Move over Bondi to Bronte – if you’re looking to beat the crowds in favour of COVID-safe bushwalks this summer, you’ll find some of the best trails just an hour west of the coast in Sydney’s biggest backyard.
Unknown to a lot of greater Sydney, there are 60kms of tracks and trails to explore without the crowds of the coastal walks throughout Western Sydney Parklands. These stunning bushwalks are some of Sydney’s hidden treasures, winding through wetlands, fields of wildflowers, and bush tracks with kangaroos, wallabies, and lots of birds to spot along the way.
The parklands are also home to some of Sydney’s biggest tourist attractions including the new Sydney Zoo, Sydney Motorsport Park, and Raging Waters Sydney which have joined forces to encourage Sydneysiders to ‘Stay and Play’ with a series of summer budget-friendly deals.
2020 has seen a number of challenges for the parklands and its tourism partners following the bushfires that restricted many outdoor activities last summer, and COVID-19 which has more broadly impacted the region’s events calendar. With so much on offer, the parklands is now encouraging Sydneysiders to take advantage of the offers available this summer and enjoy the region.
Ditch the masses walking the beaches this summer and complete your 10,000/a day on some of Western Sydney Parklands’ best bushwalks:
- Pimelea Loop (1.6km), a gentle track for all, connects Lizard Log and The Dairy and boasts fields of beautiful bluebells which bloom after the rain. Pick up some fresh produce grown nearby at the Horsley Park Urban Farms or drop by Café Saluti by Novella nearby for a mid-walk coffee.
- Test yourself on the Moonrise Loop, a challenging 6.2km walk that takes in many of Western Sydney Parkland’s greatest sights. Spot a kangaroo or wallaby, enjoy the spectacular bird watching, and for a sweeping view of Sydney, ascend to Moonrise Lookout.
- The 3km Spotted Gums Loop is one for the bushwalking lovers as you traverse the fire trail near the Cecil Hills area of the parklands and take in the spectacular bushland scenery.
- Stroll Western Sydney Parklands’ rolling countryside on the Bungarribee Trail. The 4-6km walk takes you through wetlands teaming with birdlife and grasslands abundant with native wildflowers and kangaroos and wallabies. Head over to award-winning Bungarribee Park afterwards for an epic kids’ playground, BBQ, and toilet facilities.
- For a different view of the bush, head up into the canopy at TreeTops, just off Cowpasture Road. Thrill-seekers can enjoy an exhilarating ride on the world’s fastest rollercoaster zipline or take on self-guided treetop ropes courses with more than 100 rope ladders, wobbly bridges, tunnels, cargo-nets and zip lines to test you