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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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8 ways to discover a new side of Port Stephens

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

    You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

    All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

    1. Stockton Sand Dunes

    Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

    Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

    Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape.
    Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

    2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

    A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

    History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

    Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens.
    Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

    3. Watch out for whales

    You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

    And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

    A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface.
    Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

    4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

    Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary  to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

    Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

    Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile
    See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

    5. Diving Port Stephens

    Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

    Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

    At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

    A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure.
    Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

    6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

    Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

    Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

    Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay.
    Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

    7. Fish the estuaries

    Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

    If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

    three men fishing on a boat in port stephens
    Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

    8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

    With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

    Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

    Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

    A plate of fresh oysters.
    Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .