Urban Bushwalking - Sydney

What you'll learn

Discover the hidden bushland valleys and harbour foreshore trails right on Sydney’s doorstep while enjoying the physical and mental benefits of walking outdoors. 

This highly practical course gets you moving on real, public-transport-accessible routes, building confidence as you explore increasingly varied terrain with a supportive group. Along the way, you’ll develop essential walk-planning and navigation skills, deepen your connection to nature, and enjoy the wellbeing boost that comes from gentle exercise, fresh air and shared experiences. By the end of the course, you’ll feel more confident, energised and connected — with the skills and motivation to keep exploring Sydney’s green and coastal spaces.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this course, you should be able to:
• Prepare for and participate in urban nature walks, including gear, timing and safety essentials.
• Navigate short trails using a map and route awareness in mixed urban-bush environments.
• Identify native trees, birds and habitat indicators in harbour-fringe bushland.
• Apply minimal impact walking and group etiquette on public trails.

Course Content

Session 1 – Urban Bushwalking Basics: Gore Cove Track

Walk: Gore Cove Track & Berry Island Loop (behind Wollstonecraft Station) – a hidden bushland valley with rainforest-like vegetation, bridges and mangrove edges close to the city.

Focus: Walk preparation, safety, basic trail observation and group etiquette.

Skills: Gear checks, trail briefing, awareness of uneven paths.

Distance/Duration: ~3–4 km (2–2.5 hours).

Transport: Train to Wollstonecraft Station.

Session 2 – Coastal Bush & Harbour Track: Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay

Walk: Bradleys Head – Chowder Bay – Balmoral Beach – a scenic harbour path with bush tracks, beaches and native vegetation.

Focus: Reading varied terrain, pacing and breaks, water/rest planning.

Skills: Trail marker awareness, basic route awareness using maps.

Distance/Duration: ~5–7 km (3–4 hours).

Transport: Ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Wharf; walk from there.

Session 3 – Foreshore Bush and Harbour Views: Hermitage Foreshore & South Head

Walk: Hermitage Foreshore Walk + South Head Heritage Trail – combines bush boardwalk, coastal vegetation and historic Sydney Harbour lookout.

Focus: Nature interpretation (plants, birds), photo-logging and reflective observation techniques.

Skills: Environmental observation checklist, pacing in hilly sections.

Distance/Duration: ~5–6 km (3–4 hours).

Transport: Ferry to Watsons Bay, short walk to start.

Session 4 – Extended Harbour Bush Walk: Spit Bridge to Manly

Walk: Spit Bridge to Manly Walk – a classic Sydney harbour track combining bush paths, beaches, lookout points and coastal forest.

Focus: Group planning, pacing strategies and leadership of short walk segments.

Skills: Walk planning and review, group safety on varied terrain, reflective debrief.

Distance/Duration: ~9–10 km (4–5 hours).

Transport: Bus to Spit Bridge, ferry/train home from Manly.

Who Should Enrol

This course suits adults who want hands-on walking experience in Sydney’s natural areas easily reached from the city and who want to build confidence in planning and navigating short nature walks.

• In-field walking sessions: Each session is centred on a real walk with short teaching moments (safety brief, navigation tips, nature interpretation).

• Pre-walk briefing: Short map and trail overview delivered before each session.

• Reflection: End-of-walk group discussion to reinforce learning.