Where To Go Kayaking In Sydney Australia

You’ve climbed the bridge, walked along the harbourfront and filled your camera with sunset snaps. Now, it’s time to see Sydney from yet another gorgeous angle: by hitting the water in a kayak. Read on for some local tips on where to paddle to see the best of the city’s waterways.

1. Sydney Harbour

Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark

You can paddle Sydney Harbour’s yacht-dotted waters solo or opt for a guided tour with Sydney by Kayak – its best one starts before dawn. The early start time (an eye-watering 5am) allows you to avoid the many tourist boats, meaning you can catch the water in a rare still moment, reflecting the sun rising over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Still feeling bleary-eyed? Swallow down the offered antidote – a hot coffee, which is kept warm by the built-in cup holders in each boat. Recommended by local insider Angharad Jones

2. Narrabeen Lagoon

Natural Feature

With silky waters rimmed with flossy trees, photogenic Narrabeen Lagoon doesn’t have a bad angle. It’s best viewed from a single or double kayak that you can hire from ProKayaks, which also provides some advice about the unmissable spots on the lake. Alternatively, if you’re no stranger to a roof rack, bring your own set of paddles and spend a tranquil afternoon exploring these beautiful shores. Recommended by local insider Angharad Jones

3. Rose Bay

Natural Feature

Rose Bay in Sydneys Eastern Suburbs in New South Wales, Australia, with Vaucluse seen in the background.

Kayaking in Sydney Harbour can be a busy affair thanks to the huge number of tourists who take to its waters every day. Rose Bay is a little farther outside the watery central business district (CBD), and as a result, it’s much quieter. However, what it lacks in boat traffic, it more than makes up for in cityscape views. It’s also a well-placed springboard to explore Sydney’s lesser-known harbours and islands, such as the rugged shores of Milk Beach and tiny tree-tufted Shark Island. Recommended by local insider Susanna Smith

5. Pittwater

Natural Feature

view of Pittwater from Palm beach Sydney,new south wales,australia

This aquatic playground is just 55 minutes north of Sydney’s CBD. There’s more to it than beautiful beaches, although soap opera fans will recognise the shores of Palm Beach as the filming location for Home and Away. The Ku-ring-gai people are the traditional owners of this land, and you can learn about their history by joining one of the kayak tours offered by Pittwater Kayak Tours. You’ll paddle across Pittwater to one of its more secluded beaches before tramping through the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on a guided bush walk with staggering views over the headlands. Recommended by local insider Susanna Smith

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.