NSW - Sydney - Hiking in Sydney
From: Susan Velasquez in New Jersey, USA
Might you be the type that goes somewhere new and ends up
only seeing the designated and well known tourist sites? There is, of
course, nothing wrong with that , as it is actually a pretty good way
to get acquainted with a place. But it's also nice to experience the
natural perspective; to get to know the origins of a place and see how
it was, even before development. Sydney, the largest city in the
Southern Hemisphere, is a superb place to do this, and all by using
public transport to boot. Sydney is surrounded by incredible and
historic National Parks, and wonderful walking trails right around the
gorgeous harbour. You can spend 2 weeks hiking around Sydney and
surrounds and not need a car to get to any of them.
Start in Sydney's south at the Royal National Park, the
2nd oldest national park in the world, after Yellowstone. On Sunday's
you can take the train to Loftus station and then get a tram right into
the park. It's a short walk from the tram to the visitor's center,
where maps and information about trails are provided. There are 3-4
wonderful trails that lead right out from the visitor's center and take
you along differing and beautiful vistas. Some of the views are
breathtaking and at the same time let you imagine a Sydney before
highrises and a sprawling suburbia. Some trails are challenging, but
there is something for everyone and you can spot many native animals in
their natural habitat (just steps from the visitor's center we spotted
a Lyre bird, several rainbow lorrekeets and rosellas, white cockatoos
as well as the more rare black variety). It is quite calming listening
to all the sounds of the bush and to know that in one hour you can be
back in the city center
and be shopping in some of the best stores and eating
in the best restaurants. Available too are hire boats to row on the
lake, picnic areas and a place to buy a meat pie, should all that
walking make you hungry for some good Aussie tucker.
You can also get a train north of the city to Mt.
Kuringah Chase National Park and walk to the trail from the local train
station (we also saw several birds there and a very tame Kookaburra,
that came right up to us). Although rare, you should always be wary of
snakes and spiders, but all the trails are well defined and often used.
It's also good to know the Harbour foreshore and most
beaches now have wonderful walking trails as well. You can walk from
Darling Harbour, around The Rocks and Circular Quay and around to Mrs.
Macquarie's Chair and Darlinghurst along one trail and take the ferry
to Taronga Zoo on the other side and walk still another trail there.
Or you can catch the ferry to Manly and get information
at their visitor's center about several hikes in that area, including
one to North Head.
The beaches on the south side of the city also have long
walks that can take you past several other beaches. There is a famous
one that starts at Bondi beach (accessible by bus and train) and goes
south past several famous beaches with spectacular views. It even
passes a famous and surprisingly impressive cemetery on the cliffs.
A train to Kogarah, a bus to Sans Souci and a walk
along the coast of Botany Bay for several miles will take you to
Rockdale and beyond.
Another can't miss beach is Cronulla in the city's
south. It isn't as well known as Bondi or Manly but many like it
better and say it's more beautiful. Take the train right there and
walk south past more gorgeous beaches like Shelly Beach. From
Cronulla, catch a ferry to Bundeena. There are several miles of trails
there that go past breathtaking beaches, through incredible bush land,
along awesome cliffs and even past Aboriginal rock carvings. You get
the point. Along most of these walks you experience the incredible
natural beauty of Sydney, see beautiful and unique wildlife, experience
Australia's rich history and get an amazing workout, all for the price
of a bus, train or ferry ticket.
If you are willing to venture 2-3 hours out of the
city you can visit the Blue Mountains National Park. There you take a
train and then a local bus drops you off at the trail heads. You can
spend all day walking the different trails here, taking in the truly
delicious views, including the famous three sisters rock formation.
Consider staying in Katoomba overnight and exploring more of the park
the next day.
Everything is very easy to get to and there is ample
information at visitor's centers, tourist information centers or even
the airport or hotels. Of course the Internet is a good way to print
out trail and park maps or even bus and rail schedules.
So you can't limit yourself in Sydney even if you
wanted to. Sydney's natural wonders are just as rewarding, enjoyable
and accessible as are it's traditional attractions. Happy hiking.
By Susan Velasquez
19 Gates Avenue
Summit, NJ
07901
908-598-0543
SusanVelasquez60@hotmail.com
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