Sydney's top 5 cycling routes

Centennial Parklands

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The classic, the one, the only. The Centennial Parklands are the perfect place for cruising with a picnic blanket in tow. With over 189 hectares of wide-open green space, ponds, forests and even golfing greens, you can enjoy something new each time you pop by. The parklands are made up of three parks, Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park and are hugely popular with cyclists of all kinds, especially with families as it’s easy to park the car and get the little ones out and on the move!

Split by ANZAC Parade, providing easy car, bus and light rail transport options, the parks are all linked by winding bridges that are a joy to ride up and down as they weave and curve above the six lanes of traffic below, dropping you off at the doorstep of hip Surry Hills, shopping havens in Bondi Junction and Alexandria, and the coastal suburb of Randwick.

Manly Beach

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Tackle your own triathlon if you dare down in Manly, where you can run, cycle and swim across protected ocean reserves, national park and through the heart of Manly’s shopping precinct. Simply hop on the famed Manly ferry from Sydney Harbour (right by our YHA Sydney Harbour, which has secure bike storage for you!) and ride right down the Steyne and to the beach bike path.

It’s a shared path with pedestrians, so you’ll need to keep an eye on those around you, but with stunning views from Manly to Cabbage Bay and all the way to North Head, you won’t mind riding a little slower to soak up every moment.

Cooks River

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One of Sydney’s oldest bike trails, you can follow the Cooks River all the way from Ryde to the sea. Start wherever you’d like and follow the 30km winding trail all the way through Ryde to Botany Bay, passing Rhodes, heading through the beautiful Bicentennial Park in Homebush, and wrapping up in Kyeemagh. Passing through some of Sydney’s oldest suburbs and close to plenty of delish food and coffee spots, you’ll want to dedicate a day to meander down this slow and steady ride!

The best bit? Nearly all of the trail is within close proximity to train stations, so you can catch the train home if you’re not up for the return trip.

Sydney to Pittwater

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Up for a challenge? The sizeable trip to Pittwater from Sydney's CBD will take you up and down the winding hills and dips of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where you’ll brave the infamous Spit Road, the Bilgola Bends, and cruise downhill to the stunning reserves and bays of Pittwater.

This route is popular on weekends, so you’ll find yourself in good company while you huff and puff up the plentiful uphills. With up to 60km of cycling each way, might we recommend you crash at YHA Pittwater Eco before you head back? Rest up, my friend, you've more than likely earned it!

Narrabeen Lagoon

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Another Northern Beaches gem, the Narrabeen lagoon loop won’t leave you quite as knackered as the Pittwater odyssey, and is the perfect spot for a leisurely cruise on two wheels. A 16km loop, or 8.6km one way, you can plan your trip to start or finish at the many cafes and restaurants on Pittwater Road – because everyone deserves a treat after a big ride. This track is adored by the locals, and you’ll find families with prams, fur babies and kayaks on your way – so be prepared for a bit of stop-start if you’re there on a Saturday morning.
 

Once you've ticked off our top 5, why not try a few more... 

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Keen to keep it close to the city? Sydney Park and the famous Bay Run are two bike-friendly loops are two options within a 15min drive from the CBD, close to YHA Sydney Central and easily accessible by train and light rail.

The Bay run is the perfect excuse to stay close to the water, and see both ANZAC Bridge and the Harbour Bridge from Sydney’s hip Inner West suburbs. If you're a dog lover, make sure to head to Sydney Park in the afternoon for a gentle pedal – this off-leash park is filled to the brim with good boys and girls who love to say hello to passersby.

If you’re heading out of town, why not give the Narrowneck Trail a go? A short ride from Katoomba Station and YHA Blue Mountains (Katoomba), Narrowneck has certainly earned its name, with parts of the path so slim you’ll feel like you’re cycling in the clouds, especially on a foggy day! You’ll still find some changes to the landscape since the 2019-20 bushfires, but with fluffy trees quickly growing back and stunning views of the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary, it’s worth the train ride out of town!