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The top-rated walking trails within one hour of Sydney

Credit: Nikki To

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
Lace up your hiking boots and head to the coast.

Sydney is in its fitness era. From run clubs to pilates studios, the harbour city has stepped up its wellness game. According to AllTrails, long-distance hikes saw the strongest growth within hiking in 2025 — further proof that Sydney’s love for getting outside and staying active is stronger than ever.

Sydney boasts an incredible range of walks from incredible coastal hikes to challenging peaks in national parks. But sometimes you want to explore further afield and make a day of it. For that reason, we’re sharing AllTrails top-rated day trip trails within one hour of Sydney – so you can feel like you’ve escaped, without travelling too far. 

Wattamolla to Garie Beach

People enjoying swimming at Wattamolla, Royal National Park Sydney.
Wattamolla is a popular swimming destination. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Difficulty: Hard

Distance: 15.8km return (approx 5-5.5 hours)

Located in the picturesque Sydney’s Royal National Park, about 50 kilometres south of the city CBD, the Wattamolla to Garie Beach walk delivers some of the most striking coastal views in NSW. Stretching nearly 16 kilometres of the Coast Track, the trail starts at Wattamolla, a popular spot with a lagoon, beach and picnic area. The trail guides hikers along wind-swept coastlines, to hidden coves and the pristine surfers’ beach, Garie Beach. The terrain is varied metal boardwalk, paved path, rocky outcrops and soft sand), so ensure you wear sturdy walking shoes.

Curracurrang Falls

A waterfall near Curracurrang Gully
Take a refreshing dip in the natural swimmable pool.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 4.3 kilometres (Approx 1-1.5 hours)

If more laid-back hiking is your vibe, turn your attention to the lovely Curracurrang Falls trail. Also located in Sydney’s Royal National Park, this trail takes hikers on a journey from the dramatic coastline to the lush Curracurrang Gully. A quick 200-metre detour from the Curracurrang Gully reveals a delicate waterfall and natural swimmable pool amid palm forest.

Tip: Plan your hike around recent rainfall for optimal waterfall viewing.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Bouddi Coastal Walk: Little Beach to Putty Beach

Bouddi Coastal Walk, Central Coast
The boardwalk leads to a postcard-perfect stretch of sand. (Credit: Nikki To)

Difficulty:  Moderate

Distance: 8 kilometres (Approx 2.5-3 hours)

If we were to choose our ideal hiking time, it would be around the 2.5-3 hour mark, exactly the length of the Little Beach to Putty Beach walk. This Bouddi National Park trail is located on the Central Coast, offering consistent sparkling views of the Tasman Sea and lush bushland. Starting at the secluded Little Beach and finishing at Putty Beach, the walk’s elevated locations, such as Gerrin Point and Marie Byles Lookouts, offer fantastic views for spotting northward-migrating humpbacks (May-October). 

Note: The terrain includes a mix of steep stairs, inclines and potential mud. 

Tessellated Pavement from Putty Beach Camping Area

A boardwalk overlooking ocean vistas in Bouddi National Park
The Tessellated Pavement from Putty Beach Camping Area is a short but spectacular walk.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.1 kilometres (0.5-1 hour)

It may be short, but this Bouddi National Park trail rewards walkers big time with ancient rock formations and spectacular ocean vistas. Kicking off at the Putty Beach campground, walkers are guided across sand before traversing a timber boardwalk that guides them through coastal heath and along rugged cliffs with waves crashing below. 

The highlight of this walk is the mosaic-like rock shelves that have formed from erosion. Don’t forget to pack your swimmers for a post-walk dip at Putt Beach. 

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Palm Jungle Loop Track

Difficulty: Hard

Distance: 10.9 kilometres (0.5-1 hour)

Adventure enthusiasts looking to get their heart rate up will love the Palm Jungle Loop Track. This difficult hike sits along the southern end of Sydney’s Royal National Park, beginning and ending at Garrawarra Farm Carpark. Meander through rainforest, trace rugged cliff tops and cross secluded beaches across 11 kilometres.

This track also offers access to the popular Figure 8 Pools. The rock platform and rock pools can be dangerous and are only accessible depending on the tide and waves, so exercise with a degree of caution.

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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The secret Sydney suite life: a luxury under-the-radar stay right on the harbour

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

    Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

    All-inclusive VIP benefits

    Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

    Pier One Sydney Harbour

    Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)

    The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

    If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

    Pier One Suites

    Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite
    Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

    Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

    United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

    But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

    Dining at Pier One

    Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

    Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

    PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

    Around town

    luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge
    Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

    You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

    Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

    Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.com.au