The best running trails in Sydney Harbour National Park

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.

Bradleys Head is a prominent headland in Sydney Harbour known for its beautiful panoramic views of the harbour and city skyline. There is an open foreshore parkland, a small lighthouse, and the historic mast monument made from decommissioned Royal Australian Navy ships. It sits within Sydney Harbour National Park and is a popular stop along the coastal walking track connecting busy areas like the Taronga Zoo and Chowder Bay.

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.

Manly Wharf is a busy harbourfront hub where ferries arrive and depart, linking the Northern Beaches with central Sydney. First built in 1855 and rebuilt between 1939 and 1941, the heritage‑listed wharf now combines its historic role as a transport terminal with an expansive promenade of cafés, shops, and open views across the water. It marks both the start and finish of the famous Manly ferry journey, anchoring the town’s connection between the harbour and nearby ocean beaches.

From this spot, the track opens to sweeping views across Middle Harbour, with the Sydney skyline in the distance. The mix of bushland, sheltered bays, and city towers creates one of the walk’s most impressive contrasts. It’s a highlight of the 10-kilometre coastal trail, which winds past beaches, Aboriginal heritage sites, and panoramic lookouts on the way to Manly.