Save on Petrol & Catch Public Transport to These 12 Walks Near Sydney

With the city hemmed in on all sides by national parks, there are a bunch of epic hikes near Sydney that you can reach by train. Who said you need a tank full of petrol to find adventure? Not us!

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

If you only use public transport to get to work, getting out of the city and into the bush might not seem that easy. Shots taken at stunning cliff top coffee spots and of amazing sunrises can seem a little out of reach without your own wheels. But if you want to save on cash, carbon emissions, and hassle, there are some amazing walks just a train (or bus) ride from Sydney.

And it’s cheap too! From Sydney a three-hour trip to the Blue Mountains will only cost a bit more than your daily coffee.

So with an abundance of cheap and reliable public transport options, and some breathtaking scenery to explore, where should you head? Here are 12 trails near Sydney to get you started, all accessible by Sydney trains.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Best Hikes Near Sydney Accessible by Train

1. Blackheath to Hanging Rock

Nearest train station: Blackheath
Train line: Blue Mountains Line
Walk distance: 14km
Walk duration: 3 hours

The train ride from Sydney to Blackheath is around three hours. Just on the edge of being too far for a single day hike, but the view from Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock make it very worthwhile.

From Blackheath there’s some road to cover before entering the trail, about 600m to the Ridgewell Road turnoff where the hike begins. The walk is straight forward and easy to follow. Despite becoming a bit samey after a few kilometres, the view at the end is definitely worth it. Pack a camera and food and take your time at the lookout.

Want to stay longer? Head out on an overnight hike from Blackheath to Acacia Flat to get the most bang for your cheap transport bucks.

2. Glenbrook Gorge Walking Track

Nearest train station: Glenbrook
Train line: Western Line
Walk distance: 5km
Walk duration: 2 hours

Glenbrook is one of the lesser-known locations in the foothills of the Blue Mountains National Park, but it’s no less dramatic. In one direction, towering cliffs line a narrow gorge full of huge boulders while in the other, glistening plunge pools offer an escape from the summer heat.

Glenbrook Gorge is perfect for getting a Blue Mountains feel, without having to go all the way to Wentworth Falls and beyond. The train trip takes around 75 minutes from Sydney, and the walk starts in a small village that has some great cafes and including Cafe 2773.

Read more: What to Pack in Your Hiking First Aid Kit

3. Mount Ku-ring-gai track to Berowra Station

Nearest train station: Mount Ku-ring-gai
Train line: Northern Line
Walk distance: 10km
Walk duration: 4 hours

The Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is located on the northern side of Sydney Harbour and stretches all the way up to the Hawkesbury River estuary. Countless trails criss-cross the forests and valleys. The Mount Ku-ring-gai track to Berowra Stationis drops from the station down to Cowan Creek and follows it north. Keep an eye out for kingfishers and White-bellied sea eagles.

Trains up to Mount Ku-ring-Gai run regularly from Sydney. Depending on the kind of walk you want to do, there are a number of variations as the train line follows the western side of the national park and has several stations that can be used as start and end points.

4. Spit Bridge to Manly

Nearest train station: Actually a bus to the Spit Bridge
Walk distance: 10km
Walk duration: 3 hours

Ok… technically the start of this amazing walk isn’t reached by train and the end might involve a ferry but it’s worth including! In fact, the Spit Bridge to Manly walk is regularly referred to as the best walk in Sydney. You’ll need to get a bus to the Spit Bridge, but just like the trains, it’ll only set you back a few dollars.

While this might not be the most wild or remote walk, it’s a must-do for people visiting or looking to show off the city to visitors.

The track follows the northern shore of Sydney Harbour taking in beautiful beaches and breathtaking views across the bay. If the weather’s good, be sure to take your swimmers and a towel. Once you reach Manly you can look forward to a relaxing ferry ride back to the city.

Read more: The Most Beautiful Coastal Walks Sydney Has to Offer

@tim_ashelford

5. Grand Cliff Top Walk

Nearest train station: Wentworth Falls & Katoomba
Train line: Blue Mountains Line
Walk distance: 19km
Walk duration: 6 hours

Walked and written by Tayla Holborow

The Grand Cliff Top Walk links the towns of Wentworth Falls, Leura, and Katoomba, as well as new and existing trails with a well-maintained track, consisting of sandstone steps, metal grates, concreted lookouts, and relatively smooth natural paths.

While the walk can be done in either direction, most hikers tend to start at Darwins Walk in Wentworth Falls, which is a short ten-minute walk from the train station.

If you’re travelling via public transport from Sydney, you can catch a two-hour train directly from Central Station to Wentworth Falls. Bus number 686 will take you from the end of the hike at Scenic World to Katoomba Station, where you can catch the train back to the CBD.

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!

Undercliff Bridge | Image thanks to RBrand DCCEEW

6. Koala Spotting at Smiths Creek Reserve

Nearest train station: Leumeah
Train line: Southern Line
Walk distance: 6km
Walk duration: 3 hours

Despite its proximity to Sydney, this walk is packed with great wildlife, including everyone’s favourite tree-hugging marsupial. Catch the train to Leumeah and after a short stomp through the back streets you’ll come to the edge of the sprawling Smiths Creek Reserve, just west of the Heathcote National Park.

The area is quite compact but has a big network of paths to explore. Keep your eyes out for Eastern rosellas, Red-bellied black snakes, and koalas.

If your train gets delayed, switch to the northern line and head out to Badu Mangroves in the heart of Sydney’s Bicentennial National Park instead. You’ll be there in half the time, and the hour-long walk is the perfect balance of length and great scenery.

7. Wondabyne to Kariong Falls

Nearest train station: Wondabyne
Train line: Northern Line
Walk distance: 10km
Walk duration: 4 hours

The feeling of adventure starts right on the platform in Sydney. Due to the small number of people who want to get off at Wondabyne, you have to inform the guard you want to stop in order to get off. And when you’re back on the platform ready to head home, you need to wave the train down. Forget, and you could be out in the bush for a while!

Wondabyne to Kariong isn’t a well known route, so you won’t see many other people. There are some great views across the valley and depending on the recent weather, Kariong Falls is a great place to take a dip before retracing your steps back to the station. In wet weather there can be a number of leeches so be prepared.

Read more: Leeches: How To Remove, Avoid, and Appreciate Them

8. Otford to Bundeena

Nearest train station: Otford or Cronulla
Train line: Illawarra or Cronulla Lines
Walk distance: 30km
Walk duration: 9 hours

Somewhat a rite of passage for all Sydney-based walkers, the Otford to Bundeena Coastal Track takes in around 30km of amazing scenery. From secluded beaches to clifftop waterfalls, hikers are drowning in views from beginning to end.

The route used to be tackled over two days by camping overnight at North Era Campground, however the campground is closed for the foreseeable future, so this one is now a single-day strike mission taking around 8-9 hours.

Catch the train out to Otford Station in the south and finish at Bundeena in the north. You’ll then board a ferry at Bundeena that takes you back to Cronulla and the Sydney rail network.

Make sure you pack your swimmers. You’ll be passing a lot of stunning beaches!

9. Katoomba to Ruined Castle

Nearest train station: Katoomba
Train line: Blue Mountains Line
Walk distance: 14km
Walk duration: 6 hours

Note: Ruined Castle is currently closed, but not forever! Keep this list saved and check the NSW National Park website for updates on the reopening before you head out.

There are some truly wild walks that start and finish in Katoomba. Just three hours from Sydney, the area acts as a gateway to some of the more remote areas of the Blue Mountains National Park. If you’re looking for a one day taster, heading out to Ruined Castle is a great choice.

Starting in a crush of tourists at Scenic World, you soon leave the crowds behind as you head out along the Federal Pass Walking Track into the valley. Ruined Castle itself is a pile of rocks protruding from the surrounding sandstone, offering incredible views south towards Kanangra Boyd and the perfect spot to have your lunch before returning to town.

Take This Overnight Hike: Federal Pass To Mount Solitary Via Ruined Castle in Blue Mountains

10. Burning Palms Loop via Figure 8 Pools

Nearest train station: Otford
Train line: Illawarra Line
Walk distance: 14km
Walk duration: 4 hours

This hike along Burning Palms Loop is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. From the viewpoint at the very start to the secluded beaches at the end and all of the amazing habitats you walk through in between. The detour to Figure 8 Pools is an optional add-on to this walk. It’s a beautiful place, but it’s not without risks so pay attention to tide times, and give it a miss if you value serenity over a crowded viewpoint.

On the southern end of the Royal National Park, Otford Station is only 75 minutes from Sydney, but it feels a million miles away when you’re there. The trains aren’t as regular on this route so make sure you plan your journey in and out, otherwise you could be sitting around, tired and hungry, while night sets in.

11. Bullawarring Track to Kingfisher Pool

Nearest train station: Waterfall and Heathcote
Train line: Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line
Walk distance: 12km including walk to and from stations
Walk duration: 4.5 hours including walk to and from station

Walked and written by Amy Fairall

This simple and super accessible overnight hike links up a few different tracks, has two different campground options, both right by gorgeous natural swimming pools, and can be easily accessed by train!

My mates and I started the hike in Waterfall and camped at Kingfisher Pool campground, but it’s just as easy to start at the Heathcote end and camp at Mirang Pool campground. Both campgrounds are only about 1.5km from the trailhead, so no need to rush in!

12. Kiama Coastal Walk

Nearest train station: Minnamurra and Gerringong stations
Train line: South Coast Line
Walk distance: 20km
Walk duration: 6-7 hours

Walked and written by Emily Parisi

The Kiama Coastal Walk is located about 1.5 hours from Sydney and can be easily reached by car or train – get off at Minnamurra Station, walk your way along the coast, then jump back on at Gerringong! Your furry friend is welcome too, so don’t forget to bring them along!

The Kiama Coastal Walk can be tackled in one go, or broken into three sections:

1. North Section — Minnamurra River to Kiama Blowhole
2. Mid Section — Kiama Blowhole to Loves Bay
3. South Section — Loves Bay to Gerringong

The whole walk totals 20km and it’s suitable for beginner to intermediate hikers.

Whether you choose to do it all at once, in three sections, or turn it into an overnight hike and stay at one of the caravan parks along the way, the Kiama Coastal Walk is undoubtedly one of the best coastal walks near Sydney. You can expect spectacular views, sealed paths, cliff tops, and the gentle sweep of golden sands every which way you look.

@jonharris_photography

FAQs Hiking Sydney Using Public Transport

Where can I bushwalk in Sydney?

There are plenty of amazing places to go bushwalking in Sydney. There’s everything from the easy day walk from the Spit to Manly to the 30km Coast Track from Otford to Bundeena.

Do you need a car to bushwalk near Sydney?

You definitely don’t need a car!

There are lots of hikes close to Sydney and accessible via the train line once you start looking. And these are just the ones you can conquer in a day. There are heaps of multi-day hikes linking different stations together too. Top up your Opal Card and get exploring!

How long is the Otford to Bundeena Walk?

The Otford to Bundeena walk, also called the Coast Track, is 30km long.

What’s the best time of day to go hiking?

It depends on the season. In winter it doesn’t really matter but in summer you want to start as early as you can to avoid the heat of the day.

Do I need an Opal card to catch public transport in Sydney?

No! You can tap on with any debit or credit card, or even your phone if you’re so inclined.

Feature photo by R Brand for DCCEEW

Want more adventures in and around Sydney?

• Your Complete Guide to Adventures Near Sydney
• 5 Caves to Crawl Into Near Sydney
• Hidden Adventures Waiting For You in Sydney
• Dog Friendly Walks Sydney