Hike at a Glance

Australia > New South Wales > Sydney Harbour National Park

Quick overview: Experience a captivating 16.5km urban foreshore hike starting from the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. This Grade 3 (Moderate) trail meanders through historic harbour fortifications, exclusive streets, and beautiful bushland, offering a glance into the city's rich past. Highlights include Taronga Zoo, Sydney Harbour National Park, and the stunning Balmoral Beach. Don't forget to stop at Athol Hall for a bite, and end your journey witnessing the fascinating Spit Bridge opening. Ideal for short and long hikes with convenient parking and public transport options.

Length:

16.5km

Duration:

5.5 hrs

Grade:

Style:

One Way

Max elevation: 0m

Min elevation: 0m

Total Ascent: 0m

Start: Spit Road

End: Spit Road

Sydney Harbour National Park

New South Wales

Nearby town: Seaforth

From state capital: 10.4km

Latitude: -33.80261858

Longitude: 151.2462959

10 Reviews

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Hike overview

This stunning urban foreshore walk begins at the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Start at the bridge's southern end in The Rocks or its northern end at Milsons Point, and then follow its signage around the harbour's northern shores.
On this superbly scenic route, you'll tread the paths of history as you pass harbour fortifications and Federation homes. You'll walk some of the city's most interesting and exclusive streets and find yourself ensconced in beautiful bushland and rainforest remnants.

Hike east past Taronga Zoo and into Sydney Harbour National Park, home of the incredible Bradleys, Chowder and Middle Heads. Be sure to stop at Athol Hall for a cuppa and a bite to eat, before continuing on to the exquisite Balmoral Beach for a swim. Then press on until you reach The Spit Bridge; you may even get there in time to see it open and rise to allow boats through.

It's easy to break this walk up into shorter sections by parking partway along the route, catching the bus or the ferry at Mosman or Taronga Zoo wharves.

Track grade

Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.

Practical information

You might like to pack swimmers and a towel as there are opportunities to swim along the way
Take care as this walk includes a variety of terrain and pathway conditions
This track is part of Sydney's walking track network. For more information visit the Walking Coastal Sydney website

Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.

The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.

Walk map and GPX file
Harbour Bridge to the Spit Bridge Walking Track (16.5km)

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Explore safely

Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Planning checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Sydney Harbour National Park.

To Spit Bridge. This walk begins at the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can:Start at the Harbour Bridge’s southern stairs, located near Gloucester Street and Cumberland Street in The Rocks, or,Start at the Harbour Bridge’s northern stairs, located at Burton Street, Milsons Point Park entry points Spit Bridge See on map Parking Parking is available in multiple places along the walk. When completing the walk in full, park your car at The Rocks or in Milsons Point where the walk begins, or at The Spit, Mosman, where it ends. Please note that this is paid parking. The Rocks and Milsons Point can be busy places, so parking might be limited.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find Accommodation

Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Balmain, Balmoral, Chatswood, Cremorne, Darling Harbour, Darling Point, Darlinghurst, Dee Why, Frenchs Forest, Glebe, Kirribilli, Manly, Mosman, Neutral Bay, North Sydney, Pyrmont, Rose Bay, Rozelle, Sydney, Terrey Hills, Vaucluse, Watsons Bay, Woolloomooloo

About the region

Sydney Harbour National Park protects islands and foreshore around Sydney Harbour. Explore Sydney's history on a school excursion or guided tour to enjoy coastal walks, picnics and swimming. Sydney Harbour National Park protects a number of islands and foreshore areas around one of the world's most famous harbours. The park is home to superb swimming spots, bushwalking tracks and picnic areas, which offer a huge range of activities that will have you coming back again and again.

See native wildlife living in rare pockets of bushland once common around Sydney, or take a fascinating walk to explore the park's cultural history. You'll see everything from convict-built buildings and military fortifications to Aboriginal sites and a heritage lighthouse. And with the harbour's staggering coastline creating an endless natural lookout, the park's jaw-dropping views simply have to be seen to be believed. If you're at one of the park's lookouts during winter, be sure to keep a lookout for whales on their annual migration north.

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Trail statusThis trail is OPEN.This trail is permanently CLOSED.Please only report permanent closures and provide evidence in the edit box below.

Trail Features (select all that apply)Aboriginal ArtAlpine HutsAlpine RegionBeach & CoastalBicycle TrailConcrete PathDog FriendlyDrinking WaterExposed LedgesFishing SpotsGoldfields & MiningGorgesGravel PathHeritageHorse RidingLakesLighthouseManual WheelchairMotorised WheelchairMountain Bike TrailOff TrailOvernight CampsitesPrams & StrollersRail TrailRainforestRiver CrossingsRiversRock ScramblingRough TrailSandy TrailScenic ViewpointsSteep TerrainSwimming SpotsTimber BoardwalkTrail RunningUndefined TrailUntreated WaterUrbanWaterfallsWell Marked Trail

Access Conditions (select all that apply)2WD Access4WD AccessAccessible ParkingAccessible ToiletBBQ FacilitiesBitumen RoadCampfire PitCamping AreaDrinking WaterEntry FeeGravel RoadLarge Car ParkPicnic ShelterPicnic TablePublic ToiletsPublic TransportSmall Car ParkSpeed BumpsSteep RoadUntreated WaterVehicle FordWinding Road

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Reviews
Harbour Bridge to the Spit Bridge Walking Track (16.5km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

Harbour bridge to the spit bridge walking track (16. 5km) trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Track grade

Practical information

Walk map and GPX file
Harbour Bridge to the Spit Bridge Walking Track (16.5km)

Harbour Bridge to the Spit Bridge Walking Track (16.5km)

Explore safely

Leave a trip plan

Planning checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

About the region

Similar walks nearby

Manly Scenic Walkway Hike (10km)

Spit Bridge to North Harbour Reserve Hike (8.7km)

Spit Bridge to Manly Scenic Walkway Hike (9.1km)

Castle Rock to Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk (2km)

Gallery

Suggest an edit

Reviews
Harbour Bridge to the Spit Bridge Walking Track (16.5km)

Harbour Bridge to the Spit Bridge Walking Track (16.5km)

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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