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Sydney's hidden coastal walks

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, Palm BeachCredit: Destination NSW

Along the walk from Barrenjoey to Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

Sydney's hidden coastal walks

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, Palm Beach Credit: Destination NSW

Along the walk from Barrenjoey to Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

Hashtags #feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

While walks such as the clifftop path from Bondi to Coogee are justifiably famous, there’s a handful of lesser-known coastal tracks in Sydney that are well worth the hike. From serene strolls to adventurous clifftop climbs, and with stunning views and secluded swimming spots to be enjoyed, feel refreshed walking one of these hidden tracks. 

Resolute Track, Northern Beaches 

This 3.7km return track in  Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, a 45-minute drive north of the city centre on the Northern Beaches, may be short but it’s steep. Beginning at the Resolute Picnic Area, the Resolute Track takes in two important Aboriginal sites: Red Hands Cave (a slight detour off the track) and rock engravings. It’s impossible not to feel moved while studying the ochre handprints at Red Hands Cave, made by the Garigal people who lived at West Head, which are of great historical and cultural significance. Further down the Resolute Track you’ll find ancient human and animal figures carved into the flat sandstone. The trail passes through heath, bushland and rainforest, opening out to incredibly beautiful glimpses of azure water, and bypasses the secluded Resolute Beach. There are also optional additional trails to West Head Beach.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse to Avalon Beach, Northern Beaches 

The northernmost point of Sydney’s coastline, about 90 minutes’ drive north of the city centre, is the starting point for this walk. You’ll begin with a steep hike up Barrenjoey Headland, with its sandstone Barrenjoey Lighthouse, built in 1881. Here you’re rewarded with spectacular views of Pittwater on one side, and Broken Bay on the other. You’ll then make your way south along Palm Beach, over the headland and through the serene bushland of McKay Reserve (a popular spot for weddings) to Whale Beach. The rugged Bangalley Head, just before Avalon Beach, is the highest point on the Northern Beaches coastline. Pick out the five species of banksias as you walk, then stand still for a moment to see if you can catch a glimpse of the honeyeaters that come to sup on the plants.

Narrabeen Lagoon to Manly Lagoon, Northern Beaches 

This 12km Northern Beaches walk has it all: headlands, beaches, rock pools and four lagoons. Begin at the foreshore of Narrabeen Lagoon, (also known as Narrabeen Lake), in the beachside suburb of Narrabeen, then wind your way down across the adjoining Narrabeen and Collaroy surf beaches —the area’s largest stretch of sand — and up to Long Reef Headland. The trail then passes Dee Why, Curl Curl and Freshwater Beaches and lagoons. The moment when you plunge into the cool after working up a sweat is one of sweet relief and will leave you feeling revitalised for the rest of the walk. There are several options for additional loop trails along the way if you’re feeling more energetic — the walk is especially lovely when the rugged headlands are blooming with spring flowers. The hike will take most of the day, but if you want to cut it short, there are bus stops at various points along the trail.

Resolute Beach Credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW

Resolute Beach, on the Resolute Track in Sydney’s Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

Resolute Beach Credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW

Resolute Beach, on the Resolute Track in Sydney’s Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen Credit: Destination NSW

Sun rising over North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen Credit: Destination NSW

Sun rising over North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

Malabar Headland walks, Eastern Suburbs 

The two trails in Malabar Headland National Park, between Maroubra and Malabar Beaches, are surely the least known of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs coastal walks. The 1km Western Escarpment track winds through national park bushland, while the 3.7km Boora Point track in the east, which opened in 2017, has stunning coastal views and heritage structures from World War II. If you go at sunset, the beach below will be bathed in golden light. This track is closed on Saturdays, the third Sunday of each month and when the nearby ANZAC Rifle Range is in use, so check before visiting. If you’re walking between May to November, bring binoculars for a chance to see the migrating humpback whales as they swim past - it’s a thrill seeing them breach.   

Botany Bay Coastal Walk, southern Sydney 

There are two separate sections of Kamay Botany Bay National Park: one section on the city side of the Botany Bay takes in La Perouse and the most southern of the Eastern Suburbs. The other, at Kurnell, an hour’s drive south of central Sydney, occupies the rugged headland across the mouth of the bay. Venture to the Kurnell side and you’ll find a 13km trail winding down along the coast to Cronulla, passing sand dunes, rock formations, heathland and hanging swamps. The beautiful Cape Solander lookout and Cape Baily track are also popular for whale watching during the migration season. (Watch your feet as well as the whales, as the cliffs here are unfenced.) The trail also passes through Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve, which is great for snorkelling if you’ve come prepared; spot the endangered sooty oystercatchers and migratory waders here and feel time slow down as you peacefully explore the many rockpools that are full of life. From Boat Harbour you can walk all the way along the beach to Cronulla. (Note that four-wheel-drive vehicles can access Boat Harbour, so you may be sharing the first stretch of the beach with them.)

Cronulla Beach Walk, southern Sydney 

An easy 4km one-way walk from Wanda Beach to Bass and Flinders Point, this trail along the Cronulla peninsula has plenty of options if you’d like to stop for a swim, with ocean pools and rocky shallows at secluded reserves (at Hungry Point, further along from Bass and Flinders Point, and Salmon Haul Reserve, overlooking Port Hacking River). Watch the kids have a ball as you stop at the playgrounds and picnic areas along the way, with lovely views of the Royal National Park, making it a great choice for a family outing. There are also cafés at South Cronulla Beach (most notably Zimzala) and across the road from the park at Shelly Beach if you don’t want to be weighed down with supplies. Doing the return route with energy to spare? When you get back to Wanda Beach you can continue about 4km along the beach to Boat Harbour.

Jibbon Loop Track, Royal National Park 

For secluded beaches, dense, wild scrub and Aboriginal engravings in the pretty southern suburb of Bundeena, the Jibbon Loop track takes you from the township along the coast and back over 6.8km. The walk starts at Bundeena Ferry Wharf, along Jibbon Beach, which is part of the Royal National Park; you’ll feel like you’ve travelled out of the city at this pristine spot. You can take a detour and check out Little Jibbon Beach, which has great views across to Cronulla, as well as Aboriginal engravings of marine and land mammals. Further along is Shelley Beach, a rocky bay that feels wild and isolated, and expansive views off an unofficial lookout.

 

Australia Day, Curl Curl Credit: Destination NSW

Curl Curl Beach, one of the northern Sydney beaches you’ll encounter on the walk from Narrabeen to Manly Lagoon.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

Australia Day, Curl Curl Credit: Destination NSW

Curl Curl Beach, one of the northern Sydney beaches you’ll encounter on the walk from Narrabeen to Manly Lagoon.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Credit: Destination NSW

Aerial overlooking Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell in Sydney's south.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Credit: Destination NSW

Aerial overlooking Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell in Sydney's south.

#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney

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