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Walking Sydney Harbour

Walking Sydney Harbour

'It's exhilarating and healthy'

Walking Sydney Harbour is a partnership project between community walking volunteers, State, local and federal governments and other authorities. The partners share the vision to improve public access to, and enhance the recreational enjoyment of Sydney Harbour and its tributaries for the people of Sydney and visitors to the city.

Harbour walks

Harbour Circle Walk

Sydney Harbour is one of the great harbours of the world. The 26km Harbour Circle walk explores west of the Harbour Bridge to Hunters Hill. It is truly a magnificent walk focusing on the Harbour itself - the expanse of the water, the bridges, islands, urban bushland and city skyline. The route winds along parts of the foreshore into bays and on to headlands, through bush, along historic streets and over grand bridges.

Harbour Circle walk map [PDF]
Harbour Circle walk general information [PDF]

The main route is marked in red on the map. The north side section (Harbour Bridge to Hunters Hill) is 12 km and takes five hours. The south side section is 14 km but slightly easier and also takes five hours. There are also a number of magnificent additional loop walks (marked in green on the map), to explore scenic and historic areas in more detail.

Historical notes and a description of the Harbour Circle route prepared by Graham Spindler of the Walking Volunteers are available on request. Email harbour@planning.nsw.gov.au or phone the Department on 02 9228 6256.

Harbour Bridge to Spit Bridge

The routes between these two bridges embrace inner and outer harbour views, a cross section of some of Sydney's most interesting residential streets, as well as the history from Aboriginal times through to the First Fleet, whaling, Federation and the Harbour fortifications. In addition, the routes wind over headlands and ridges, skirts many viewpoints, and pass through many parks, gardens, rainforest remnants and bushlands.

Harbour Bridge to Spit walk map [PDF 1.6MB]
Harbour Bridge to Spit walk general information[PDF 347KB]

Harbour Bridge to Great North Walk

While many will want to start the 250km Great North Walk to Newcastle by the traditional ferry to Hunters Hill, others might want to walk over the Harbour Bridge and experience the rich natural beauty and historic features of the North Shore before joining The Great North Walk and then on to Newcastle. Many loop walks can be taken through this varied area.

Harbour Bridge to Great North walk map [PDF 1.6MB]
Harbour Bridge to Great North walk general information [PDF 347KB]

Harbour Bridge to South Head and Clovelly

This walk follows the south-east shoreline of Sydney Harbour before turning southward along the ocean beaches and cliffs. The main 30km Harbour Bridge to South Head and Clovelly walk is mostly easy but fascinating walking. Cutting a 7km diagonal across the route between Rushcutters Bay and Clovelly, is part of the Federation Track which, in full, runs from Brisbane to Melbourne.

Linked by these two main walks, are over 45km of optional loop walks and alternative connecting walks, through parks, waterfronts, historic sites, interesting streetscapes and ever-changing views.

Harbour Bridge to South Head and Clovelly walk map [PDF]
Harbour Bridge to South Head and Clovelly general information [PDF]

Further information

Brochures outlets

Printed copies of the walk map brochures are also available at no cost from the following centres. Please call to ensure the map you want is currently in stock.

Department of Planning Information Centre
23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney
Phone: 02 9228 6333 or email: information@planning.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Visitor Centres
Cnr Argyle and Playfair steets, The Rocks
33 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
Phone (both): 02 9240 8788

National Parks and Wildlife Service  
Cadmans Cottage at Circular Quay, and Middle Head and Lane Cove national parks

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
Building 28, Best Avenue (off Suakin Drive), Mosman
Phone: 02 8969 2100

Select brochures are also available from local council offices along the route.

Other information sources

More information about walks, open space and activities around the harbour is available from:

State agencies:


Sydney Coastal Councils Group:
Local councils:
Community environment groups: Step Inc.

Acknowledgments

These walk brochures have been developed by Walking Volunteers in close collaboration with the Department of Planning, the Sydney Coastal Councils Group, local councils, other authorities and Sydway Street Directories mapping division. The Working Volunteers members are Jim & Therese Archibald, Neil & Pam Hardie, Phil Jenkyn, Ian Napier, Bill (Coordinator) & Nedra Orme, Don & Laura Riddell, Leigh Shearer-Heriot, Cameron Sparks and Graham Spindler.

The Harbour Circle walk brochure and Harbour Bridge to Great North Walk brochure were jointly funded by the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program in partnership with the relevant local, state and federal agencies. The program funding partners are Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, NSW Maritime and the Department of Planning.

Feedback

Please phone the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program Coordinator on (02) 9228 6256 or email harbour@planning.nsw.gov.au.



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