Tag: explore sydney

PERFECT PICNIC SPOTS

Picnics are certainly making a comeback in the post-COVID era, and with the outdoor setting preferred and picnics being the current trend, parks and beaches across Sydney have been filling to the brim on weekends.

We like the idea of “floating picnics” or picnics on a boat, but if you want to stay on dry land and are looking to explore a different park or beach to the usual, here’s a summary of the Sea Sydney Harbour team’s favourite picnic spots in Sydney.

BALMORAL BEACH, BALMORAL

Located in Mosman on the North Shore, there are two sides to this beach, each separated by a rock island. Balmoral Beach has a grass area which is a perfect picnic spot. You can enjoy some takeaway fish and chips or some wine and cheese and if you want to bring your four-legged friend along, the grass area is also pet friendly.

Balmoral Beach is fun for the whole family! Enjoy the soft sand between your toes and have your picnic directly on the beach, get your tan on, and jump in the water for an end of day swim. If you’re not a huge fan of the open water, there is a shark netted area nearby and there is even a diving board – a great area for the kids to enjoy. If you don’t want to go swimming, Balmoral still has lots to offer, with a playground along the pathway to keep the kids entertained, while you take some time to relax.



BRADLEYS HEAD AMPHITHEATRE, MOSMAN

This picnic spot with a view is located on the North Shore, overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The amphitheatre is part of Sydney Harbour National Park, and is surrounded by bushland, making it feel like you have left the city for the day.

Bradleys Head has a pier that you may like to take a leisurely fish from and watch the sunset as you enjoy a glass of wine. Alternatively, have your morning coffee from the local coffee shop and watch the sunrise before heading for a morning walk.

If you are picnicing on the weekend, you might even get a glimpse of a beautiful wedding and watch the bride walk down the aisle – it’s a picture-perfect location for wedding ceremonies.



ROBERTSON PARK, WATSONS BAY

Robertson Park is a great picnic area with lots of grass area to set up a picnic in the park. It is located next to the beach and there are lots of trees for shade and half a dozen picnic tables. Just a short stroll away, you will find Camp Cove Beach, South Head and even the famous Gap lookout. Located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Robertson Park overlooks Sydney Harbour, so your day will be filled with stunning views.

If picnicing isn’t something you love, but you would still like to enjoy the Sydney Harbour views, Watsons Bay Hotel is next door – have a drink in the beer garden and enjoy the water views (outside of lockdown times), as you watch the ferries come and go.

With fantastic harbour views, a small harbour beach, picnic tables, a playground and a netted swimming area, why not plan your next picnic at Watson’s Bay? It is the perfect spot for families, groups of friends and couples.



MACCARRS CREEK RESERVE, CHURCH POINT

Just down the road from Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, MacCarrs Creek Reserve is a great place for BBQs and picnic lunches. Perfect for swimming, fishing and playing on the grass, you can go exploring alongside the water’s edge down to the end of the river, or even take your kayak, paddleboard or a small dingy down the stream.

MacCarrs Creek has many shaded trees to set your picnic rug under, with lots of parking spots right next to where you can put the rug down – a very convenient picnic spot.

A great reserve for groups of all ages with views of the water, the option to enjoy lunch or a meal at sunset, and areas for kids activities, such as bike riding.



SYDNEY PARK, ALEXANDRIA

Sydney Park is one of the Inner West’s most popular parks. You will find amazing rolling hills, a playground, a skate park, gardens, and hidden wetlands you can walk through.

The park has public BBQs to cook your lunch, with lots of grass areas to kick the ball around with the kids and find a shady spot for your picnic blanket. There is a track that curves through the park for cycling, walking, and running, and there is a skate park for the kids to ride in and learn to do some tricks. The park is pet friendly also, so no member of the family has to miss out on the fun.



BERRY ISLAND RESERVE, WOLLSTONECRAFT

Hidden on the western side of Sydney Harbour close to the Harbour Bridge, this is a great park for a romantic picnic and harbourfront walk for two. It’s also a perfect location for a family picnic or gathering with friends, with lots of grass areas for some active playtime or relaxation time. The reserve is dog friendly, so you can bring along your four-legged family member for the day also.

While the name is Berry Island, the reserve is not an actual island, and road access is via Shirley Rd, Wollstonecraft, which provides easy access for wheelchairs and prams. There is a 20-minute bush walk called the Gadyan track that takes you around the perimeter of the reserve.

The large, flat, grassy area at Berry Island Reserve is perfect for picnic blankets, and there are also public BBQs available and a children’s playground insight.



Do you have the picnic fever??? With the weather warming up, it’s time to get out and explore these perfect picnic spots! Pack your picnic rug, picnic basket and some activities to enjoy at the park, and have fun with your family and friends.

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WATERFRONT WALKS

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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