The best city walks in Sydney

Ask anyone around the world about Australia and they’ll tell you about The Harbour Bridge, The Opera House and Bondi Beach (ask a child and they’ll tell you about 42 Wallaby Way). This says one thing very clearly, Sydney is hands down Australia’s most iconic city. Blessed with dramatic landscapes, gorgeous beaches and bucket-list worthy landmarks, Sydney is a city to remember!

Hyde Park - Opera House

While there are many exceptional city walks around Sydney, this one has a very strong argument to take the cake. This walk starts in Hyde Park, Australia’s oldest public parkland, right in the middle of Sydney CBD. While in Hyde Park, we’d recommend getting distracted and including the Art Gallery, the War Memorial and Archibald Fountain along your route.

From here you’ll head over to the Sydney Botanical Gardens. These Botanical Gardens are some of the best in Australia and absolutely explode with colour year round! Go for a saunter around the gardens before hitting the shore of the Sydney Harbour. 

The whole walk is something very special, but this is our favourite bit. While hugging the harbour on the way round to Circular Quay you’re going to have 2 iconic Australian Landmarks in your eyeline, WITHOUT HAVING TO TURN YOUR HEAD!

After you’ve arrived at Circular Quay, treat yourself to a drink from one of the extraordinary bars and restaurants in that area. 

Opera House - Wulugul Walk 

This is a relatively new addition to this list as it only opened in May of 2021. To keep it extra simple for you, this walk is simply an addition to the last walk! 

Continue walking past Circular Quay and under the Harbour Bridge towards Darling Harbour. This walk snakes on the harbourside the whole way down to ANZAC Bridge. While on this walk you’ll pass the brand new Barangaroo Reserve. This reclaimed industrial site is now Sydney’s newest parklands, and you can be one of the first to enjoy it.

Bondi to Coogee

On this walk we’re moving away from iconic Sydney landmarks and moving towards Sydney’s arguably more iconic beaches! You’ll start at the world's most famous beach, Bondi (sorry Waikiki, Positano, Santa Monica & Copacabana, but it’s true). 

After getting your fix of sun & sand at Bondi head up to the cliffs. This walk features dramatic landscapes for the entire 6km duration. There are some steep parts and a few steps, but it’s well worth it. For a shorter option you can stop at Bronte, or if you can’t get enough head all the way down to Maroubra. 

Manly

We’ve based the majority of this article on walks in Sydney proper. However, take the ferry over to gorgeous Manly and you’ve got yourself a whole new world of citywalks! Head over to the beach after you get off the ferry and follow your nose. You’ll find epic walks in every direction. However, some of our favourites are Castle Rock to Grotto Point Lighthouse & Manly to Shelly Beach. 

Bonus tip: If you can, time your adventure over in Manly so that you take the ferry back to Sydney CBD at dusk. If you get it right, you can watch the sunset over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on your way back. It’s something truly special and something that will leave its mark on you for a long time to come. 

Vitasole has everything you need to get lost strolling in beautiful Sydney. From the Walkers to get you round the cityscape to gorgeous flip flops and sandals for when you hit the beach.