The best family-friendly hikes in Sydney

Arrunga Bardo Walk at Lake Parramatta Reserve, Parramatta    

Distance: 1.8km return 
Time: 35 minutes  
Difficulty: Fairly easy, formed track 
Pram-friendly: No 

Head to this reserve in Parramatta to discover a 73-hectare oasis where you can bushwalk, swim, picnic and play; an ideal opportunity to get kids of all ages into nature. The walk loops from the Arrunga Bardo Garden to the Calm Waters Lookout, with fine views of the river. Keep an eye out for cockatoos, sugar gliders, blue tongue lizards and maybe even an echidna. The garden has a selection of local native plants, most of which were valued for hunting, weaving, food and medicine by the Burramattagal People, the traditional owners of the land. There’s a playground, kiosk and swimming area nearby, too.  

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Narrabeen Lagoon Trail, Narrabeen  

Distance: 8.4km loop 
Time: 2-3 hours  
Difficulty: Easy, paved track 
Pram-friendly: Yes 

Winding through bush, parklands and rich eco-systems, with hundreds of species of birds and gorgeous views, this jewel of the Northern Beaches will make you feel a million miles from the city. Even though the whole loop is a little too long for younger kids, there are four picnic grounds (all with car parks) strategically placed along the trail, so you can start the circuit from any of these locations and just do a short section. Both Bilarong Reserve and Berry Reserve have playgrounds, and the latter has a cafe.   

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Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Bondi 

Distance: 6km one way 
Time: 2-3 hours  
Difficulty: Easy, paved track with some stairs 
Pram-friendly: No 

Sydney’s iconic coastal walk is a must. With the promise of a swim at the end (or on the way) and views across some of the city’s most famous beaches, the longer distance will feel like a breeze. Starting at Bondi Beach, admire the azure Bondi Icebergs pool as you head towards Tamarama Beach, stopping to look at the Aboriginal engravings at Marks Park. From there, follow the coastline to Bronte Beach, which has a gorgeous natural rock pool at the south end, popular with the little ones, and a much-loved kid’s train ride. Next up is Clovelly Beach and Gordons Bay, narrow inlets often busy with snorkellers and people sunbathing on the rocks. Before you know it, you’ll finish at Coogee Beach, home to four ocean pools, surrounding barbecues and grassland as well as plenty of places for lunch nearby.

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Wulugul Walk, Barangaroo  

Distance: 1.5km one way   
Time: 25 minutes 
Difficulty: Easy, paved track 
Pram-friendly: Yes 
 
A shared walking and cycling path between King Street Wharf and the northeastern tip of Barangaroo Reserve, this easy city track is a waterside haven in the city. If you start from the south end of the walk, you can finish with a picnic on the lawn among native trees with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Up for a challenge with older kids? The entire foreshore walk stretches 11km from Anzac Bridge to Woolloomooloo.  

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Fairyland Loop Track in Lane Cove National Park, Chatswood West  

Distance: 5.3km loop 
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes 
Difficulty: Moderately challenging, a variety of terrain  
Pram-friendly: No 

Lane Cove National Park, a pocket of bushland running along both sides of the Lane Cove River, is a remarkable nature oasis considering its urban surroundings. With plenty of picnic areas, playgrounds, and open grassy fields, it’s an excellent place to explore with your family. The Fairyland Loop Track can be commenced at different points – the Chatswood Rotary Athletics Field has free parking and a toilet – and then follows part of the Great North Walk towards Chatswood West, crossing the river and coming back up the other bank. Towards the end, you’ll bypass the Fairyland Pleasure Ground, a historic site of a 19th-century recreation area. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot an echidna, wallaby or osprey, as well as plenty of other birds.  

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Hermitage Foreshore Track, Vaucluse 

Distance: 2.2km one way 
Time: 1 hour  
Difficulty: Fairly easy, even track 
Pram-friendly: No 

Charming beaches to take a mid-walk dip, historic houses and Aboriginal history – the Hermitage Foreshore Track in Vaucluse is often overshadowed by the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk but is equally as pleasant. If you start at Bayview Hill Road and walk north, you can end the journey with a picnic at the gorgeous Nielsen Park (the neighbouring Shark Beach is currently closed for construction but is due to open June 2024). The area was well-used by the Birrabirragal People of the Eora Nation – middens, axe grinding stones and fishhooks have been found here. Make sure to pause at Ralph Newboult Lookout for a snack break for great views across the harbour to the city. 

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Sensory Trail in Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills  

Distance: 350m loop 
Time: 30 minutes 
Difficulty: Easy, formed track 
Pram-friendly: Yes 

The Cumberland State Forest is 99 acres of native forest, Australia’s only metropolitan state forest (which means you can bring your pup) and is on the lands of traditionally visited by Dharug, Guringah and Cammeraygal People. The Sensory Trail is perfect for toddlers, with signage to encourage the walker to slow down and experience nature with all their senses (listen out for parrots, lorikeets, eastern whipbirds and satin bowerbirds). There are two more short loops (1km and 1.3km) that aren't pram friendly but easy for slightly older kids in the forest, plus there’s wide-open spaces to picnic, a cafe and the TreeTops Adventure The Hills nearby.  

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Cape Baily Track in Kamay National Park, Kurnell

Distance: 8km return 
Time: 3 hours 
Difficulty: Easy, paved track  
Pram-friendly: No (the track is mostly flat but there are a few steps on sections of natural sandstone – with two people, it could be possible with a pram) 

This peaceful walk with dramatic ocean views and sandstone formations in the Kurnell area of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park is a great one to tackle with older kids (or napping babies in a carrier). Give it a go during whale season (between May and October) for a good chance to see these magnificent beasts breaching as they swim by – plus the cooler weather is ideal, as there is not much shade on the route, so hats and water are a necessity. Admire the variety of heathland and freshwater wetlands vegetation, as well as sea birds and local reptiles. 

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Heath Track at Manly Dam, Allambie Heights 

Distance: 1km loop 
Time: 25 minutes 
Difficulty: Fairly easy, formed track  
Pram-friendly: No  

Unlike the other walks at Manly Dam, this one starts at Allambie Heights and offers sweeping views across the dam, Manly Beach and Chatswood. There are a few steep drops off the rock ledge so make sure you are holding hands with younger kids. Keep an eye out for wildflowers in spring, and reward yourself with a coffee at the Allambie Heights shops afterwards, or explore more of the dam, which offers picnic grounds, a playground, more short bushwalks and opportunities to paddle in the water. Kids might like walking across the dam wall, which has great views.  

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Aboriginal Heritage Walk, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park  

Distance: 4.4km loop 
Time: 3.5 hours 
Difficulty: Quite challenging, many obstacles and steep hills 
Pram-friendly: No 

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is home to a trove of natural and cultural treasures; and this walk takes in many of them. You can start in either direction around the loop – if you’re with younger kids you could stop at the Red Hands Cave (600m from Resolute picnic area) to see the handprints in the sandstone of the ancestors of the Garrigal People. Continue on to the jaw-dropping views of West Head Lookout and stop for a dip and a picnic at Resolute Beach, which feels like you’ve discovered a secret. Stop at the Aboriginal engravings and learn more about the people who once lived here. 

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Mountain View Reserve, Cranebrook 

Distance: 1.8km loop 
Time: 40 minutes 
Difficulty: Easy, formed track 
Pram-friendly: Yes 

A hidden gem not far from Penrith’s CBD, Mountain View Reserve is on the traditional lands of the Darug People. The easy track takes you past bushland and wetland, home to many species of wildlife, some unique to this area. Look (and listen) out for the superb fairy-wren, little eagle, eastern banjo frog, white-faced heron and brush-tailed possum. There’s even an activity sheet to encourage kids to observe their environment. Afterwards, head to nearby cafe The Bunker which has a kid’s menu and all-day breakfast for the adults.  

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Heathcote Station to Karloo Pools in the Royal National Park, Heathcote 

Distance: 5.3km return 
Time: 2 hours 
Difficulty: Moderately challenging, some obstacles and steep hills 
Pram-friendly: No 

Although this walk in the Royal National Park can be a little challenging with some steep rocky sections (proper footwear is recommended), it’s still beginner-friendly and more than worthwhile with the promise of a mid-walk dip in the freshwater Karloo Pools. Starting from Heathcote train station, it takes you through native heathland to the popular pools – if you want to go further (with older kids), Uloola Falls is another 2.3km away (which has a campground if you want to make a weekend of it) and is another pretty picnic spot.  

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Please note: Stay safe in NSW national parks. Plan by checking the NPWS website for alerts and closures before visiting a park. For more safety tips and park alerts, visit nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety.