Connecting two of Sydney’s legendary beaches, the 80-odd kilometre Bondi to Manly trail is a unique way to traverse the Harbour City. Brave the entire route (over at least three days – it’s not a walk you’ll want to rush), or dip in and out, tackling shorter scenic stretches as the mood takes you.
You’ll experience a host of star attractions - things like the Opera House and Royal Botanic Garden - as well as the places locals have cleverly kept to themselves. There’s Castle Rock Beach (a haven you can only reach by boat or foot); the saltwater-filled Maccallum Pool that crowns Cremorne Point (Robertson Point Light is equally picturesque); Parsley Bay and its century-old suspension bridge; Murray Rose Pool, which is at its most sublime when the jacarandas bloom; and Nutcote, the home of author and illustrator May Gibbs who created Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, a book series almost every Australian child has devoured.
For a shorter hike, set off south from Taronga Zoo, through patches of rainforest and eucalyptus, continue past the twinkling coves of Bradleys Head and Chowder Bay, pause for a well-deserved dip at Balmoral Beach (or a Greek feast at Kazzi) and end the adventure at Chinamans Beach, the subject of countless Ken Done canvases. Back towards South Head, the two-kilometre-long path from Nielsen Park to Rose Bay, known as the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, serves up remarkable harbour views (at their zenith at Milk Beach). And then there’s the cliff-hugging North Head Sanctuary, a space that feels world’s away from the madding crowd, despite only being a relaxed ramble from Manly. You can get a little creative here (there are numerous walking trails to choose from), but time your hike right and you’ll stroll through carpets of native flannel flowers and catch migrating humpback whales. If you’re feeling ambitious though, few experiences compare to the full journey – a unique way to feel wild and free in the heart of the city.
