There are worse places to be stuck in a lockdown than the Northern Beaches, which is bounded by the ocean to the east, and bushland and Cowan Creek to the west. As well as having 145 bushland and wetland reserves (covering 1700ha), the Northern Beaches Council LGA includes Garigal National Park, and a large part of Ku-ring-Chase National Park. The walks listed below are a mix of the best bushwalks in the area, and some lesser-known walks to help you avoid the crowds.

  • All bushwalks below are within (or very close) to the Northern Beaches LGA, but please confirm they comply to the current NSW Health orders based on where you live.
  • For more bushwalking suggestions have a look at the 80+ bushwalks in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Garigal National Park guides

The Bantry Bay Loop is a varied loop, which passes the Bantry Bay Aboriginal engravings next to the Engravings Track. It then descends to Bantry Bay along the Timber Getters Track and returns via the scenic Bluff Track.

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The Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk is a short, easy and popular loop walk that offers sweeping views over the Barrenjoey peninsula, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.

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A short-ish loop bushwalk down the Caleyi Trail in Garigal National Park, returning via the Ya Right and Coopers Blue mountain-bike tracks to form an interesting loop.

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A pleasant loop along Middle Harbour and Carroll Creek from St Ives, returning via the Davidson Track. 

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The Casuarina and Lyrebird Loop is an interesting bushwalk through Garigal National Park. It combines the Casuarina Track, Lyrebird Track and Carroll Creek Track, and has some very nice sections along Middle Harbour and Carrol Creek.

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The Deep Creek Loop bushwalk in the Garigal National Park combines the Slippery Dip Trail and Caleyi Trail with some bushwalking / MTB tracks. Some varied terrain and nice viewpoints over Narrabeen. 

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The Resolute Loop is a great little walk that passes an Aboriginal engraving site, offers great views over Pittwater and provides access to two secluded beaches

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Duffys Wharf Track and the Slades Trail can be combined into a loop; a fantastic little hike that descends to Duffys Wharf on Cowan Creek and back up to Slades Lookout.

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