There's very little in this life for free and this has got to be one of the best of them. A breathtaking walk taking in some of the city's most amazing beaches.

Bring your walking shoes though, it's a good 90 minute walk along the coast so stilettos are not advisable!

Oh, and for accommodation for when you're in Sydney, look no further than www.hostelworld.com. I use it all the time and love it.

Enjoy Sydney.

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In 1789 the lora Aboriginals of Gap Bluff, a tranquil jut of land facing out to the South Pacific Ocean, were devastated by either smallpox or chickenpox. Since then this part of the Sydney Harbour National Park has seen incredible change: the building of Hornby Lighthouse after the wrecking of the Dunbar, the establishment of the Royal Australian Navy Radar School, use of the land as a transit depot for officers serving in Vietnam, and the construction of gun batteries along South Head.

Away from the blustery Gap Bluff, back down the hill and west across the head of the land lies Camp Cove. I walk around South Head, past the nudist Lady Bay and Hornby Lighthouse, before returning to Camp Cove and wandering further south to Watsons Bay.

Camp Cove’s west-facing coast is stunning in its elegance. Spiders on silky sheet-like webs hang between trees. They watch. And these yellow orbs aren’t even dangerous. Think daddy long legs with longer, thicker, yellower legs. I keep a distance in case a gust of wind lifts an orb from the comfort of its web onto the slope of my shoulder.

Boats and yachts sail around the glimmering harbour at Sydney’s regatta. The evening's drawing in but that doesn’t stop countless tourists snapping photos or sharing a cold VB in a ‘stubby’ at the hotel. Children feed the squawking gulls as their grandparents sit back and absorb the sea breeze.

Buses 324 and 325 both go from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. Ask the bus driver where to get off - it's very near the end of the route.

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Some visitors to Sydney would prefer to see the city from the Harbour Bridge for free, along the public walkway, but the Bridgeclimb tour takes you much - MUCH - higher.

The ascent right up to the aviation light, at the apex, is surely as good as an exposure treatment for vertigo as it is for the views. I had forgotten, or put out of mind, my fear of heights, and although much of the climb was, for me, dominated by mortal terror, I also could not ignore the vista.

The view from the top gives you a nice sense of the layout of some of the beaches in Sydney as well as how the whole city gradually expanded outwards from the harbour.

The fainthearted might think twice about the climb, although the organisers have obviously made safety a primary concern.

Bridgeclimb:
5 Cumberland St, The Rocks
61 2 9255 8210

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Take the easy cliff-top walk from Bondi beach to the smaller and more intimate Bronte. The view is beautiful and you get away from the noise and clamour of Bondi.

If you face the Pavilion on Bondi Beach, turn left and follow the path around along the sea front.

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Only an hours train ride from Sydney central, the beautiful Blue Mountains are not to be missed. Take the popular day's walk from Echo Point, Katoomba (known to the aboriginals as "shiny, tumbling water") to see the famous 3 sisters rock formation. The most photographed feature of the national park, the three sisters lookout is often packed out with tourists by the bus load, so venture further down the steep 980 steps and deep into the Leura rainforest where you'll hardly come across a soul.

Weary legs will appreciate the scenic skyway cable car to the top of the gorge at the end of the hike. Alternatively catch a bus to Leura and visit Wentworth Falls. Hike the undercliff/overcliff walk around the enormous cascades and take in the stunning scenery from the cliffs of eucalyptus forest which contribute to the blue haze over the horizon, hence the range's name.

Stay in "No.14" backpackers hostel in Katoomba for a warm welcome and excellent value, cozy place to stay with open fire and clean facilities - just what you need after a sweaty day's trek.

Also plenty of traditional pubs in Katoomba town which have a great village atmosphere on weekends.

100kms west of Sydney, one and a half hours drive along the M4 Freeway or one hour on the train (from platform 12/13, Sydney central station.)
No. 14 backpackers: 14 Lovel Street,
Katoomba, NSW, 2780 Tel:02 - 4782 7104
Official Website: www.australiabluemountains.com.au/

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Bailmain is a suburb west of Darling Harbour, which is full of trendy bars, restaurants and art shops/galleries. The houses are beautiful and the whole area has a relaxing 'Mediterranean' ambiance.

Can be reached by taking the Woolwich/Birkenhead Ferry from Circular Quay to either Thames Street or Darling Street.

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For a beautiful way to spend a day, get yourself to Bondi and then start to walk along the cliffs that line the sea. From the right-hand edge of Bondi beach as you look at the sea, you'll find a path that runs past Tamarama, Bronte, and all the way to Coogee. You can stop along the way for a game of footie, a barbie, a beer or two and, of course, a swim. All the best bits of Sydney and some exercise too.

Bus from Bondi Junction to the beach then start walking!

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Spend more than a day in this amazing place - stay in the YMCA, hike in beautiful surroundings, go canyoning, then have a pint in pub and listen to the Hilltop Hoods on the jukebox. Bliss.

It was about 1 hour on the train from Central Railway Station on a double decker mountain train to Katoomba.

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A well-organised and dizzyingly exciting outing. You don grey jumpsuits, strap yourself onto a wire, then walk out underneath the bridge, up a ladder, along one of the curves to the top of the bridge, across the bridge and back down the opposite curve. From the top you see one of the greatest views in the world. Do the climb at night and see the same view with the lights on. Breathtaking.

The Rocks, Sydney

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Sydney's best harbour foreshore walk is a three-hour hike through ancient bushland and harbourside suburbs along the north shore with frequent views of the water and city. It is a bit of a trek via bus to Spit Bridge and quicker to cough up $30 for a taxi. The finish in Manly is perfect: you can treat yourself to a swim, fish and chips or a cold schooner of Toohey's New (or Old - Sydney's classic beers).

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The first place I take any visitor from out of Sydney - from the dramatic cliff-tops looking out to the Pacific Ocean one way, and back along to the city skyline the other - here are some of the most awe-inspiring views anywhere in the world, certainly within a major city. Also a famous suicide spot, and the location of some high-profile deaths. Afterwards one can walk down to Watson's Bay, soak in the sun with a beer in one hand and a prawn in the other. Beautiful.

Next to Watson's Bay

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Depends how you wake up - hungover or feeling fresh. Either walk or run from Bronte to Bondi north. Grab breakfast at brown sugar and after showering etc ... head to Tamarama beach (if you cannot bodysurf well stay on the beach and play beach volleyball - it can get pretty rough in there).

After an afternoon here, stop by icebergs in Bondi on your way back home for a drink. Make your way down to the botanic gardens to watch the sunset with a picnic dinner. Finally, grab a few mates and get into your car and head up to palm or whale beach for the night. Relax there the whole next day doing whatever you please...

guide books??? google these places...

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Get your walking shoes on for a 10km walk, along unspoilt cliffs and bushland, past little sandy coves where you can stop for a dip, and lose yourself in the coastal Aussie bush while looking out over the harbour. Keep your eyes on the ground and water and the sky. It's easy to forget you're in a modern city of 4 million people. Then climb up over an escarpment and see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the distance. Head there for a well-earned drink afterwards!

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Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Mosman Bay. Turn left from the quay and follow the road round the bay to Mosman Rowing Club. Pass the clubhouse to join a footpath which travels between expensive houses and the bay itself. This continues to Cremorne Point with its expansive views of the harbour. Here you can return by ferry to Circular Quay or continue walking along the path to the ferry at Neutral Bay.

This whole walk is so quiet and peaceful it is unbelievable that a large vibrant city is so close. We finished our walk with an excellent lunch at the restaurant 'Thelma & Louise' next to the quay at Neutral Bay.

Go Walkabout booklet from Sydney Ferries Information Office at Circular Quay.

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