It’s easy to see why so many active travelers head to Australia as a bucket list destination. The southern hemisphere location offers everything from white sandy beaches to mountains, and from the desert outback to bustling metropolitan centers. Sydney—Australia’s most populous city—offers a taste of the continent’s diverse landscape, along with plenty of easily accessible hikes.
If you are heading to Sydney, one of the must-do activities is taking a coastal walk. Sydney is famous for its abundance of beautiful coastal hiking trails, and provides all the perks of strolling beaches and climbing mountains, along with stunning views that make up a photographer’s dream. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or an eager newbie, there’s a Sydney hike waiting for you!
Bondi to Coogee
When you think of Sydney’s famous coastal walks, Bondi to Coogee is most likely the first one that comes to mind. From stunning views with iconic highlights like the Instagram-famous Bondi Icebergs, Bondi to Coogee is the perfect way to see the sights. Start in Bondi Beach, pausing to take in the world-famous stretch of sand and the surfer’s paradise suburb of Bondi. Fill your daypack with snacks, water, and sunscreen, and then hit the trail! The trail is clearly marked in most places, and will guide you all the way. Bondi to Coogee coastal walk takes you through the beaches of Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, and ends at Coogee Beach. Give yourself about two hours, as you will want to stop every few moments to take in the breathtaking views of the sea on this six-kilometer (3.7-mile) walk.Bondi to Bronte
If you’re not feeling up to tackling the entirety of the Bondi to Coogee walk, or you want to test your sea legs, try the shorter route from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach. At about four kilometers (2.5 miles), it’s still a good trek that will take you about an hour and a half. Stash some cash, your ID, and a camera or your cell phone in a durable waistpack for the journey and beyond, because once you hit Bronte you can hop off the trail to explore one of the many beach towns dotting Sydney’s eastern coast.Federation Cliff Walk
At five kilometers (3.1 miles), the Federation Cliff Walk takes adventurous travelers from Watson’s Bay to Dover Heights, along a stunning, rugged cliff side with panoramic views of the Tasman Sea on one side, and Sydney’s skyline on the other. If you have time, hike a little farther north, up to Hornby Lighthouse, where you will be greeted with a spectacular view of North Head on the opposite side (Psst! These views also translate into amazing photos—just give yourself a point-and-shoot refresher with our travel photography guide). Then, turn back around and continue south to Dover Heights. If you are feeling up to the task, you can continue your walk a little further all the way down to Bondi Beach, though you may not want to tackle Federation and Bondi to Coogee in one day!Manly to Spit Bridge
If you find yourself in Manly, often referred to as the Hamptons of Sydney and known for its laid-back beach town vibes, put on your hiking shoes for the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk. At 10 kilometers, or just over six miles, this is one of the longer routes, but offers views of everything from beaches to bushland to multi-million dollar harborside homes. Reward yourself with a relaxing sunbathing session on Manly Beach.Whether you’re a Sydneysider or a first-time visitor, Sydney offers countless activities and tourist attractions. But for those of us who love a little fresh air during our travels, a hiking excursion in Sydney should be at the top of your list! And if you’re heading to Australia, make sure you have everything you need for your southern hemisphere adventure with our Ultimate Australia Packing List.
