Nature and parks
Must do
Explore Sydney’s great outdoors
Find things to do in Sydney with a diverse natural environment on an outdoor adventure. Enjoy a scenic walk, or visit national parks and tiny harbour islands.
Sydney’s natural wonders and attractions

With its rich variety of bushland, rainforest, green spaces and coastal spots, Sydney in Summer is the ultimate outdoor playground for locals and tourists alike. Experience one of Sydney’s best-loved walks, such as the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Discover secret nooks in which to laze away a hot day with a picnic, take a leisurely cycle beneath leafy pathways or escape to a quiet retreat to drink in the sights and scents of the great outdoors.
Sydney Harbour acts as a gateway to the natural world. Navigate your way around the Sydney Harbour Islands by ferry, hire a kayak and head to secret secluded coastal hideaways or make your way to a scenic spot by foot.
Only a short distance from the city lies the untamed beauty of the Royal National Park and the lush mountainous region of the Blue Mountains, a 90-minute drive from Sydney. Both popular tourist attractions, these pristine natural environments come alive in the warmer seasons with colourful displays of flora and thriving wildlife. Head here for bushwalks, hiking, camping, breathe in the fresh air and uncover the richness of a landscape that includes wetlands, eucalypt woodlands, rugged bushland, lush rainforests and sandstone gorges.
National Parks around Sydney
It’s rare for a global city such as Sydney to be surrounded by nature at every turn. Sydney Harbour National Park is at the heart of the city while Ku-ring-gai and Royal National Parks the city to the north and the south.

Sydney Harbour Islands
As well being home to idyllic picnic spots, the Sydney Harbour Islands, including Fort Denison, Shark, Clark, Rodd, Goat and Cockatoo Island. Guided tours can be booked through Cadmans Cottage to learn about Aboriginal culture and Sydney’s colonial past.

Walks and hikes near Sydney
Taking to Sydney by foot offers rich scenic rewards with routes to suit all fitness levels. Be sure to do the favourites such as the coastal clifftop walk from Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, the harbourside walk from Mosman Wharf to Cremorne Point, the Manly to Spit Bridge Scenic Walkway, or, head off the beaten track with a daytrip to the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Natural Charms, Tourist Attractions
Whatever gets you out into the great outdoors, whether it’s a picnic on the grass, a game of cricket, a bike ride through a leafy park, a stroll through history or a bushwalk in rugged surroundings, Sydney and its diverse suburbs have just what you’re looking for.Some of these places are famous and well known, yet even in the very heart of Sydney there are quiet, green, natural, nooks where you’ll only hear the sounds of birds tweeting and leaves rustling.
Sydney Harbour brings its own special dimensions to the natural world. The foreshores and harbour islands are accessible places of secrets and mystery. They often come with a great story to tell, and only reveal their natural treasures to those who are prepared to strike out by combination of Sydney Ferries and by foot.
You don’t have to travel far from the city to put yourself into the Royal National Park or the fringes of the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage Area. These are wild and rugged tourist attractions where you can go on a real nature tour and bushwalk, hike and camp in rainforests, wetlands and eucalypt woodlands, all cradled by sandstone gorges.
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Shark Island Sydney City, Sydney, Sydney Harbour
Shark Island offers a picnic experience that's a little bit different! The island received its name because of its shape and not its wildlife. O...
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov- Additional Information
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North Head Sanctuary
Sydney North, Sydney, Manly
North Head is one of Sydney’s most spectacular landmarks, an area of pristine bushland dotted with institutional uses such as the former School ...
www.harbourtrust.gov.au- Additional Information
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Ultimate Sydney Sailing
Surrounds, Sydney
This unique day is the ultimate way to experience the beauty of Sydney. Your experienced guide greets you at your city hotel for a walk around the his...
www.australianwildescapes- Additional Information
- Full Day.
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Middle Harbour Eco Tour
Surrounds, Sydney
The Eco Tour runs for four hours every Saturday and Sunday starting from 8.30am at The Spit in Mosman.All paddling equipment, morning tea and bottled ...
www.sydneyharbourkayaks.c- Additional Information
- Half Day or less.
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Lightning Ridge, Warrumbungle and Western Plains Zoo
Coonabarabran, Dubbo, Newcastle, Surrounds, Wyong, Sydney
From opal mining to cotton farming, this tour will give you a unique experience of Lightning Ridge and the Western Outback of New South Wales. Tour hi...
www.nht.com.au- Additional Information
- Extended.
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Centennial Parklands
Inner Sydney, Sydney, Surrounds
Centennial Parklands are considered the 'lungs of the city', covering more than 360 hectares and located less than five kilometres from the ...
www.centennialparklands.c- Additional Information
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Narrabri and Mount Kaputar - The New West
Narrabri, Surrounds, Sydney
Tour highlights include: Water Ways Wildlife Park in the Koala Capital of Australia, Australian Cotton Centre, Federation Farm an award winning enviro...
www.nht.com.au- Additional Information
- Extended.
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Grand Sydney with Harbour Luncheon Cruise - Tour 247
Surrounds, Sydney
By combining Tour 231 Sydney City Tour and Bondi and Tour 202 Sydney Highlights and Manly, you can discover Sydney in a day - the harbour, the city, t...
www.grayline.com.au- Additional Information
- Full Day.
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City Explorer-Hop on Hop Off - Tour 201
Surrounds, Sydney
The independent and easy way to get around Sydney and its best attractions. The hop on - hop off open top double-decker allows you to discover vibran...
www.grayline.com.au- Additional Information
- Full Day, Half Day or less.
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Aboriginal Heritage Tour
Surrounds, Sydney
Join in a journey of discovery with an Aboriginal guide and learn about the Royal Botanic Gardens' rich Aboriginal heritage. Find out what this s...
www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au- Additional Information
- Half Day or less.
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