The best running trails in Sydney Harbour National Park

Burragula lookout is widely regarded as one of Sydney’s best viewpoints, with panoramic views over the entrance to Sydney Harbour and the open Pacific Ocean, with dramatic sandstone cliffs dropping to the water below. Easily reached via the Fairfax Walk, it is a popular spot for taking in ocean views and watching migrating whales during the season.

Yiningma lookout is a beautiful viewpoint set back from the cliff edge, with sweeping views along the rugged coastline and out to the open ocean, and is a well-known spot for whale watching during migration season. The lookout is accessible via Fairfax Walk and is a fantastic spot to capture a few memorable photos of the headland’s cliffs and the surrounding seascape.

Manly Scenic Walkway is a 10 kilometre one-way coastal walk from Spit Bridge to Manly, following the edge of Middle and North Harbour. The Grade 3 track takes around 3.5 to 4.5 hours, passing bushland, harbour beaches, and lookouts along the way. Highlights include Clontarf Beach, Reef Beach, Grotto Point’s Aboriginal engravings, and views from Dobroyd Head.

Bluefish Track is a lovely route that connects heathland, coastal cliffs, and historic military sites. The track is generally well-formed with easy gradients, passing through open scrub and sections of low woodland. It connects key points such as the gun pits and nearby lookouts, combining natural scenery with layered history, making it a fantastic route for an easy walk or an educational family outing.

The World War II Gun Pits at North Head are concrete coastal defence emplacements built to help protect Sydney Harbour during the war. The four pits sit in exposed positions overlooking the ocean, reflecting their strategic role in monitoring and defence. Today, the remains are open to visitors and are a stark historical contrast to the surrounding coastal landscape.

Taronga Zoo Sydney is a large harbourside zoo located on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour, directly opposite the city skyline. Opened in 1916, the zoo houses more than 4,000 animals representing hundreds of species from Australia and around the world. Its hillside setting offers sweeping harbour views while prioritising wildlife conservation, education, and breeding programs for threatened species. The zoo is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm.

Tucked inside Cabbage Tree Bay, Shelly Beach is a sheltered cove and a favourite swimming spot at the northern end of Manly. Unlike most beaches along this stretch of coast, it faces west, which keeps the water calmer and makes it ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and stand-up paddleboarding. The beach sits within the protected Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, so it’s common to see fish close to shore in the clear water. A grassy reserve and café sit just behind the sand, making it an easy place to pause before continuing along the coastal path.

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve protects the clear waters between Manly Beach and Shelly Beach and is one of Sydney’s best spots to see marine life close to shore. Fishing is prohibited here, allowing fish populations to thrive, and snorkelers often spot blue gropers, rays, and large schools of fish in the calm bay. A popular underwater nature trail with information plaques sits just offshore near Shelly Beach. Even from the coastal path above, the protected bay’s clear water often reveals fish swimming below.