2.4 km
The Harbour Bridge deck
One and a half kilometres of pedestrian walkway 50 m above the water, on the eastern side.
-33.8523, 151.2108Sydney, Australia
Sydney Harbour Loop
The classic tourist run
Every Sydney postcard in one loop — the Opera House, Circular Quay, Barangaroo and across the Harbour Bridge to Milsons Point and back. Extend it with harbourside detours for 14–16 km.
- Distance
- 10.19 km
- Elevation
- 74 m
- Time
- 60–75 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Type
- Loop
HarbourUrbanBeginner FriendlySunriseModerate
Route map
Every stop, mapped
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StartFinishWaterToiletsTransportCafeBeachLookoutLandmark Photo stop
Route timeline
Kilometre by kilometre
0 km
Opera House
Start on the forecourt and run around Circular Quay.
1.6 km
The Rocks
Climb the stairs to the bridge walkway.
2.4 km
Harbour Bridge
Across the deck to Milsons Point.
4.2 km
Lavender Bay
Down past Luna Park and around the bay.
5 km
Blues Point
Turn and head back over the bridge.
7.2 km
Opera House
Finish where you started.
Route highlights
The parts you'll remember
4.2 km
Lavender Bay
Wharves, boatsheds and Wendy's Secret Garden tumbling down the hillside.
-33.8478, 151.20755 km
Blues Point Reserve
A grassy point directly opposite the Opera House — the best free view in Sydney.
-33.8462, 151.2043Photo stops
Where to stop and shoot
Harbour Bridge walkway
Opera House, ferries and the whole harbour beneath the steel arch.
- Best time
- Sunrise, before the tourists
- Photography tip
- Shoot through the girders on the eastern walkway to frame the Opera House.
- GPS
- -33.8523, 151.2108
Blues Point Reserve
Bridge and Opera House together, with the city behind them.
- Best time
- Sunset and blue hour
- Photography tip
- Wait 20 minutes after sunset — the city lights and the sky balance perfectly.
- GPS
- -33.8462, 151.2043
Local knowledge
Before you go
- Best time to run
- Sunrise — the bridge walkway is empty and the light on the Opera House is unbeatable.
- Sunrise
- 6:00am summer / 6:50am winter.
- Sunset
- Blues Point Reserve, looking east; the whole loop is lit and safe after dark.
- Parking
- Don't drive. If you must, The Rocks car park is the closest.
- Public transport
- Train or ferry to Circular Quay; Milsons Point station is on the loop.
- Water
- Bubblers at Circular Quay, Milsons Point and Blues Point.
- Toilets
- Circular Quay, Milsons Point and Blues Point Reserve.
Safety
Busy footpaths — expect tourists on the bridge from 8am. Stay on the eastern walkway.
Getting there
- • Circular Quay station & ferries
- • Milsons Point station
1 water point · 1 toilet stop on route
Local tip
Finish with a swim at North Sydney Olympic Pool, right under the bridge at Milsons Point.
- Ripples Milsons Point — Waterfront breakfast under the bridge.
- North Sydney Olympic Pool — Harbourside 50 m pool at the halfway point.
Route pack
Download the Sydney Harbour Loop pack
The GPX file plus everything on this page, ready for your watch and your pocket.
- GPX file
- Route map
- Route summary
- Elevation profile
- Route highlights
- Photo-stop guide
- Public transport info
- Local recommendations