It’s easy to see why you’d want to get involved in outdoor activities in Sydney. After all, our sunny coastal city has so much to offer, from beautiful beaches to captivating bushland and plenty of wide, open spaces. It’s a city made for outdoor adventures – and, once you’ve had your fun, there are plenty of places to rest up and rejuvenate afterwards, too!
The city of Sydney covers a lot of ground, stretching from pretty-as-a-picture ocean pools and secluded beaches, all the way inland with plenty of adventure pitstops along the way, from jaw-dropping waterfalls to kayaking in a picturesque lagoon. And let’s not forget all the activities you can do in the ‘burbs; lawn bowls, mini-golf, and even skydiving.
But what are the best outdoor activities in Sydney? We’ve put our heads together and come up with the most adventurous activities we could find! So, keep reading, dust off your walking shoes, and explore Sydney in the best way possible.
1. Cool off underneath a waterfall
Sydney is known for its beaches, but its waterfalls are also well worth a visit. Collins Beach is just a short walk from Manly wharf, or you can park in a nearby side street. However, as the beach is located within National Park bushland and is only accessible by foot or boat, it doesn’t get as busy as you might expect. To see the waterfall at its best, visit after recent rain. The waterfall leads down all the way down to the picturesque Collins Beach, where you can relax in the calm water.
2. Visit a cave
If you fancy a day trip, visit Caves Beach in Lake Macquarie. It’s about 130km out of Sydney but is well worth the journey. At low tide at Caves Beach, you’ll be able to explore a large series of sea caves at its southern end. With BBQ facilities and a picnic area, it’s also the perfect camping spot if you wanted to stay longer and explore.
3. Go kayaking
Looking for an upper-body workout? Enter kayaking; the perfect outdoor activity in Sydney and a great way to work out on the water, too. The best part is that you can do as little or as much as you like.
Start with a short paddle session around Rose Bay with a kayak from Rose Bay Aquatic Hire. Then, if you’re game, paddle out further to Shark Island or Milk Beach. It’s the perfect active day out!
4. Go horse riding through the forest
Take the reins (literally) on your next outdoor adventure in Sydney and try travelling on horseback. Hidden Valley Horse Riding on the central coast is a mere 60 minutes north of Sydney, and it caters to all skill levels. Trek through rolling green paddocks and lush forest landscapes while you master the skill of horse riding. Want to stay longer? No problem; Hidden Valley also offers farm stay accommodation.
5. Try canyoning in the Blue Mountains
If you’re looking for more challenging outdoor activities in Sydney, why not try canyoning? The Blue Mountains features some of the most beautiful views in all of NSW, so why not appreciate them while embracing your adventurous side? Canyoning is essentially a combination of rock climbing, abseiling and walking.
High and Wild offer a variety of canyoning adventures. Trek through the forest, wade through luminous rock pools and abseil into waterfalls. There’s truly no better place to do it!
There are plenty more outdoor activities in Sydney, depending on how adventurous you are! If you still want to explore but don’t have a whole day to spare, check out our pick of Sydney’s best hikes.
Or, if you like adventure but you’re more of an indoors type, discover our favourite activities in Sydney here.
