7 Prettiest Bay Walks in Sydney

Last updated: February 7, 2024

With a long and diverse coastline and a beautiful Harbour right in the city’s backyard, Sydney has no shortage of picturesque bays and secluded beaches.

One of the best ways to explore all that natural beauty is by doing some of the many walking trails in Sydney Harbour and beyond.

We have listed seven of the prettiest bay walks in Sydney where you can enjoy the best views while also enjoying a great workout.

1. Glebe Foreshore Walk

Blackwattle Bay Park in Glebe
Blackwattle Bay Park in Glebe

The 2 km walking trail along the foreshore of Glebe is a pleasant walk with lovely views of Rozelle Bay, Blackwattle Bay, the Anzac Bridge, and the city skyline.

There are several parks and reserves nearby where visitors can relax and take in the peaceful vibe and scenic views of this beautiful part of Sydney.

And with various on and off-leash sections in the parks nearby, the Glebe Foreshore Walk is one of Sydney’s most popular dog-friendly walks.

More information: Glebe Foreshore Walk.

Walk stats:
Distance: 4 km (return)
Duration: 1.5 hours
Grade: Easy

2. Lavender Bay and Milsons Point Circuit Walk

Lavender Bay Parklands
Lavender Bay Parklands

The 2.5 km circuit walking trail exploring Lavender Bay and Milsons Point offers stunning views of Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, and Sydney’s skyline.

One major highlight is the Broughton St Lookout, one of the most beautiful lookout points in Sydney, with panoramic views of Circular Quay and its famous landmarks.

Another highlight is Wendy’s Secret Garden, a green oasis of native plants and beautiful flowers, situated against the backdrop of Lavender Bay and the Harbour Bridge.

More information: Lavender Bay and Milsons Point Circuit Walk.

Walk stats:
Distance: 2.5 km (circuit)
Duration: 1 hour
Grade: Easy

3. Cremorne Point Circuit Walk

Sydney Harbour views from Cremorne Point
Sydney Harbour views from Cremorne Point

The circuit walk around the Cremorne Point peninsula is an easy 3 km foreshore trail with beautiful views of Mosman Bay, Sydney Harbour, and the city skyline.

Located 6 km from the Sydney CBD, Cremorne Point is a quiet harbourside suburb on the lower north shore. The walk starts and ends at the Cremorne Point ferry wharf, with an optional detour to the Robertsons Point Lookout.

There are various highlights to explore, such as the Robertsons Point Lighthouse, Cremorne Reserve, the MacCallum swimming pool, grand mansions, and picturesque gardens.

More information: Cremorne Point Circuit Walk.

Walk stats:
Distance: 3 km (circuit)
Duration: 1 hour
Grade: Easy

4. Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk

Clifton Gardens Reserve at Chowder Bay
Clifton Gardens Reserve at Chowder Bay

The walking track from Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay is a picturesque bay walk on Sydney’s lower north shore, boasting panoramic views of Sydney Harbour.

This walk is a smaller section of the walking track between Taronga Zoo and Balmoral Beach, one of Sydney’s finest coastal and bush walking tracks.

To get there, catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo and follow the short walking trail to Bradleys Head.

From Bradleys Head, the walk continues along the shoreline along Taylors Bay and Clifton Gardens to Chowder Bay, where you can choose one of the local cafes for lunch.

More information: Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk.

Walk stats:
Distance: 2.7 km (one way)
Duration: 1 hour
Grade: Easy

5. Rushcutters Bay to Rose Bay Walk

Rushcutters Bay Park
Rushcutters Bay Park

Not as well-known as the walk from Rose Bay to Watsons Bay, the trail between Rushcutters Bay and Rose Bay is, in our opinion, a gem of a walk.

It’s a walk that showcases the best of the Harbour, with scenic parks, quiet suburban streets, lovely views, and historic grand mansions.

The walk starts at beautiful Rushcutters Bay Park, and continues to explore the suburbs of Darling Point, Double Bay, and Point Piper, before finishing at the Rose Bay ferry wharf.

The city and water views from start to finish are stunning, with lots of cafes and restaurants along the way to refuel with lunch or coffee.

More information: Rushcutters Bay to Rose Bay Walk.

Walk stats:
Distance: 5.5 km (one way)
Duration: 3 hours (including stops)
Grade: Easy

6. Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Walk

Hermit Bay
Hermit Bay

The 8 km walk from Rose Bay to Watsons Bay is one of the most scenic walks in Sydney Harbour National Park.

The walking trail passes several secluded beaches and picturesque bays, such as beautiful Hermit Bay, while offering the best panoramic views of the city and the Harbour.

Conveniently, you can park your car at Rose Bay or Watsons Bay and then catch a ferry back to where you started. You can also leave the car at home, catch a train to Circular Quay, and travel to Rose Bay by ferry.

The popular Hermitage Foreshore Track is a smaller section of the trail between Rose Bay and Watsons Bay, and is often considered the best part of the walk.

More information: Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Walk.

Walk stats:
Distance: 8 km (one way)
Duration: 3.5 hours
Grade: Easy / moderate

7. The Bay Run

The Bay Run in Sydney's inner west
The Bay Run in Sydney’s inner west

The Bay Run in Sydney’s inner west is a classic Sydney bay walk, looping around Iron Cove and passing through no less than seven different suburbs.

It might not be the most scenic walk in Sydney, but it’s a very popular trail among walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists, and parents with prams.

Since this is a circular walk, you can start and finish the Bay Run at various locations, and you can either go clockwise or anti-clockwise.

Some of the highlights and landmarks along this walk are King George Park, Leichhardt Park, the Iron Cove Creek pedestrian bridge, Rodd Park, the Henley Marine Drive foreshore, and the Iron Cove Bridge.

More information: The Bay Run.

Walk stats:
Distance: 7 km (circuit)
Duration: 1.5 hours
Grade: Easy
 
 

7 Best bay walks in Sydney

 

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