace and the crowd) along a lovely scenic walkway peppered with sculptures, water dragons, and amazing views (Weekend Notes has a more detailed recap).

A water dragon, just hanging out by the path from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach.
A water dragon, just hanging out by the path from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach.
Looking back along the walkway - I guess we need to go again, to get more photos!
Looking back along the walkway – I guess we need to go again, to get more photos!

Pam’s Daily Commute

I know, a bit funny to include this one, but I just love my daily commute! It’s a 15 minute walk to the office through a leafy pathway, across the Pyrmont “town square”, with a stroll beside pubs, shops, cafes, and restaurants, and finally across Darling Harbour on the Pyrmont pedestrian bridge.

I most enjoy the commute in the early morning, when I’m on my way to the gym around 6:15am. It’s so quiet and there’s almost no one else around (although there are always at least a few other people around – I mean this is Sydney, after all), and I’ve seen some lovely sunrises.

Sunrise over the leafy pathway.
Sunrise over the leafy pathway.
Crossing Darling Harbour at 6:25am on my way to spin class.
Crossing Darling Harbour at 6:25am on my way to spin class.
Westfield Tower in downtown Sydney, again on the way to spin.
Sunrise behind Westfield Tower in downtown Sydney, again on the way to spin.
The leafy pathway itself!
The leafy pathway itself – rocky cliffside, palm trees, grass, lights – I love it.