Ocean Walks around Sydney

I’ve lived in Sydney twice, for half a year before I had my son, and so far four years, since 2011. It is a beautiful city. I’m really lucky to live here and have seen so much of this great place. Almost everywhere you drive here, you see beaches, or ocean, I feel really lucky! Three days a week I travel over a bridge and see boats, tranquil water and beautiful homes. I know I’m truly lucky!

So here are some of my favourite places to walk around Sydney. For more coastal adventures nearby, see our guides to the Northern Beaches, Jervis Bay, and O’Reilly’s Treetop Walk…

Bronte Beach to Bondi Beach

My number 1 favourite is walking from Bronte Beach to Bondi Beach. The views are unbelievable. I have read in the past that this is part of one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the world and (so far) I’d have to agree. I should have so many photos, but typical… I can’t find many of them. So here are a couple that I could find! I’ll create a link to a photo gallery when I find the rest!!

This walk can be started as far as Coogee Beach, possibly even further… But with kids, Bronte to Bondi was perfect! You can even continue on as far as The Gap, Watson’s Bay… I definitely was not keen to go that far!

Sea Cliff Bridge Walk

My next favourite walk is the Sea Cliff Bridge walk by Coalcliff. This bridge can be found just over an hours drive from Sydney. It is a road that winds along the cliff, and in some places, it is over the ocean. There is a nice wide pathway, and it’s a beautiful walk looking out to the ocean.

Once you have finished your walk (or before you start), you can relax with a picnic at Stanwell Tops.

Valcluse to The Gap, Watson’s Bay

When we first moved to Sydney, we were lucky to live in Bondi. We spent a lot of time at the beaches, and one of our favourite weekend activities was walking from Vaucluse to Watson’s Bay. Back then we didn’t take the kids up the stairs to the top because they were always tired by the end. But this year we went up!

Our starting point is usually around Christison Park (but you can start further, like Bondi, Bronte or Coogee). You will see this lighthouse on Old South Head Road. It is pretty hard to miss…

If you walk during whale season (July to November), make sure to look out to the ocean carefully. Once we were sitting on a hill having a picnic. I noticed a couple of splashes, and these happened to humpback whales! That was the first time I saw whales from land and it was a really awesome moment. I think we got a bit lucky, but one of the locals there told us that you see them quite frequently along that cliff.

There are some really good city views…

And some sweet as ocean views…

Watson’s Bay is a lovely place to end your walk. You’ll find an enclosed playground and a place to get gelato (Sydney prices though)… And when you are all tired, you can catch a bus back to where ever you parked your car. Perfect!

Oatley to Como Rail Bridge

Since 2013 I have caught the train over one hundred times to the city - I used to commute to work in the city. I used to look forward to the moment we would get to the bridge, and I would stare out at the beauty (moored boats, tranquil water) for those five or ten seconds crossing the bridge.

Finally, in 2015 (after crossing this bridge 150 times), I got my A into G and made a day of it. I caught the train to Oatley train station (a 30 minute train from Central). It is a short walk from Oatley Station to the bridge. Along the way there is a playground, (I seem to be super awesome at finding these everywhere I go). There are a few places along the way to stop and take in the peace and quiet, and then you will find yourself on a bridge. It looks a bit like road markings, but there are no cars on this bridge…

Once you finish the walk (if you end in Como) there is a place called Pleasure Point, with grassy areas and a playground. The local pool is there, although it may only open in summer because there was no water in it when I went past. There is a little cafe down there with a pretty view…

When everyone (or just you) is tired, it’s a short walk up a hill (ok it’s a bit of a steep hill - just in case you are travelling with toddlers and don’t like carrying little people - sometimes tantruming, up hill) to Como Station. The train will run you directly back to the City or down to Cronulla.

The Cronulla Coast

Last, but not least is the Cronulla Coast. I live about five minutes from Cronulla. So I can’t post a blog about walks in Sydney without mentioning this place. It’s big, and has something for everyone. It is beautiful!

My tip for this walk is take bus number 971 to the Fisheries, at the end of Nicholson Parade. You will find Cowra Place just off Nicholson, walk down the street and find an access between some houses.

This leads you to Salmon Haul. The walk from this point will take you around 30 minutes to an hour. There are a couple of small playgrounds along the way and another one once you reach South Cronulla beach. It is perfect to do with the kids, you can stop and play in the rock pools along the way, or sit on more grass and admire the view. Ok, yes, I am a sucker for sitting on grass and looking at the ocean. The simple things!

Another day I’ll do a post on the Cronulla area. For now, enjoy!