Might you be the type that goes somewhere new and ends up only seeing the designated and well known tourist sites? There is, of course, nothing wrong with that , as it is actually a pretty good way to get acquainted with a place. But it’s also nice to experience the natural perspective; to get to know the origins of a place and see how it was, even before development. Sydney, the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, is a superb place to do this, and all by using public transport to boot. Sydney is surrounded by incredible and historic National Parks, and wonderful walking trails right around the gorgeous harbour. You can spend 2 weeks hiking around Sydney and surrounds and not need a car to get to any of them.

Start in Sydney’s south at the Royal National Park, the 2nd oldest national park in the world, after Yellowstone. On Sunday’s you can take the train to Loftus station and then get a tram right into the park. It’s a short walk from the tram to the visitor’s centre, where maps and information about trails are provided.

There are 3-4 wonderful trails that lead right out from the visitor’s centre and take you along differing and beautiful vistas. Some of the views are breathtaking and at the same time let you imagine a Sydney before high-rises and a sprawling suburbia.

Some trails are challenging, but there is something for everyone and you can spot many native animals in their natural habitat (just steps from the visitor’s centre we spotted a Lyre bird, several rainbow lorikeets and rosellas, white cockatoos as well as the more rare black variety). It is quite calming listening to all the sounds of the bush and to know that in one hour you can be back in the city centre and be shopping in some of the best stores and eating in the best restaurants. Available too are hire boats to row on the lake, picnic areas and a place to buy a meat pie, should all that walking make you hungry for some good Aussie tucker.

You can also get a train north of the city to Mt. Kuringah Chase National Park and walk to the trail from the local train station (we also saw several birds there and a very tame Kookaburra that came right up to us). Although rare, you should always be wary of snakes and spiders, but all the trails are well defined and often used.

It’s also good to know the Harbour foreshore and most beaches now have wonderful walking trails as well. You can walk from Darling Harbour, around The Rocks and Circular Quay and around to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and Darlinghurst along one trail and take the ferry to Taronga Zoo on the other side and walk still another trail there.

Or you can catch the ferry to Manly and get information at their visitor’s centre about several hikes in that area, including one to North Head.

The beaches on the south side of the city also have long walks that can take you past several other beaches. There is a famous one that starts at Bondi beach (accessible by bus and train) and goes south past several famous beaches with spectacular views. It even passes a famous and surprisingly impressive cemetery on the cliffs.

A train to Kogarah, a bus to Sans Souci and a walk along the coast of Botany Bay for several miles will take you to Rockdale and beyond.

Another can’t miss beach is Cronulla in the city’s south. It isn’t as well known as Bondi or Manly but many like it better and say it’s more beautiful. Take the train right there and walk south past more gorgeous beaches like Shelly Beach. From Cronulla, catch a ferry to Bundeena. There are several miles of trails there that go past breathtaking beaches, through incredible bush land, along awesome cliffs and even past Aboriginal rock carvings. You get the point. Along most of these walks you experience the incredible natural beauty of Sydney, see beautiful and unique wildlife, experience Australia’s rich history and get an amazing workout, all for the price of a bus, train or ferry ticket.

If you are willing to venture 2-3 hours out of the city you can visit the Blue Mountains National Park. There you take a train and then a local bus drops you off at the trail heads. You can spend all day walking the different trails here, taking in the truly delicious views, including the famous three sisters rock formation. Consider staying in Katoomba overnight and exploring more of the park the next day.

Everything is very easy to get to and there is ample information at visitor’s centres, tourist information centres or even the airport or hotels. Of course the Internet is a good way to print out trail and park maps or even bus and rail schedules.

So you can’t limit yourself in Sydney even if you wanted to. Sydney’s natural wonders are just as rewarding, enjoyable and accessible as are its traditional attractions. Happy hiking.