Make the most of Sydney’s open spaces and soak up the sunshine in the great outdoors. Plunge into the waves at one of the city’s glorious beaches, be dazzled by the light on a harbour cruise, relax in lush urban parklands or embrace the sea breezes on a spectacular coastal walk.  

Take a walk on Sydney’s wild side  

Be amazed by much untouched wilderness there is within Sydney’s city limits, much of it lining the rugged harbour foreshores and stunning coastline. Take in impressive views across the harbour and its most famous icons, including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, on the 4km Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay trail starting at Taronga Zoo Wharf, on the harbour’s northern shore. Head to Sydney’s northern tip to tackle the Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk, which looks out across the ocean and the protected Pittwater. Or test your fitness by trekking a section of the 26km Bundeena to Otford track in the Royal National Park to the south.  

Pick up the pace 

Lace up your running shoes to see Sydney from a fresh perspective. Make the famous sails of the Sydney Opera House the backdrop to your run as you power along the pedestrian pathway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from The Rocks to Milsons Point at its northern end. Let the sights and sounds of waves crashing against rocks and surging onto sandy beaches accompany you as you pound the clifftop paths of the iconic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Or venture to the city’s inner west suburbs to hit The Bay Run, a 7km loop around Iron Cove linking Leichhardt, Haberfield, Drummoyne and Russell Lea — download a map of the run here. 

Feel like you’re on top of the world 

Make indelible memories as you survey a glittering harbour from the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of Sydney’s most famous landmarks. Ascend through the world’s largest steel arch with BridgeClimb, starting at dawn to see the sun break over the city, or at sunset to watch millions of twinkling lights spring to life. Opt for the Ultimate Climb to conquer the entire bridge from south to north and back again, absorbing 360-degree views of the harbour and city below. Or hear fascinating and enlightening tales of Sydney’s Aboriginal past and present on BridgeClimb’s Burrawa Indigenous Experience, during which you’ll be guided by an Indigenous Storyteller guide.  

Make a splash on the harbour 

Get a taste for sailing as you take in Sydney Harbour’s must-see sights on a three-hour sailing trip or a private charter on a luxury yacht with Sydney By Sail. Work up a sweat (and see the Sydney Opera House close up) on a kayak tour with OzPaddle, which operates right in the city centre as well as in the eastern suburb of Rose Bay. Just feel like a dip? Plunge into Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, a 50m saltwater pool with a café nestled between the harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden at the fringe of the city centre.  

Saddle up in Centennial Park  

Revel in the chance to ride a horse in a big city at Centennial Parklands, Sydney’s greatest green space. The parklands encompass Centennial Park, which has a dedicated equestrian track alongside walking and cycling paths, as well as neighbouring Queens Park and Moore Park. Enjoy a leisurely ride on one of Eastside Riding Academy’s horses as you loop around Centennial Park for one hour. (These rides are suitable for people of all skill levels, but note there’s a weight limit of 80kg.) The academy also offers hand-led 30-minute pony rides for children and both private and group horse-riding lessons. Prefer to get around under your own steam? Hire a two- or four-seater Pedal Car from Centennial Park Cycles and amble around the park’s mostly flat Grand Drive.  

Head east or north for great snorkelling 

Slip under the waves and discover diverse marine life such as sea molluscs, surgeonfish and blue gropers at Clovelly Beach in Sydney’s east. Ease into the water via a series of concrete steps and platforms at this narrow sandy beach, renowned as one of the best snorkelling spots in the city, and kick your way across crystal-clear waters to float over protected reefs. Venture out into more open waters at nearby Gordons Bay, following the self-guided Gordons Bay Underwater Nature Trail, a 600m diving or snorkelling trail linked by an underwater chain of information plaques. At Manly Beach, around a 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay in the city’s north, join an EcoTreasures guided snorkelling tour of the protected Cabbage Tree Marine Reserve, which is also home to blue gropers as well as harmless wobbegong sharks and shimming nudibranchs (sea slugs). 

Make the trek south to Cronulla  

Make the most of a sun-soaked day by hiking and swimming across Cronulla, a stunning stretch of coastline around a 45-minute drive or a 50-minute train ride south of the city centre. Follow the 4km Cronulla Beach Walk from Wanda Beach to the local landmark of Bass and Flinders Point, stopping to swim at one of the patrolled beaches or ocean pools along the cliffside walk, and refuelling at one of the many beachside cafés in the area. Follow Cronulla’s beaches north all the way to Kamay Botany Bay National Park, taking in sand dunes and rugged coastline along the way. Or simply enjoy the laidback beach vibes, perhaps taking a beginner surf lesson with Cronulla Surfing Academy and tackling the suburb’s famous surf breaks. 

Get wet in Western Sydney  

Seek out an aquatic adventure in Western Sydney, which has become a must-do destination for water sports enthusiasts. Thrill to guided and unguided rafting and kayaking at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, the only man-made white-water course in the southern hemisphere (it was built to host the canoe and kayak slalom competitions in the Sydney 2000 Olympics). Try cable skiing, wakeboarding and knee boarding at the world-class facility at Cables Wake Park, also in Penrith. And let your kids aged five and over loose on the slides, trampolines and obstacles at Cables Wake Park’s inflatable Aqua Park.