The best Sydney bush walks you can do in a day

When people think of Sydney, they often think of the city: The Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the restaurants, bars and cafes. But Sydney is surrounded by national parks, too; offering picnic sites, campgrounds, wildlife, expansive beaches, native plants, waterfalls and loads of indigenous culture and history.

The walks below range from one to five hours and can be easily done in a day. National Parks NSW have graded these walks so before commencing please consult their website to make sure you have the ability and fitness levels recommended.

Jellybean Track

The Jellybean Track leads to the famous Jellybean Pools in Glenbrook Gorge. Here, you can take a dip in the fresh water after walking downhill along the beautiful sandstone cliffs. Located in the Blue Mountains National Park, it’s a short 1km loop, and is a popular option with families. It can get busy on weekends and holidays. The creek may be dangerous after heavy rain so always check conditions before swimming.

Time: 30 – 60 mins
Distance: 1 km
Difficulty: Grade 3

Wentworth Falls Loop Walking Track

Another stunning bush walk in the Blue Mountains National Park, you can check out the famous Wentworth Falls for yourself on this short but steep walk. There are lots of other hikes you can do in this area, and check out different lookouts – and the town itself is great, too!

Time: 45 mins – 1 hr
Distance: 1.4 kms
Difficulty: Grade 3

Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Explore Aboriginal rock engravings on this walk, located in Ku-ring-gai National Park. Starting at the Resolute picnic area, the walk takes you to West Head lookout and back in a 4.4km loop. From the lookout you can see Barrenjoey Lighthouse and a number of beaches. It’s also a great spot for some birdwatching.

Time: 2.5 – 3.5 hrs
Distance: 4.4 kms
Difficulty: Grade 4

Karloo Walking Track

The Karloo walk, part of the Royal National Park, starts right at Heathcote train station, making it an easy-to-access walk. Car parking is also available here. Like Jellybean Track, the bush walk ends up at a swimming hole, with plenty of areas of flat rock great for picnics and relaxing. You can also see some waterfalls along the way. A 10km return track takes you to and from the carpark near the station.

Time: 3 – 5 hrs
Distance: 10 kms
Difficulty: Grade 3

Bundeena Drive to Marley Walk

Also part of the Royal National Park, the Bundeena walk is popular for its pristine beach views, bushland and freshwater pools and creeks. It is also a good spot for whale watching during the migratory season.

Time: 1.5 – 2.5 hrs
Distance: 8 kms
Difficulty: Grade 2

Before you head out for the day, tell someone where you are going, check the weather and pack carefully. Read these tips from National Parks NSW.  

There are lots of other bush walks in Sydney and its surrounds. Have a look online for walking websites for more information, and for longer and more challenging walks.