Secret Spots in Sydney- Bloggers Reveal All

There is so much to see and do in Sydney, it can be a bit overwhelming when you first arrive. All visitors and new expats hit the major spots first- the Opera House, Manly and Bondi, or Circular Quay. But what next? Not to worry, there’s so much more to explore in Sydney beyond the most well-known tourist locations.  If you’re wondering where to start, we’ve asked some top Sydney bloggers for their best secret spots in the city.

Here’s the best undiscovered, unique, and beautiful places to explore in Sydney, as recommended by fellow Sydney travel bloggers- you can leave the guide book at home!

Cremorne Point Walk

One of our favourite walks in Sydney is the Cremorne Point Walk on the lower north shore. This beautiful foreshore trail provides gorgeous views of Mosman Bay, one of the prettiest bays in Sydney, as well as views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline.

The trail takes you through beautifully landscaped gardens, past the Maccallum swimming pool, a public pool with views of the harbour, and along picturesque little bays. Be sure to take the detour through Cremorne Reserve to get to the Robertsons Point Lighthouse for more fabulous views.

The 3km Cremorne Point walk is an easy walk to do, and anyone with general fitness should manage it. It is popular with joggers and dog walkers and also families with young children, as there are a couple of playgrounds along the way.

To get here, take the Mosman Ferry route F6 from Circular Quay and alight at Cremorne Point Wharf. There’s a little café at the wharf where you can grab a coffee while you wait for the ferry back at the end of your walk.

Marianne,  Mum on the Move
Instagram: @hungrymaz

Balmoral Beach

When people think of Sydney beaches, they automatically think of Bondi or Bronte. But there are so many more fabulous beaches in Sydney. One of our favourites is Balmoral Beach, located on the lower north shore in residential Mosman.

Balmoral Beach is popular with families, thanks to its expansive sandy beach and calm shallow waters. There are rocks to explore, plenty of grassy lawns to run around on and a good playground too. If you come during the week you will likely have much of the beach to yourself, but you can expect to fight for a parking space at weekends!

There’s a good selection of cafes and restaurants alongside the beach. Our favourite for an alfresco lunch or breakfast is the Boathouse, set on stilts over the water with sweeping views of the beach. Another local favourite is Bather’s Pavilion, with its choice of family friendly café or fine dining restaurant for evenings. Alternatively, you can grab some fish and chips for a picnic on the beach.

Keri, Little City Trips 

(Below- the beautiful Balmoral, photos courtesy of Little City Trips.)

Georges Heights Lookout 

Sydney Harbour is not short of good view points…One of my favourites is on Middle Head, on Sydney’s North Shore, in the suburb of Mosman. A short drive past Mosman Village, Georges Heights Lookout is located on former military land. The area has now been returned to public use and the lookout offers some of the best views over Sydney Harbour and the entrance to Port Jackson, also known as The Heads. The Sydney CBD skyline is majestically displayed in the distance and includes a glimpse of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Georges Heights Lookout is a former artillery point, but it’s now an ideal spot for a picnic. I always love to take overseas visitors to admire the views as I admired them on my wedding day!

Delphine,  LesterLost
Instagram- @danine_sydney

Diamond Bay 

It can be hard to find a secret spot along Sydney’s ever popular coastline, but Diamond Bay is just that. Located between the world famous Bondi Beach and local favourite Watson’s Bay, Diamond Bay is the perfect place to escape the crowds. It’s an incredible spot where you can sit on the edge of the cliff looking out to the ocean, and it’s especially atmospheric at sunrise.

To get there you walk through a small park before reaching the top of the cliff. Hop down from the boardwalk and you’ll immediately see the reason we love it so much. It’s a spectacular view as you walk through the archway and down to the stairs carved into the rock. We wouldn’t advise going down too far as it looks pretty wild with huge waves crashing up against the narrow steps.

Spend a while sitting on the ledge between May and October and you may even spot one of the migrating humpback whales!

Cat, Walk My World 

Palm Beach

It feels a long way from the city to Sydney’s northern tip, home to the golden sands of Palm Beach. But much like the Hamptons for Manhattanites, Palmy (as it’s affectionately called) is the holiday destination for Sydney’s elite. For fans of Australian soap opera “Home and Away”, it’s also the fictional Summer Bay.

The good news is that Palm Beach’s natural beauty is free for all. In fact, the best million-dollar view of the peninsula is from a short walk to the top of Barrenjoey headland, overlooking the beach and bay. The fairly steep climb rewards walkers with Insta-worthy selfies and a historic lighthouse at the top.

Tara, Sydney Coast Walks 

Kamay Botany Bay

The Kurnell side of Kamay Botany Bay National Park is located south of the Sydney city centre, and is one of my favourite secret Sydney spots. Most famous for being the site where Captain James Cook landed the Endeavour during one of his Pacific voyages of discovery, the National Park itself is a heritage listed and protected site. Whilst only 456 hectares in size, it features a visitors information centre, large picnic grounds and several breathtakingly beautiful bush and sea walks, including a sheer cliff walk looking out to sea, and a rocky-head walk around the point.

This walk showcases rock pools and stunning coloured rock formations, and includes a
raised walkway and carved stone stairs. Cape Solander is a great whale watching look out, and features a covered platform to view from. Kamay Botany Bay National Park is definitely a very special part of Sydney, and one that is as yet, unspoiled by crowds.

Barbara, Let’s Go Mum 
Instagram: @letsgomum

Maccallum Pool

Cremorne Point is the home of the best hidden gem in Sydney. I was staying at a local’s place through Couchsurfing, who loves swimming. He showed me the best pool in the city, which not only has a great view but is also free to visit. Maccallum Seawater Pool offers breathtaking views to the Opera House. If you go early morning you can have the whole place to yourself. The pool is 33m long and anyone can visit it. You can get there by taking the ferry from Circular Quay Wharf to Cremorne Point Wharf. Don’t miss this unique experience if you are in Sydney!

Eniko, Travel Hacker Girl 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelhackergirl/

Balls Head Reserve

I lived in Sydney for 10 years before finding this lovely spot not far from the centre of Sydney with incredible views over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

There is a beautiful old sign at Waverton Station, about 15 minutes on the train from Town Hall, directing passengers to ‘Alight Here for Beautiful Balls Head’. A short walk from the train station brings you to the nature reserve, where you can explore one of many bushwalks and the history of the area. A highlight was walking through the old coal tunnels, then discovering a community garden and scenic green space that had been built above, including information displays to enlighten visitors on the story of the tunnels and their story through time.

We last visited on a long weekend, there was loads of parking and we only met one or two other people on our walk through the reserve, it felt like a private oasis from the bustle of the city. We climbed original steps and paths that had been there since early last century, and going even further back in history saw an incredible huge rock carving of a whale made by the original inhabitants of the area – the Cammeraygal people.

There is also an info centre and delicious cafe and coffee shop in the reserve, and the area is dog friendly too- perfect for all the family.

Bryony, Coasting Australia
Instagram- @coastingaustralia

Visiting Sydney for the weekend and look for somewhere just as unique as these spots? If so, we recommend these Airbnbs:

• Bondi Cloud Surf House
• Redfern Retreat 
• Quirky Caravan Studio (Marrickville)

 

SS Ayrfield Shipwreck

There used to be a shipyard in Homebush Bay, near the Sydney Olympic Park. Since it closed in the 1970s, a mangrove has reclaimed the area and the ships that were abandoned there. The SS Ayrfield, a former collier, is the most prominent of these shipwrecks. Over the decades, a lush forest has grown throughout her rotten hull. One doesn’t even need a kayak to get close; it’s easy to admire and photograph it from the shore behind the Homebush Bay Apartments. The other shipwrecks around the bay are also easy to spot and offer a contrast between green foliage and red rust. All these sights are a 30-minute train ride from central Sydney, read about how to get to the SS Ayrfield on Rambling Feet.

Nicholas, Rambling Feet
Instagram- @ramblingfeet

If you’re still planning your trip to Sydney and haven’t decided where to stay, click here to compare hotel prices.

Still looking for more secret spots in Sydney to explore? I’d recommend checking out Tunks Park, Cockataoo Island’s haunted tours, or hiking in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

What are your favorite places in Sydney to visit?

Thanks to all the amazing Sydney travel bloggers for your tips! Note, as an Airbnb Affiliate, I may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.