The 5 most popular hiking trails within two hours of Sydney

Over the past few years, interest in hiking (in NSW and beyond) seems to have skyrocketed – and Sydney’s love affair with the great outdoors is showing no signs of slowing down. According to AllTrails’ 2025 ‘Year on the Trails’, Australians logged almost 28 million kilometres on the trail this year, with NSW hikers spoilt for choice. If you’re keen to get amongst it, and don’t want to spend too long in a car before you get moving, we’re here to help. We spoke to the good people at AllTrails for their round-up of the top-rated hikes within two hours of Sydney.

Wattamolla to Garie Beach, Royal National Park

Hike distance: 15.8 kilometres (return)
Drive time from Sydney CBD: Around 60–70 minutes

One of the most iconic coastal walks in NSW, this clifftop trail winds through Royal National Park from Wattamolla to Garie Beach, just south of Sydney. Expect sweeping ocean views, dramatic sandstone headlands, pockets of bushland and a spectacular waterfall moment, before finishing at a wild surf beach that feels gorgeously remote.

RELATED READ: This two-day hike just outside of Sydney is the perfect intro to overnight hiking

Curracurrang Falls, Royal National Park

Hike distance: 4.3 kilometres return (to the waterfall and back)
Drive time from Sydney CBD: Around 60–70 minutes

This short but spectacular hike leads to one of only a handful of waterfalls in Australia that plunge directly into the ocean. Found near Eagle Rock in the Royal National Park, it’s an easy-going walk with huge visual payoff – especially after rain, when the falls are at their most thunderous.

Bouddi Coastal Walk: Little Beach to Putty Beach, Central Coast

Hike distance: 8 kilometres one‑way section
Drive time from Sydney CBD: Around 75–80 minutes

Just north of Sydney, this stretch of the Bouddi Coastal Walk packs turquoise bays, rugged cliffs and postcard-perfect lookouts into a single day hike. Hikers can expect a mix of shaded bush tracks and exposed coastal paths, with plenty of swim stops if the weather’s playing nice.

Tessellated Pavement from Putty Beach Camping Area, Bouddi National Park

Hike distance: 2.1 kilometres return
Drive time from Sydney CBD: Around 75–80 minutes

Starting near the Putty Beach campground, this lesser-known trail leads to one of the Central Coast’s most fascinating natural features: a honeycomb-like rock platform carved by the sea. It’s a relatively easy walk, ideal for curious explorers keen on geology, coastal views and quiet moments by the ocean.

Palm Jungle Loop Track, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Hike distance: 10 km loop
Drive time from Sydney CBD: Around 60–75 minutes

Hidden deep in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, this loop track feels like stepping into a prehistoric rainforest just north of the city. The trail winds through a lush palm-filled valley, with creek crossings, sandstone steps and a cool, shaded atmosphere that makes it a fave for keen walkers who want to get their steps in on warmer days.

According to AllTrails, dog-friendly, kid-friendly and pram-friendly hikes topped search filters this year – showing that Sydneysiders are chasing accessible adventures. And thankfully, we don’t need to travel too far to find them.

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