With no less than 37 national parks, reserves and state recreation areas to choose from, Sydney can rightly be described as a modern urban playground.
Don't believe the purists when they tell you that the 'real bush' doesn't begin until you get into the Blue Mountains - Sydney has enough open spaces to keep most people happy for several years.
Whether you want to go fishing, bushwalking, mountain biking or just relax with a Sunday picnic, you'll find the ideal spot close at hand. Indeed, many of Sydney's finest parks are less than an hour's drive from the CBD.
There are a number of national parks - including Ku-ring-gai Chase, Lane Cove, Garigal and Botany Bay - literally on Sydney's doorstep. Others, such as the Royal National Park, are a little further afield.
Once you leave the harbour foreshore, Lane Cove National Park, which extends from North Ryde to Wahroonga, is perhaps the most easily accessible recreation area.
A popular weekend retreat for picnickers, Lane Cove is widely used by locals for bushwalking, biking and jogging. There are also row boats for hire, but park authorities advise against swimming in the river.
Garigal National Park, also on the north shore, is popular with fishing and bushwalking enthusiasts. This surprisingly large park occupies a stunning piece of foreshore around Middle Harbour and is crisscrossed by many walking tracks. There are toilets and tables at Davidson Picnic Area. Park fees apply on weekends.
Botany Bay National Park, in Sydney's south, is enjoying a new lease of life. The area has long been a magnet for weekend visitors keen to see the birthplace of modern Australia. It is now attracting serious bushwalkers wanting to explore the park's unique combination of cultural and natural attractions.
The 10 km walk from Captain Cook's Landing Place to Cape Baily Lighthouse, offers a stunning array of historic landmarks, heath, dunes and remarkable vegetation. There are good picnic spots at Yenna Gap and near the visitor's centre.
Keep going south and you'll find the Royal National Park (Australia's oldest designated national park, and perhaps its most undervalued.) Established in 1879, the huge park manages to combine wild coastal scenery, heath, old growth forest and more manicured barbecue areas for daytrippers.
The four-hour walk from Otford to Burning Palms is a great summer walk. If you're lucky, the beach will be deserted, but don't forget to take your lunch. The park has numerous walking trails similar to this, but for something really challenging try the 26 km coastal walk from Bundeena to Otford (or vice versa). Allow two days.
For more accessible swimming areas, try Wattamolla or Garie beaches. The little settlement of Bundeena has excellent camping facilities. Serious bushwalkers should also try out Heathcote National Park, which is just across the road. Unlike the Royal National Park there are no roads into this park and trail bikes are banned. Catch the train to Waterfall or Heathcote.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, on the city's north shore, is another popular beauty spot. Bordered on three sides by water (the Hawkesbury River, Cowan Creek and Pittwater) this park welcomes cyclists and horseriders, and is great for day-tripping boaters, picnickers and history buffs. For bushwalkers the park offers pleasant, but largely undemanding walking possibilities. Ideal for an afternoon ramble.
Those interested in Aboriginal engravings and rock art should try the 3.5km Garigal Aboriginal Heritage Walk which begins at West Head. This walk also provides stunning views across Pittwater to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
Picnickers should head for The Basin, a sheltered area with a sandy beach and inland lagoon. There is a regular ferry service from Palm Beach.
A little further afield (near Wiseman's Ferry, in fact) is the equally popular Dharug National Park. Its rugged cliffs and gullies conceal a treasure trove of Aboriginal rock art. Cyclists, walkers and horseriders can explore the convict built Old Great North Road. Round the day off with a visit to the historic village of St Albans.
Though somewhat blighted by urban development, the area between Sydney and Gosford also harbours some very pleasant bushwalking country and is ideal for weekend camping. Both the Brisbane Waters National Park and Bouddi National Park are worth visiting.
Bouddi is one of the state's smallest national parks, but also one its most delightful. Situated at the northern mouth of Broken Bay, it is a magnet for bushwalkers and campers alike. All camp sites need to be booked through the National Parks office in Gosford.
For a gentle introduction to Bouddi try the 6km Maitland Bay to Putty Beach Walk. The walk offers great views of Putty Beach, Box Head Peninsula, Barrenjoey Head and Lion Island - and should take only half a day. The track is well signposted.
NSW National Parks can be closed at times of bushfire and bushfire danger. It is advisable to check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you set off. Either phone 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600 or visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has a short boardwalk that you can do with young children to introduce them to bushwalking. If you continue your walk off the boardwalk there are some great examples of aboriginal rock art.
Lisa, Cherrybrook
Botany Bay National Park is good to visit if you don't have long to explore our parks system. It has an excellent combination of historic landmarks (such as Captain Cook's first landing spot), Aboriginal sites, lovely views out to sea and a series of relaxing walks.
Eddie, Botany
4WD
