Easy, fun and scenic coastal walks around Sydney Harbour

Easy, fun and scenic coastal walks around Sydney Harbour

Hi everyone, long time no see! Sorry I've been so MIA recently, I've had my fair share of health issues over the past couple of weeks so we've had to shuffle up the posting schedule a bit. Earlier this week, I unfortunately dislocated my knee, so I thought it was only fitting to be talking about a couple of the shorter coastal walks you can do around Sydney Harbour (and which I now can't do, yay...) Now neither of these walks are anywhere near as strenuous as the Manly to Spit Bridge hike Brendan posted about a couple of weeks ago. Both of these walks are less than 5km, but the both still provide jaw-dropping views of the harbour and surrounding bushland you just can't see by car, bus, or train.

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Taronga to Bradleys Head

 The Taronga to Bradleys Head trail stretches from the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf to the top of the peninsula where Bradleys Head Lighthouse. The walk is a short 1.5km track each way, with very minimal stairs or inclines and lots of seating areas along the way, making it very suitable for everyone from families with young children to elderly couples. Depending on how fast you walk and how many photos you stop and take along the way, this walk will talk about 30 minutes each way, walking at a leisurely pace.

Along the way, you are surrounded by the fresh earthy smells of the eucalypt forests on one side and the salty sea air of the harbour on the other. A large portion of the walk is trailing through the dense bushland where you can read about the flora and fauna of the area. However, as you approach Bradleys Head, the bushland opens and you're greeted with an uninterrupted view across the harbour to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge - a perfect photo opportunity (which I unfortunately forgot to save on Snapchat, how typical...)!

When you finally get to Bradleys Head, there are a few picnic tables around and lots of space for small kids to run around and play games. Plus there is a lot of space for you to set up a picnic blanket near the old wharf as seen in the picture below, with another perfect view of the harbour. Not a bad place to have lunch if you ask me! Now you can do this walk from either direction, by catching the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga or there is ample parking at Bradleys Head for you to walk down to Taronga. It just depends on what you want to do while you're there! Either way, I highly recommend this walk for a fun Sunday afternoon with friends of family on a nice sunny Sydney day!

Hermitage Foreshore Walk

Another great coastal walk to do with family and friends is the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, off the coast of Vaucluse. This walk is about 2km each way and is slightly more difficult than the Bradleys Head trail as there are a LOT more stairs involved. However, in my opinion, it's totally worth it. The views are better, there's more to do and its just generally more exciting because you're constantly wondering what is going to come around the next bend. In fact, I was to busy admiring the views, I completely forgot to take any photos myself! Overall, the walk took me about an hour one way, but a large portion of that was spent staring in awe at the view ad exploring some of the sites along the way.

This walk starts that the bottom of a VERY steep hill in the very high class area of Vaucluse. Throughout the walk, you are walking alongside some of the most expensive mansions with impeccable views of the harbour you will probably ever see. If you're lucky, you'll even have some people standing on their balconies looking down at you, just so you can reaffirm your position in this world. But that's beside the point of course. Ignoring that and looking the other way, you pretty much constantly have a tremendous view of the water.

Image from https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

Along the walk, you come across quite a few little secluded beaches you never would've known were there unless you did this walk. The most prominent of which was Milk Beach, which is apparently quite popular considering its in the middle of a bush track with no road access. However, the sand was very clean and soft and the water was very clear and blue, so I could understand the appeal. Also along the way was Strickland House, a historical national estate, which is only open to the public one day a year. Although, there are large lawns around the property with spectacular views of the harbour, which would be perfect for picnic or even a proposal place for you lovebirds. 

Image from https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

At the other end of the walk is Nielsen Park, complete with cafe and netted swimming beach - a perfect afternoon spot for families. I spent meant Sunday afternoons in the summertime here with my family as I was growing up and will probably continue to do so for a long time to come. It is a great spot with plenty of tables and shady areas which is perfect for pale people like me who always get burnt from the sun. 

So there you have it, two easy and relaxing coastal walks you can do with family and friends on a warm sunny afternoon. I would 100% recommend both walks if you're a lover of the outdoors and want to see what Sydney has to offer when you take the time to look a bit closer.

Until next time,

Patricia ☺