The Cahill Walk is a little-known pedestrian path along the Cahill Expressway above Circular Quay train station. It offers beautiful views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.
This short walk connects with the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk, which leads visitors to Milsons Point on the other side of the bridge.
| Cahill Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 300 metres (one way) |
| Duration: | 20 minutes |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Wheel-friendly: | Yes (lift access at Circular Quay) |
Getting There
The Cahill Expressway Lookout is one of Sydney’s best lookouts, offering stunning Harbour views. Surprisingly, though, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem.
Combined with the Harbour Bridge Walk, the Cahill Walk makes for a great few hours spent exploring Sydney’s iconic landmarks.
There are three entry points to the Cahill Walk (see map below):
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Royal Botanic Garden:
The first entry point is located in the northwestern section of the Royal Botanic Garden along Macquarie Street. -
Lift at Circular Quay:
The second entry point is a wheel-friendly lift in the eastern section of Circular Quay. This is the best entry point for wheelchair access to the Cahill Expressway Lookout. -
Bridge Stairs in The Rocks:
The third entry point is at the Bridge Stairs in The Rocks, which is also the starting point of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk heading in the opposite direction.
Cahill Walk
The following notes describe the Cahill Walk starting from the entry point in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Sandstone Sculpture
The official starting point of the walkway is located next to an interesting sculpture at Macquarie Street in the northwestern section of the Royal Botanic Garden.
It’s an eye-catching sculpture named Memory is Creation Without End, and consists of several sandstone blocks embedded into the earth of the Tarpeian Way, adjacent to Macquarie Street.
They are relics from demolished buildings and structures like the old Pyrmont Bridge. Each sandstone block, carved by stone masons long ago and now darkened with age, testifies to their lost function and the loss of those old buildings in the collective memory.
You can find the path to the Cahill Walk right next to the sculpture. Follow that path, crossing Macquarie Street, and connecting with the Cahill Expressway.
You can also access the Cahill Walk directly from Circular Quay. The lift that brings you up there is located behind the cafe at the eastern end of the wharves.
This is a convenient shortcut that is also wheel-friendly.
Cahill Expressway Lookout
Also referred to as the Cahill Bridge Walk Lookout, the Cahill Expressway Lookout is a truly unique viewing point in Sydney.
From above the train station, you can enjoy spectacular views of Circular Quay and Sydney’s famous landmarks, like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Halfway through the walk, you’ll see a purpose-built viewing platform with several information boards and benches to relax and enjoy the views.
Did you know that the Cahill Expressway is also a vantage point for the famous Sydney NYE fireworks? But you need a bit of luck to get a ticket to this premium spot.
Each year, in September, the NSW Government organises a public ballot for residents of New South Wales to secure free tickets.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk
From the lookout, the walkway continues around the corner, past The Rocks and heading towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Bridge Stairs, a beautiful Art Deco building, is where the Cahill Walk and the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk link up.
If you do have the time, we recommend continuing on the bridge to Milsons Point, as the views from the bridge are fantastic.
We also recommend combining the walk across the Harbour Bridge with a visit to the Pylon Lookout, a fun museum with a lookout platform located in the pylon on the southeastern side of the bridge.
