Secret Sydney walks
Sydney's wildest walks are on roads less travelled, reports David Hayes
Just one of the treasures of the Royal National Park
Bushwalking is a great opportunity to stay healthy while uncovering the history, wildlife and geography of our region. We hate to sound like your Mum but you should always take a map, sun protection, warm clothes, plenty of food and water and a mobile phone when you go walking. And tell your plans to someone who cares – like Mum. Yours, not ours.
Golden Stairs to the Ruined Castle, Blue Mountains National Park
Like an ancient sentinel guarding over the Jamison Valley, the Ruined Castle offers one of the finest views in the world-heritage listed Blue Mountains – if you can make it to the top. This medium difficulty walk involves a plunge to the valley floor and a steep climb up to the skyward-soaring summit of the Ruined Castle. Drive your car or take a taxi (about $20 from Katoomba station) to the Golden Stairs on Narrowneck Plateau Road in Katoomba.
Blue Mountains National Park (02 4787 8877 www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au)
Track Notes (ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk)
Bundeena to Little Marley, Royal National Park
The towering sandstone crags of the Royal National Park offers magnificent views of the ocean. Hop on a ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena and head south on the Coastal Track. Little Marley Beach, a gorgeous, sheltered bay, is the perfect spot for a picnic and a swim. It’s an easy two and a half hour walk (about 6km one way) from Bundeena.
Cronulla to Bundeena Ferry (02 9523 2990 www.cronullaferries.com.au) One way: Adult $5.40, conc/child $2.70, family $14.50. Royal National Park (02 9542 0648 www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au)
Sydney Harbour Circle Walk, Sydney Harbour foreshore
If you’re after a safe and accessible amble, the Sydney Harbour Circle Walk is for you. This 26km walk hugs the foreshore and offers top notch views of the harbour. The Circle Walk can be done in eight to ten hours by fitness guns, or why not tackle a smaller section? The northern part (Harbour Bridge to Hunters Hill) is 12km and takes about five hours while the 14km southern section is slightly easier. The NSW Department of Planning has an excellent website with all the details to plan your trip.
Track Notes (02 9228 6256 www.planning.nsw.gov.au/harbour/walking.asp)
Finchs Walk Convict Trail, Wisemans Ferry
Constructed in 1828, this 9km four hour walk follows the original route north from the Hawkesbury River. Back in the day convicts who had committed a second offence were sent to build roads in remote areas, such as Wisemans. The track emerges on the escarpment providing stunning views over Wisemans Ferry on the Hawkesbury River. On a clear day you can even spot the Blue Mountains. You can download a detailed sketch map of the area from the Convict Trail, a website run by historians who are passionate about the area.
Track Notes (www.convicttrail.org/tours) Park Information (02 4320 4280 www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au)
Manly Dam, Manly
Built in 1892 by damming Curl Curl Creek, Manly Dam supplied the village of Manly with drinking water during the early 20th century. Today, it’s a recreational reserve popular with kayakers, water skiers, mountain bikers and bushwalkers. It’s a haven for rare plant and animal species including the long-nosed bandicoot and short-beaked echidna. A well-maintained 7.3km circuit track will take you around the dam, passing waterfalls and creeks on the way. An excellent map can be downloaded from the Warringah Council website.
Manly Dam King St, Manly Vale 2093 (02 9949 3235 www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/community/manly_dam.aspx) Gates open at 7am.