12 of the Best Overnight Hikes Near Sydney 2026

You don’t have to drive far from Sydney to spend a weekend walking and camping in nature. We’ve rounded up the best overnight hikes within a few hours of Sydney, and they’re all damn special!

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

The Best Overnight Hikes Near Sydney

If you’re keen for an overnight hike near Sydney, you’re in for a more eye-opening treat than Augustus had in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. I’ve strolled these hikes, all within a three-hour radius of the city (and some are accessible by public transport with a bit of extra walking), and they’re my stand-out favourites thanks to their raw beauty, convenience, and seclusion.

Before you head out, make sure to check NSW National Parks website for any park closures or warnings that may be in place for your intended route.

1. Bundeena to Otford – The Coast Track

Location: Royal National Park
Distance: 26km one way
Duration: 1 or 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate

With magnificent white-cliff coastlines to hike along in the north and rugged, gym-free beaches to surf in the south (Garie Beach, North Era and South Era), the Royal National Park is something to behold.

Accessible by public transport (train to Cronulla, ferry to Bundeena, train back to Sydney via Otford), this gem of an overnight trek has sprawling rainforests, hidden waterfalls, rock pools and a beachside campsite for those looking to spread the 26km trek over two days.

It’s becoming increasingly popular, for good reason! It’s one of the best overnight hikes in NSW, and it’s basically in Sydney!

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@adrianmascenon

2. Blackheath to Acacia Flat

Location: Blue Mountains National Park
Distance: 21.7km one way
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate – Advanced

Leaving the quaint town of Blackheath, this overnight hike from Blackheath to Acacia Flat descends down the famous Grand Canyon (one of the best day walks near Sydney) before turning away from the crowds and heading deeper into the valley.

The quiet campground at Acacia Flat has some drop toilets, but that’s about it. It’ll just be you, the towering cliffs and the native Aussie bush – be ready for an early (golden) sunset!

Read more: 10 Best Sleeping Bags in Australia in 2024

The next day hikes out through the Blue Gum Forest, an extraordinary protected area that was nearly cleared for a walnut farm. And finally a tough hike out beneath the whispy wonder of Govetts Leap waterfall. This hike is an absolute classic slice of the Blue Mountains, NSW’s hiking mecca, and a fantastic introduction to overnight hiking. Put it on your list.

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@pearce_m

3. Bouddi Coastal Walk

Location: Bouddi Bouddi National Park
Distance: 17km return
Duration: 1 or 2 days
Difficulty: Beginner – Intermediate

The Bouddi Coastal Walk is an undulating 8km beachcombing trek which makes for a beaut out-and-back overnight hike. Luckily it’s so pretty that hiking back the way you came won’t be a stress.

Two campsites are nestled on golden beaches along the Bouddi Coastal Walk: Little Beach and Putty Beach, both of which will have your friends furiously tapping the hearts on your Instagram feed.

Shipwrecks, wildflowers, whale-watching, deserted beaches… sounds like paradise to me!

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@etchd

4. Federal Pass to Mount Solitary Via Ruined Castle

Location: Blue Mountains National Park
Distance: 30km return
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Advanced

*Please note: Federal Pass to Mount Solitary via Ruined Castle is currently closed due to landslides. But it won’t be closed forever! Keep an eye on the NSW National Park website for updates. 

Ever wanted to camp on top of a mountain? Mount Solitary’s your guy. Standing proud in the Jamison Valley, this massive, flat-topped mountain is within sight of Katoomba, but you’ll feel worlds away as you’re engulfed by birdsong, wind in the gums and your thumping pulse as you climb the Korowal Knife Edge ridgeline.

Don’t underestimate this Blue Mountains overnight hike. With over 1000m of climbing, no guaranteed water at the top and a full 30km of hiking if you start from Katoomba Station, you’re in for an epic few days. Hiking Federal Pass to Mount Soliatary is no walk in a Sydney park!

Luckily, the views from the massive sandstone cliffs are worth every step.

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@jonharris_photography

5. Wondabyne to Patonga Via Pindar Cave

Location: Brisbane Water National Park
Distance: 23km to Patonga
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate

First step, jump on a train north to Wondabyne, Australia’s only train station without road access. Have a swim at the end of the jetty to cool down, then hike up to the ridgeline, through wildflowers and scrubby heath, towards Pindar Cave.

You’ll cop views all the way to the ocean and down to Pittwater, but it’s fairly exposed so make sure you’ve got a good supply of H2O.

You can sleep in the epic Pindar Cave overhang (tent free if you’re not stressed about bugs) before hiking back to Wondabyne, or continue on to Patonga where you can get the ferry across to Palm Beach and the bus back to Sydney.

Pro tip: Have a beer while you wait for the ferry. You’ve earned it.

Kariong Brook Falls is a great place to cool off on the route to Patonga and you can camp out near Mt Wondabyne instead of the cave.

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@andylewis_photography

6. Tomaree Coastal Walk

Walked and written by Amy Fraser

Location: Port Stephens
Distance: 27km
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate

The Tomaree Coastal Walk strings together Port Stephens’ surreal coastline, offering access to off-the-beaten-path beaches, culturally significant landscapes, and 2,318 hectares of protected flora and fauna.

The trail itself snakes through native shrubs on rocky headlands, across deserted beaches home to resident dolphins (and in season, whales), and ends at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place and the Worimi Conservation Lands, home to NSW’s largest sand dunes.

The Tomaree Coastal Walk starts at Tomaree Headland on the east end of Shoal Bay in Port Stephens. From the car park, head along the Zenith Beach Track. Or you can do the optional Tomaree Head Summit Walk to start your hike with a bang (hot tip: go for sunrise).

Given this is a point-to-point multi-day hike, you’ll need to plan your pick up before you head off, and it’s worth keeping in mind that there are limited taxis and Ubers in the area. If you’re travelling with mates, a good option is leaving a car at either end of the hike.

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7. Canoelands Ridge Walking Track

Walked and written by Claire Osman

Location: Hawkesbury River
Distance: 22km
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate

If you’re looking for a hike with it all then the Canoelands Ridge Trail to Gentleman’s Halt Campground won’t disappoint! Enjoy panoramic views of the Hawkesbury River, a few heart-pumping canyoning sections, and a tranquil riverside campsite. Keep an eye out for the black cockatoos flying overhead. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the Aussie bush, particularly because there’s some effort required to get there so it’s never hugely busy.

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Photo by Claire Osman

8. Grand Cliff Top Walk

Walked and written by Tayla Holborow

Location: Blue Mountains National Park
Distance: 19km-22km
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate

Opened in March 2024, after nearly four years in the making, the $10 million Grand Cliff Top Walk links new and existing trails with a well-maintained track, consisting of sandstone steps, metal grates, concreted lookouts, and relatively smooth natural paths.

As the track teeters along the cliff edges, it rewards hikers with unobstructed views over the Jamison Valley and its iconic blue haze. It then winds down into dense fern-filled forests, which’ll have you questioning whether you’ve stumbled into Jurassic Park.

The track ends at Katoomba’s Scenic World, but not before bypassing the famous Three Sisters Aboriginal site.

This world-renowned beauty comes at a hefty price, which will surprise hikers who are expecting a relatively easy Grade 3 walk. There are over 4000 steps along the track with some pretty steep sections, and that number is only set to increase if you add on the optional side routes to see the waterfalls – and it’s a waste if you don’t!

So be prepared for a challenge, particularly if you’re doing it in a day!

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@tayholborow

9. Dubbo Gully Loop

Walked and written by Emma Griffiths

Location: Central Coast
Distance: 23.5km
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate

The Dubbo Gully Loop hike follows a chain of management trails through the Mangrove Mountain catchment area of the Central Coast in Dharug National Park.

The management trails link together and bypass some of the region’s forgotten early settler sites as well as provide access to spectacular spring blooms.

Being out of the way and quite remote, this route is usually quiet with only a few hikers or bikepackers along the trail at any given time.

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Photo by Emma Griffiths

10. Six Foot Track

Walked and written by Ayla Rowe

Location: Blue Mountains National Park
Distance: 44km
Duration: 2-3 days
Difficulty: Intermediate

The 44km historic Six Foot Track from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves follows an 1884 historic horse track through the Megalong Valley, winding its way through rainforest, heath, woodlands and heritage sites.

It can be done as a 2-3 day hike and camping trip (or in one day for trail running enthusiasts). I turned it into an inn-to-inn style adventure and completed it over 2 days! 

Stop by a couple of vineyards on day one, take a refreshing dip in the Coxs River, then stay in the rustic Six Foot Track Eco Lodge, where you can tuck into a tasty meal.

Finish your adventure at Jenolan Caves House where you take a cave tour and explore the incredible stalactite-lined limestone chasms.

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@ayladventures

11. Perrys Lookdown to Acacia Flat Campground

Walked and written by Helen Johnston

Location: Blue Mountains National Park
Distance: 6km
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate

Perrys Lookdown is a 2.5km very steep, grade ‘hard’ track in the Grose Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW. The hike takes walkers from Perrys Lookout down into the Blue Gum Forest. From here it’s a short 500 metre stroll to Acacia Flat Campground.

The Grose Valley – where Perrys Lookdown and Acacia Flat Campground are located – is the only officially declared ‘wilderness area’ in the Blue Mountains National Park. It offers well-prepared hikers the opportunity to truly get away from it all, even just for one night. It’s also the most direct access point to the Blue Gum Forest and Acacia Flat Campground as well as being a clear and well-maintained track.

But descending 656 metres in 2km can come at a price, and that price is jelly legs and wobbly knees. The upside? We enjoyed lunch in Blackheath, hit the trail, and were setting up camp by 4pm!

The highlight is undoubtedly Acacia Flat Campground: spacious, remote, gurgling creek, no crowds. And the Blue Gums – towering giants of the valley floor – sleek, strong, and ancient, stretching up into the heavens above.

@helenjohnston173

12. Corang Arch

Walked and written by Jon Harris

Location: Morton National Park
Distance: 28km
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced

Corang Arch appeals to those who love to get out into nature and experience solitude and the raw beauty of Morton National Park’s landscape.

The highlight of the hike is, of course, Corang Arch itself. This incredible natural formation is a massive sandstone bridge, towering over the surrounding forest. It’s the perfect spot to take a break and soak in the breathtaking views, and ponder just how long this archway has been standing for.

Fit and experienced hikers will be able to reach Corang Arch and return to the trailhead at Wog Wog Campground in a single day, but you’ll appreciate the area fully if you hike a little further past the arch and spend the night before returning to your car.

After you’ve admired the arch and had a rest, continue along the trail and down off the plateau, where you’ll find a couple of small campsites at the bottom of Canowie Brook. In my opinion, the best place to camp is a little further on over a small ridge near Burrumbeet Brook.

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@jonharris_photography

Tips for an Overnight Hike

This your first time? How To Tackle Your First Overnight Hike

• Pack plenty of water
• Bring a map (here’s why)
• A first aid kit is essential (and know how to use it!)
• Personal Locator Beacons are lifesavers where there isn’t reception, you can often rent them
• High energy snack bars are your best buddy
• Leave No Trace (don’t be a tosser, take all rubbish with you)
• Let friends know where you’re going, just in case the proverbial hits the fan

Read more: Packing List For An Overnight Hike

Overnight Hikes Near Sydney FAQs

How do you hike the Blue Mountains?

The best way to hike the Blue Mountains is to stay somewhere like Katoomba or Leura and use it as a base to explore shorter day walks and longer multi-day hikes. Visit NSW is a good place to start for some info on walking tracks and local info.

What walks Blue Mountains are open?

For the most up-to-date information on what walks are open in the area, check out the National Parks website.

Do you have to pay to walk around Blue Mountains?

No! There are no fees or charge for entrance to the Blue mountains National Park.

Is hiking an activity that lasts overnight?

When going on an overnight hike you will generally walk from the morning till the afternoon, then set up camp and spend the night in one place.

How much does it cost to take an overnight hike?

It really depends. It depends on how much gear you already have. Do you have a tent, sleeping bag, stove? etc. As a general rule gear designed for colder weather is more expensive. Check out this packing list for details on what you’ll need.

Want more adventures near Sydney?

• The 6 Best Mountain Bike Trails in Sydney 2024
• Best Walks in Sydney
• Child Friendly Hikes Near Sydney
• Best Picnic Spots in Sydney
• Lookouts Near Sydney
• Best Camping Spots Near Sydney

Feature photo by @pearce_m