This is one of the most popular walking trails on the Northern Beaches and for a good reason. The iconic lighthouse track is located in Palm Beach and rewards walkers with some of the most spectacular views the coastline has to offer. Starting at the Boathouse Palm Beach, don your most comfortable walking shoes and get ready to climb 1.5 kilometres up to the historic lighthouse on either the Smugglers Track or Access Path.

Considered one of the best walks in the Northern Beaches thanks to its beautiful beach views and gentle terrain, the Queenscliff to Shelly Beach walk may be a short relaxing stroll, but the views are spectacular, and the Eco-Sculpture Walk is a nod to the Cabbage Tree Bay’s unique marine life. Starting at Queenscliff Beach, make your way along the beachside promenade past Manly Beach and Manly Surf Club and onto Shelly Beach at Cabbage Tree Bay.

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve done it, the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk never gets old. The path passes Bondi Icebergs and a bunch of beaches, lookouts, rockpools and parks before finishing up at Coogee Beach. The views are spectacular, and while the path is mostly paved, there are a few sets of stairs, so expect to get a little sweaty. While the full Bondi to Coogee track is 6km, the shorter version covering Bondi to Bronte (2.5km) is just as good.

Embark on the scenic Blue Gum Walk Loop, a 4.2-km trail in Berowra National Valley. Moderately challenging and preferred by wildlife enthusiasts and hikers alike, it offers stunning natural scenery. It is ideal for exploration between May and October; just don’t bring your pooch, as it’s strictly no dogs. Encounter fellow adventurers and diverse wildlife on this picturesque journey through nature.

Take a day trip to Sydney’s south for one of the most popular Royal National Park walks the Karloo Track. This track starts next to Heathcote Train Station and leads down to the Karloo Pools – a natural swimming hole ranked as one of Sydney’s finest. The walk has a steep rocky descent, so at times it is a little hard going, but it’s well worth the effort when you dive into the swimming hole – just save enough energy for the trek back up.

An easy walk that makes you feel worlds away from it all is The Forest Path, which takes hikers through lush rainforest. The walk runs along the Hacking River and loops around the green lower gullies of Forest Island, starting and finishing at Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Pack a picnic for hiking with kids to sit by Bola Creek or at the Upper Causeway Picnic Area.

Forming part of The Coast Track, many opt to just walk the section from Bundeena to the iconic Wedding Cake Rock – a pure white rock formation that stands out against the coastal cliffs’ sandstone. What gives it its name is the sharp edges and deep cracks perched high above the ocean. It’s a perfect vantage point for whale watching, and the views up and down the coastline are spectacular. Feeling energetic? Head a little further south to Marley Beach.

This relatively easy circuit walk will deliver some of the best coastal views in Sydney, with rugged native bushland and dramatic sandstone cliffs aplenty. There are ample spots to stop for a picnic with a view, as well as whale-watching opportunities during winter. Begin the trail at the car park located behind Maroubra Beach before heading to Malabar Beach, Boora Point, and back to Maroubra.

Embark on a family-friendly hike along the picturesque Cape Banks Walking Track in Botany Bay National Park. This scenic coastal walk is perfect for all ages, with an easy-to-follow trail that is mostly flat, ideal for leisurely exploration. Take a refreshing dip at Congwong Beach and keep an eye out for Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos, a common sight along the route.