Everyone knows about the Bondi to Coogee trek, but cross the bridge and there are a bunch of other walks that are worthy of your weekend. Grab your camera, some snacks and prepare to get your sweat on – these heart-pumping walking tracks are made for exploring.
Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay
This is definitely one bush walk worth working up a serious sweat over. This four-kilometre walk (one way, that is) kicks off at Taronga Zoo, winding around Sydney Harbour water’s edge through Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay. The most memorable part of this trek is the view of the Harbour from Bradley’s Head amphitheatre. Two words: Knock. Out. Be sure to get your nerd on and download the free NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services Audio Tours app to learn cool (uh-huh, cool) facts about the area along the way. Top tip: If you only want to walk one way, catch the 244 bus from Wynyard to Chowder Bay, before walking for about one-and-a-half to two hours to Taronga Zoo via Bradley’s Head Road. There, you can catch the 247 bus back to the city via Military Road.
Cremorne Point to Taronga Zoo
This walk is so damn stunning that you won’t even realise you’re walking up hills, crossing bridges and, at one point, hiking through the bush… that is, until your legs start getting a little tired and you break a sweat. Starting at Cremorne Point wharf, follow the path up and around to Cremorne Reserve, where you’ll see a string of next-level McMansions lining the water’s edge. Then, as you get distracted by Mosman’s oh-so sparkly waterfront, just walk your way around Little Sirius Bay, before continuing on to Taronga Zoo. Top tip: While this walk is naturally shaded by overarching trees, spritz yourself with insect repellent before you leave the house; walking through the bush track just past Old Cremorne wharf, you’re bound to attract some mozzies. Oh, and don’t forget to take a dip at MacCallum Pool, if you decide to trek back.
Manly to Spit Bridge
When it comes to North Shore walks, this one’s an oldie but a goodie. Stretching out 10 kilometres, our best advice to tackle this trek is to admire as you perspire; there are so many killer spots to view all the glory that is Sydney Harbour along the way, including Dobroyd Head and Castle Rock. Hello, sweaty selfies! Although, aside from the unrivalled Harbour views, our favourite thing about this trek is that it’s so versatile; you’ll find yourself bush-bashing, walking on wooden decks by the sea and even hitting the pavement in small suburbs along the way. This means that if you don’t want to schlep the entire 10 kilometres, you can peel off on one of these shorter tracks at any time. Top tip: Make a day of this jaw-droppingly lovely trek by getting a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly first thing in the morning. Then, at the half-way mark (around one-and-a-half hours of walking), stop for a quick swim and some (BYO) lunch at 40 Baskets Beach in the sleep suburb of Balgowlah. For more Northern Sydney walks click here.
Words Margaux Harley.
For more ways to explore Sydney, check out our EXPLORE SYDNEY section, and to sign up for our newsletter (packed full of reviews, events, travel, recipes and more), visit here.
