SPECIAL EDITION 6 - NAUTICAL FUN FOR ISOLATION
With Sydney still in lockdown, it is important to keep active and healthy, and as the sun is getting warmer and the days are getting longer, it’s that time of year when we start to enjoy the outdoors a little more. Why not take a walk around your local area, or try a new walk that you haven’t tried before?
The Sea Sydney Harbour team have put together a list of the best waterfront walks in Sydney. Choose the one that fits you and get out into the sunshine on the weekends or your days off (of course, keeping within your 5km radius).
BARANGAROO FORESHORE & RESERVE
This walk is an inner-city track that is approximately 2km one way and takes up to 1-2hrs to complete. It is an easy, mostly flat walk, and is suitable for all fitness levels.
The walk contains the sights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo Reserve, Stargazer’s Lawn, and the Cutaway. Viewing all that Sydney has to offer including the ocean, landmarks, parklands, and amazing picnic spots, this walk will see you scouting and planning, ready for when lockdown lifts and we can enjoy experiences with family and friends.
The walk starts at the Hickson Road entrance and encircles Barangaroo Reserve before finishing at Towns Place roundabout on the other side, but there are several paths branching through the reserve, so take the time to stop and look around.
This walk is dog-friendly so you can take your whole family with you, including your four-legged friends. Kids can ride their bikes or scooters on the track, or simply just walk alongside you and your dog.
For those solo morning runners and walkers, this is a great walk to get the morning started and watch the sun come up around Sydney Harbour.
MANLY TO SPIT BRIDGE
This walk is located on the south side of the Northern Beaches. It is one of the longest Northern Beaches walks stretching out to 10km one way and taking up to 4 hours one way. This walk is suitable for medium-pro fitness levels that are setting out for a long day’s adventure.
The journey will cover all of the Northern beaches’ best stops including Grotto Point Lighthouse, Sydney Harbour National Park, Fairlight Pool, Clontarf Beach, Reef Beach, and Crater Cove.
Starting near Manly Wharf and working its way up to the stunning Spit Bridge this walk covers the Sydney Harbour National Park and a mix of subtropical bushland. It includes several short tracks crossing between the stunning beaches, bays, and rock sides of North Sydney – this walk has it all!
When selecting this journey for your daily dose of exercise, keep in mind that it covers lots of different ground types, including some very uneven steps along the way and even walking on a rock cliff.
This walk covers some of the Northern Beaches’ best-kept secret beaches to stop and have some lunch or simply rest up before heading onto the rest of the track.
BONDI TO COOGEE
Located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, this walk is around 6km and will take around 2-3 hours, including frequent stopping and checking out all the coast has to offer.
The walk is a classic tourist adventure, starting at the famous Bondi Beach and going all the way to the stunning Coogee Beach. The route takes walkers past the famous and stunning Bondi Icebergs swimming club and there are lots of opportunities to take that classic Instagram picture before moving along.
This walk can be a morning starter, a sunset watcher, or even a full-day adventure stopping at the beaches and pools along the way. The pathway passes through Bondi Beach, Bondi Icebergs Pool, Coogee Beach, Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, and Gordon’s Bay.
Everyone can enjoy this walk; it’s ideal for families, friends, getting the kids out and about, and even the older generations, as this walk is mostly flat with lots of stopping and resting areas. There are also some great takeaway coffee stops for that morning caffeine hit or an energy boost later in the day.
ABORIGINAL HERITAGE WALK, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK
This walk is located on the Northern Beaches/North Shore. It is a circular walk that is approximately 4.5km and will take roughly 2-3 hours to complete.
The walk goes through the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and is a gorgeous walk for the whole family, including the kids, to explore the bushland and learn about the stories and heritage of the local Aboriginal people and the animals that live in the bush.
Starting from the Resolute picnic area at the end of West Head Road, follow the path to the sacred Red Hands Cave towards the West Head Lookout looking over all the bushland around and across to Palm Beach. Don’t forget to stop and look at all the Aboriginal engravings and artworks, as these are special gems!
On this walk be sure to bring some food and plenty of water, as being in the bush there are no shops along the way. You can also bring your swimmers for a quick dip in one of the secret hidden beaches before heading back onto the track.
BRADLEY’S HEAD TO CHOWDER BAY
Located on the North Shore, this walk is approximately 4km one way and the journey will take around 1-2 hours.
Being a pleasant coastal walk, it is one of the North Shores’ hidden gems, with picture-perfect views of Sydney’s landmarks along the way, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
The walk starts at Taronga Zoo and ends at Chowder Bay, going around the beautiful beaches and harbour headlands looking directly at the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a perfect postcard view. Following the track from Taronga Zoo will take you around to Bradley’s head, sighting views across the water of Shark Island, Bradley’s Head, and Rose Bay. The track also goes past the 19th century convict-built military relics that still lie there today, giving both adults and kids a history lesson along the way.
On arrival to Chowder Bay, there are some great places to get some lunch or a snack before heading back onto the track to Taronga Zoo. You can even stop for a quick dip or play in the fenced playground if you have the kids with you. This walk is a great outing for all the family, couples, friends, and solo walkers to start the day off with some fresh air.
Sydney is full of amazing walks to explore in your downtime, whether this is waterfront, in bushland, suburbia, or in parklands. Try one of these suggested waterfront walks or discover an alternative option that is local to your home.
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