Sydney Biking | Hiking | Walking

While you are in Sydney, why spend your money unnecessarily on other much more expensive modes of transportation, when you can go wherever you want on a bicycle! Actually, cycling is a fantastic way to travel if you want to get to know the city and have some fun at the sometime.

In Sydney there is an abundance of dedicated bike paths that are free of traffic and pass through parks, along beaches and rivers, and via breathtaking lookouts. For those of you without your own set of wheels, you can hire a bike at the Sydney Olympic Park   

All bike rides start at a convenient distance from train stations. You don’t have to pay extra when taking your bike on City Rail trains during off-peak times and on weekends. You can also take your bike for free at all times on the ferry and on wheelchair-accessible buses at the driver’s discretion. 

You can easily identify bike routes since these are always marked with a signpost. However, if you are not yet sure, handy books such as Bike Rides around Sydney provide detailed directions and maps. Maps also are available online in the RTA website www.rta.nsw.gov.au .  You can also find maps covering Newcastle, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains in the RTA website. Another excellent riders’ resource is www.bikely.com which is a searchable database of cycling routes.

Sydney Hiking/Walking

Hiking/Walking: Manly Scenic Walkway

This is a 10KM walkway where you can have different scenic views of the Sydney Harbour. The trail begins at Manly Wharf. You can get a detailed map of the walk from the tourist information centre.

On this trail you will be passing through native bush land and you can see Aboriginal engravings. You also will get to see an Echidna close to the end of the walkway at Spit Bridge. You will need walking shoes and remember to take some water and food with you.

Hiking/Walking: Between Bondi and Coogee

There is a nice paved walkway between Bondi and Coogee along the coastline. When on this trail you get to see spectacular ocean views. The walk originates at the South end of Bondi and takes you through the suburbs of Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly Bay. It takes about 2, 5 hrs if you walk slowly. You will need walking shoes.

Hiking / Walking: Harbour Bridge – Pylon Lookout

From the Pylon Lookout you can get a great view of Sydney’s world famous landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera house. Also from up here you can have an amazing view of the Sydney Skyline. Besides getting to see great views of Sydney, inside the lookout there is a fascinating display of how this bridge was built. You can enter the Pylon from the pedestrian walkway from The Rocks.

Hiking / Walking: The Rocks

This is a delightful walkway where you will encounter a maze of narrow streets, laneways and interconnected sandstone cottages and terraces filled with shops, stalls, cafes and restaurants. The real thrill of it all is simply walking around the streets and soaking up the atmosphere. This path will take you pass Coroners Court, Mercantile Hotel, Oriental Hotel, Sailor’s home as well as so many other interesting places.

Hiking / Walking: Blue Mountains

There are some great walking trails around the Blue Mountains with different levels of difficulty. Walking down all of these is a seriously invigorating experience for those who dare to take the challenge.  If you are one of them remember to wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes because at some sections it is no cakewalk.