If you’re looking to swap out Bondi for bushland this winter, Sydney’s national parks offer some of the state’s most spectacular natural escapes.
Did you know Sydney is home to some of the world’s oldest national parks, including the oldest in Australia and the second-oldest on Earth? These protected wilderness areas are packed with wildlife, towering eucalyptus trees, natural swimming holes and breathtaking coastal views, offering an easy escape into nature just a short drive or train ride from the city.
While most visitors are familiar with the Blue Mountains, Sydney is surrounded by an incredible network of national parks that often fly under the radar. We’ve rounded up the national parks worth exploring, including where to find them, the best hikes to tackle and the top activities to enjoy once you’re there.
Whether you’re looking for a challenging bushwalk, a peaceful picnic spot, a secluded beach or the chance to spot migrating whales, these are the best national parks to explore in and around Sydney.
Sydney’s best national parks
Royal National Park
Where is the Royal National Park?
The Royal National Park is located just an hour south of Sydney and can be reached by public transport. You can get a train from Central Station to Cronulla, and then hop on the ferry to Bundeena. If you’re looking to do a bush walk, you can get a train to Heathcote and complete the Karloo Pools Track, or follow the Uloola Firetrail to get to Waterfall Station.
If you’re driving to the Royal National Park, the entry fee is $12 per vehicle per day. There are car parks located at all popular spots, including Audley, Wattamolla, Garie Beach, and Garawarra Farm.
The oldest National Park in Australia, and the second-oldest national park in the world, it spans over 15,000 hectares and is a haven for hiking, surfing, whale watching and cycling.
Best hikes in the Royal National Park
The Coast Track: 26km one-way
The most famous Royal National Park hike is the two-day-long, 26km one-way hike and camping adventure, The Coast Track. Here, you’ll walk between the towns of Bundeena and Otford, passing waterfalls, cliffs, secluded beaches and incredible lookouts.
Bundeena to Wedding Cake Rock: 5.8km return
Unfortunately, the North Era Campsite (which most hikers would previously have pitched at) has been permanently closed. If you’re not a pro hiker, I’d recommend doing the track bit by bit, starting with walking from Bundeena to Wedding Cake Rock for stunning views and a well-maintained trail, featuring both gravel paths and metal boardwalks. This is a 5.8-kilometre hike one-way.
Bundenna to Wattamolla: 18.2km return
For more experienced hikers keen for a longer track, walk from Bundeena to Wattamolla and enjoy coastal views, shoreside flora and plenty of wildlife, from birds to whales. This route totals 18.2 kilometres.
Best activities in the Royal National Park
Visit the Figure Eight Pools
One of the best ways to visit the Figure Eight Pools is on an Emu Trekker’s guided tour, which takes you along the stunning Royal National Park coastline before reaching the natural rock pools. Although this is a hike you could do without a guide, the pools are only accessible during low tide and in flat surf conditions.
The tour guides conduct thorough risk assessments both before and on the day of each hike to ensure conditions are safe for visiting the Figure Eight Pools. Better still, every dollar raised supports the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and UNICEF Australia, meaning your booking not only helps fund an award-winning eco-certified experience but also contributes to two important causes. The tour starts at $99 per person.
Self-guided kayak trip
If you’re keen to have a paddle, head out on a two-hour self-guided kayak trip with Bundeena Kayaks. Costing just $50 per person, you can check out all the best beaches along Bundeena’s coastline. Make sure you pack a picnic and stop at one of the beautiful sandspits for a break.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Where is the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park?
Sydney is actually sandwiched by two of the world’s oldest national parks: the Royal National Park is to the south, and the Ku-ring-gai National Park is to the north. Located around 25 kilometres from the CBD, this natural wonderland stretches along the Hawkesbury River and Pittwater and can be reached in just 45 minutes by car. It costs $12 for a standard vehicle to enter the park. You can also reach the outskirts of the National Park by getting a train to Mount Ku-ring-gai Station.
We’d divide Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park into three main sections: Bobbin Head, West Head and the park’s eastern section. While they appear relatively close on a map, the winding roads and limited connections between them mean that travelling from one area to another can take longer than you might expect.
If it’s your first time visiting the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, we’d recommend heading to West Head for the day, for incredible bushwalks, Aboriginal engraving sites and stunning views.
Best hikes in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
America Bay Track: 2km return
If you’ve decided to drive down West Head Road and want to see some of the Aboriginal rock art sites, hike the America Bay track, which is an easy two-kilometre return. You’ll eventually reach a spectacular, natural lookout across Cowan Water after a descent through eucalyptus forest.
Resolute Loop: 4.8km return
If you’re a sucker for a pretty beach, make sure you hike the Resolute Loop, where you’ll make your way through forest and down to the stunning Resolute Beach. On All Trails, this walk is called the “Aboriginal Heritage Walk“, as it passes two incredible Aboriginal rock art sites.
Elvina Trail and Fredericks Track: 6.4km return
The Elvina Trail and Fredericks Track is a 6.4km walk that combines the easy-to-navigate Elvina fire trail with the more rugged Fredericks Track. You’ll see Aboriginal rock engravings and will also be able to detour to the Lovett Bay waterfall, where you can stop off for a dip.
Walk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse: 1km one-way
Fun fact: part of Palm Beach is actually located in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, despite the peninsula being separated from the majority of the Park by the waters of Pittwater. If you want to experience a day that combines the beach town with exploring a sliver of the park, walk to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse for stunning views of Palm Beach.
Best activities in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Check out the views at West Head Lookout
Head to West Head Lookout at the end of West Head Road for what is arguably one of the most spectacular views in Sydney. From the lookout, you can take the steep track down to secluded West Head Beach, where calm waters make for a refreshing swim surrounded by pristine national park scenery.
Picnic at Bobbin Head
Located on the park’s western edge, Bobbin Head is a peaceful spot ideal for a picnic, a leisurely coffee or lunch by the water. The area is also home to a scenic mangrove boardwalk, where you can enjoy birdwatching and take in the beauty of the surrounding bushland. You can also visit Empire Marina to arrange a boat hire or spend a relaxing afternoon fishing on the water.
Blue Mountains National Park
Where is the Blue Mountains National Park?
The Blue Mountains is one of Sydney’s most popular tourist destinations, as well as one of the largest and most intact regions of protected bushland in Australia. Just 60 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, it’s approximately a 90-minute drive or a two-hour train journey to reach its main tourist hubs, Katoomba and Leura.
The Blue Mountains take their name from the distinctive blue haze that often blankets the landscape. Visible from lookouts across the region, this phenomenon is created by millions of eucalyptus trees releasing tiny droplets of oil into the atmosphere. As these droplets mix with water vapour and dust particles, they scatter sunlight in a way that gives the mountains their iconic blue hue.
Best hikes in the Blue Mountains National Park
Echo Point to Scenic World: 4.5km one-way
My personal favourite hike in the Blue Mountains always manages to terrify me and amaze me at the same time. Start at Echo Point, where you can take in stunning views of the Three Sisters, before hiking down the 800 steel and stone steps into the valley. The descent is steep enough to have you gripping the handrail as you make your way down, with a healthy dose of adrenaline thrown in for good measure.
Once you reach the bottom of the steps, you can continue around to reach Scenic World, where you can ride the Scenic Railway back to the top. A few warnings to anyone doing the hike: the last train goes at 4:50pm, and it costs $64 per adult to ride (though this gets you access to Scenic World’s Cableway and Skyway too.
If you’d rather skip the Scenic Railway, be prepared for a challenging climb back up the Furber Steps. The ascent is steep, but the reward is a series of spectacular rainforest and valley views along the way.
Three Sisters Walk: 1km one-way
This family-friendly, popular walk promises some of the best views of the Blue Mountains, while also being well signposted and easy to follow. Stop by the various lookout points and snap pictures of the sweeping eucalypt forest and the grand Three Sisters.
Guided hikes and tours
If you’d prefer to explore with an expert, there are plenty of guided tours available throughout the Blue Mountains, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. The Blue Mountains Adventure Company hosts plenty of exciting guided walks, from six-day summits to short, two-hour trips.
Best activities in the Blue Mountains National Park
Scenic World
The rides at Scenic World are a highlight of any Blue Mountains visit, particularly for families or those who’d rather soak up the scenery without tackling a full day of hiking. Experience the world’s steepest passenger railway as it plunges into the rainforest, glide above the Jamison Valley on the Scenic Cableway, and take in sweeping views from the Scenic Skyway as it travels between clifftops overlooking the iconic Three Sisters and Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
Blue Mountain Cultural Centre
Located in Katoomba, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre hosts a variety of art exhibitions throughout the year, as well as workshops, markets and concerts. They also share information about the Street Art Walk and the Katoomba Urban Art Trail, where visitors can go on self-guided strolls and take in the stunning murals around Katoomba’s town centre.
Bygone Beautys Treasured Teapot Museum & Tearooms
For a delightfully quirky detour, visit the Bygone Beautys Treasured Teapot Museum & Tearooms, home to the world’s largest private collection of teawares. After browsing thousands of teapots and vintage treasures, settle in for the venue’s renowned silver-service Traditional High Tea or indulge in a classic Devonshire Tea.
Lane Cove National Park
Where is Lane Cove National Park?
The Lane Cove National Park is one of Sydney’s lesser-known, despite being 670 hectares large. Located just 10 kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD, the National Park sits on either side of the Lane Cove River.
If you’re heading to Lane Cove National Park from the CBD, you can drive via the Gore Hill Freeway/M1, take the 288 bus from Wynyard, or hop on the metro to North Ryde Station, just a 15-minute walk from the park.
Best hikes in Lane Cove National Park
Riverside Walking Track: 10km loop
A staple route is the Riverside Walking Track, a scenic 10-kilometre loop through Lane Cove National Park that follows the river, offering peaceful bushland, picnic spots, birdwatching opportunities and abundant wildlife just minutes from Sydney’s CBD.
Fairyland Loop Track: 5km loop
If you’re looking to do a shorter, but still substantial walk, complete the five-kilometre circuit called the Fairyland Loop Track. Following the Lane Cove River through a mix of mangroves, salt marshes and open forest, you’ll pass the site of the historic Fairyland Pleasure Grounds, a popular 19th-century picnic spot. The walk also offers opportunities to spot local wildlife, including water dragons and red-bellied black snakes.
Best activities in Lane Cove National Park
Forest Minds Guided Therapy Walk
Join a Forest Minds guided therapy walk, designed to support both mental and physical well-being. Led by an experienced Forest Minds guide, the gentle experience features a series of mindfulness activities inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, aimed at reducing stress and encouraging relaxation.
Picnic at Carter Creek
Stop by Carter Creek picnic area for a relaxed riverside lunch, with shaded picnic tables overlooking the water and free gas barbecues available if you feel like cooking your own feast.
Stay at Lane Cove Safari Tent
If you’re feeling boujie and fancy a night staying in the National Park, check out one of Sydney’s most luxurious camping experiences at Lane Cove Safari Tent. Perched on a sandstone shelf overlooking the Lane Cove Valley, the tent combines comfortable facilities with a peaceful bush setting.
Sydney Harbour National Park
Where is the Sydney Harbour National Park?
Protecting islands and foreshore all around Sydney’s Harbour, the Sydney Harbour National Park is mainly based by Port Jackson Bay, protecting landforms like Bradleys Head, Middle Head, Nielsen Park and Fort Denison.
One of the best things about Sydney Harbour National Park is how easy it is to reach by public transport. Nielsen Park is accessible via the 324 and 325 buses from the CBD, while Bradleys Head can be reached by catching a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Wharf and following a short walk to the trailhead.
Best hikes in Sydney Harbour National Park
Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay: 8.5km one-way
The 8.5km Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk is one of Sydney’s most scenic harbour trails, passing Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head and a series of secluded bays with spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Winding through bushland, past the historic Bradleys Head Lighthouse and along peaceful waterfront tracks, the walk offers plenty of opportunities to stop for a swim, with the secluded Taylor’s Bay a standout spot.
Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh to Georges Head: 6km return
The Middle Head–Gubbuh Gubbuh to Georges Head walking track combines stunning harbour views, bushland and some of Sydney’s most significant military history. Along the 6km return walk, you’ll explore historic forts, gun emplacements, tunnels and defence structures dating from the 1800s through to World War II. The trail also passes through beautiful native bushland and coastal lookouts, including panoramic views across Sydney Harbour.
Spit Bridge to Manly: 10km one-way
The 10km Spit Bridge to Manly walk is one of Sydney’s most iconic coastal trails, linking a series of beautiful harbour beaches, bushland tracks and scenic lookouts along the harbour foreshore. Beginning at Spit Bridge, the moderate walk passes highlights including Clontarf Beach, Castle Rock Beach and the ancient Grotto Point Aboriginal rock engravings, with plenty of opportunities for swimming and wildlife spotting along the way. The trail finishes in Manly, where you can reward yourself with a scoop of gelato before embarking on the ferry ride back to Circular Quay.
Hermitage Foreshore Walk: 2km one-way
Beginning at Nielsen Park, the Hermitage Foreshore Track may be short, but it packs in some of Sydney Harbour’s most spectacular views. The scenic waterfront walk passes secluded swimming spots, including Milk Beach, Hermit Beach and Shark Beach, making it easy to stop for a dip along the way. Follow the foreshore as it winds towards Bayview Hill Road, taking in views of Shark Island, the city skyline and the grand historic mansion of Strickland House.
Best activities in Sydney Harbour National Park
Picnic on the grounds of Strickland House Estate
Marvel at the beautiful Strickland House Estate, a 19th-century estate heritage treasure with grounds perfect for a picnic.
Have lunch at The Nielsen by Shark Beach
The nets at Shark Beach are a popular swimming spot for visitors and locals, and what better way to reward yourself post-dip with a coffee and sando from The Nielsen, a pretty, laidback kiosk cafe just steps from the sand.
Head to the historic Hornby Lighthouse at Watsons Bay
Perched above the cliffs of Watsons Bay, the iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse was built in 1858 after the tragic wreck of the Dunbar off South Head. Pause to take in the sweeping ocean views and admire one of Sydney’s most distinctive coastal landmarks.
Look for whales off South Head
While you’re admiring Hornby Lighthouse, keep an eye on the horizon for migrating whales. Between May and November, humpbacks can often be seen swimming and breaching just offshore, offering a chance to witness one of nature’s great spectacles without stepping aboard a whale-watching cruise.
