Five local lockdown walks without the crowds

Lockdowns are difficult for many in our community, but if there’s a silver lining it’s that people are safely heading outdoors to enjoy the natural environment.

Outdoor exercise with fewer than 10 people is one of the NSW Government’s four essential reasons to leave the house during the latest Covid-19 stay-at-home order, so as long as we keep our 1.5 metre distance, there’s no reason not to get out and about.

However, we have seen that some areas are more popular than others, especially on weekends. So we thought we’d put together this list of local walks where it’s easier to maintain social distancing.

Cooper Park Trail

Cooper Park is the Eastern Suburbs’ hidden gem. With a natural creek flowing through and towering native trees, it feels like you’ve escaped the city and found yourself in a primeval forest. The whole area is criss-crossed by paths, but make sure to check out our Go Slo for a Mo’ Nature Wellness Trail, which features prompts to slow down, breathe and be present.

Christison Park to South Head

Located at the end of Old South Head Road, Vaucluse, Christison Park is perched atop the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect place to start a walk towards South Head. With nice wide paths and plenty of green space to spread out, there’s no reason to get too close to other walkers. On the way you’ll see magnificent views of the city skyline and historic buildings like Macquarie Lighthouse before finishing at picturesque Camp Cove.

Hermitage Foreshore Walk

Maintained by NSW National Parks, the Hermitage Foreshore Walk runs along the harbourfront in Vaucluse from Hermitage Foreshore Reserve to Nielsen Park. Along the way it soaks up some absolutely spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge, as well as glimpses into the grounds of the heritage-listed Strickland House. There’s a nice wide boardwalk most of the way.

Art and culture walk in Double Bay

It’s also possible to get your exercise walking in a more urban setting, so long as you keep a safe distance from others. We’ve put together guides to a number of art, history and culture walks in the local area. The Double Bay version takes you from Ocean Street at Edgecliff all the way down to Blackburn Gardens, with stops to see painted signal boxes, historic plaques and public art like Jenny Green’s Solitude sculpture in Guilfoyle Park.

Art walk in Paddington

While many of Paddington’s galleries are temporarily closed, you can still explore its art and architecture on foot. We’ve put together maps for two self-guided art and culture walks, focusing on the north and south sides of the suburb, though you could always combine them if you’re feeling adventurous. Highlights include the impressive egg swing by Mikala Dwyer in the Royal Hospital for Women Park and the plaque outside artist Margaret Olley’s long-time home on Duxford St.

Download a copy of the Art and Culture Walks guide and discover trails across Paddington, Double Bay, Woollahra and Watsons Bay.

Happy trails!