So I started the new year with Sydney’s best kept secret hike! It was a blue sky sunny day and there was nothing better to do than go find this hidden gem.
I am a solo female traveler from Sydney, Australia. Yes, a Sydney local but I am not here often because usually, I am traveling the world. But when I am home, I make sure to get out and about and visit new places. Glad I finally got to tick off the sea cliff bridge hike which was high on my list since the day I saw it online.
Do you know Seacliff bridge is 665 m and is the second most photographed bridge in Sydney (New South Wales) after Sydney Harbour Bridge? It was opened in 2005 and named after an 11-year-old schoolgirl in a naming competition! sea cliff bridge hike and sea cliff bridge lookout are essentially the same spot and here’s how to get there.
But first, please don’t go the illegal way to the seacliff bridge lookout. I have heard a few other ways to get there like through the train tracks, by the art college and playground, or trespassing private property which is not legal and you could get fine by the police. So, here is the short and the right way to get to the sea cliff bridge lookout.
Sea cliff bridge hike
Contents
1. Where is the sea cliff bridge located?
Sea Cliff Bridge is located about 70km south of the Sydney CBD and 20km north of Wollongong. If you aren’t driving it is possible to catch a train to Scarborough or CoalCliff Station and walk 15 minutes to the end of the bridge.
If you are driving, seacliff bridge lookout park is at the south end in the designated car spaces at the end of the bridge. There are parking spaces on the left of the road where there’s a bend but if it’s full there are two more car parking areas 5 mins ahead. It just means you have to walk a little more but there are also two car spaces right where the entrance is as well.
2. How to find the entrance to the seacliff bridge lookout?
No matter where you park your car or walk from the station towards the end of the bridge and keep an eye out on the right. You should see the Sea Cliff Bridge Sign (see right on the above pic). It is from this sign area that the trail actually starts– don’t blink, or you’ll miss it!
When you see the Seacliff bridge sign, look on your left at the bushes. There is a slight hole in the bush, right where I have made the arrow. Enter here!
Yep, that is the entrance to the seacliff bridge lookout!
I saw this water dragon as I enter that bush hole! It was such a delight to see this unexpected! So yeah keep an eye out for wildlife and get your camera ready!
3. Sea cliff bridge hike – Which path to take
Yep as you go through that hole, get ready to scramble up a little hill about 10 meters and then take right. You might notice another path to the left but if you want to save time, just keep going to the right as the left one is a lot longer.
sea cliff bridge hike is not a big hike, from the entrance to the lookout it took us roughly 10 minutes. If you manage to look away from the ground without slipping, follow the yellow paint on the tree. It works as a guide to help you, but it is pretty much self-explanatory as the path is worn down.
Finally, when you reach the steepest climb there is two garden hose knotted around a tree to act as a rope! Use it to go up and continue 10 meters on your right before you arrive at the seacliff bridge lookout. From that grassy area, you should be seeing the sea cliff bridge below.
This is how you can get to the secret sea cliff bridge lookout to capture the bridge in all its glory.
If you enjoy finding gems like this, read the 31 most instagrammable places in Sydney
After the hike, recommend sea cliff bridge walk or go down to the beach for a dip or a stroll. Below is how to get under sea cliff bridge.
4. How to get under the sea cliff bridge
There is a beach nearby you can go to after this climb. Just keep walking ahead after the bridge (10 more minutes) or drive further away from the end of the bridge. (opposite the train station) The next parking area should be on your left, don’t park there and take a left turn instead (turn is just after the parking). You can park here and the beach is right at the front!
Nearby you can also visit Stanwell Park, Wedding cake, and Figure 8 pools at the Royal National Park. I have put together this secret Sydney walks if you are into some more cool lookouts and hikes.
5. Travel tips for sea cliff bridge hike
1. Please be careful as someone has lost their life sitting at the edge of this viewpoint. If you are going to do it, please be extra careful and stay away from the cliff edge.
2. Another thing worth mentioning is, please wear proper hiking shoes (shoes with grips) and carry a bottle of water. The only reason I wore a dress and a sandal is because I am an experienced hiker/ trekker. If you are not confident, I recommend wearing proper hiking clothes and shoes.
3. The path is not the safest, quite steep in sections and there is not much to hold on to. And even though the climb is only 10 minutes or so, I wouldn’t recommend sunsets climb or taking children up there.
4. There is a wild bush fire going on at the moment, so the haze is there. So perhaps when the situation gets better I’d recommend going early in the morning to catch the sunrise or day hike. 100% worth it!
Happy Hiking!
Let me know in the comments if you
- have any other questions about this secret sea cliff bridge hike
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This entrance looks quite “sketchy” but wow, the view afterwards definitely rewards for the walk!
Your dress is lovely, too 🙂
Wow, that bridge looks amazing! Australia has been on my bucket list for years! Hopefully, the fires get under control soon there! So sad to hear about those.
Yeah it is sad but I wouldnt cancel plans to visit here if its already on the works. There are many areas which are unaffected and beautiful like this one!
Your post has drawn me in and I find the Seacliff Bridge fascinating. going to check it out this weekend, thanks for this guide!
Did you scramble up those paths in that beautiful white dress? Your pictures are lovely and looks like a great place to visit.
haha Yes I did Leslie! And came back with some dirt and spots which luckily went away with hand wash 🙂
The water dragon is so cute..! Thanks for sharing this guide.. I would definitely get my cam ready when I visit here.
Seems like a beautiful place to visit, can’t wait to land in Sydney this week and go here!
My oh my….that’s beauty right there! I can only imagine how it could feel driving or standing close to the sea, from this angle.
The entrance to the trail is easy to miss. Thank you for the tip of where to find it! I would be freaked out by those water dragons though. I am scared of reptiles! Maybe I would let my son go in first so he can rid the trail of anything that might possible scare me. Haha.
As a hiker and travel enthusiast, I am totally enthralled by your post! What a spot to visit. Gorgeous view – and what an awesome spot for a small picnic! Thanks for sharing (and loved the tidbit about the naming of the bridge – great touch!).
It is stunningly beautiful there, a bit like Cape Town, SA.
Wow! Discovering and getting to Seacliff bridge, was indeed a mission but I must stay it was ALL WORTh it! what a beautiful view!
What a gorgeous view but wow, what a trek it is to get there. I love that the trail is so hidden!
This is beautiful location to make pictures. Thanks for the tips x
Why are you so brave? I mean I would just freak out if I would have spotted the water dragon :O
Breathtaking pictures! Loved your post!
Wow. What an amazing location. Glad you posted the photo of the entrance to the lookout. Who’d find that? LOL. The bridge is spectacular. Thanks for posting.
I’d absolutely love to visit this place. The views looks so calming and beautiful.
I’d never heard of Seacliff before, and we visit Sydney once a year on average (live in Queensland) for a break. The view looks breathtaking. I think we’ll have to check this out on our next visit.
Loving your last photos. That is a great scene view of your trip and your cute outfit.
What an amazing place to visit! Quite difficult to find, though, judging by the bushes!
Great photos. It has a nice design. I’d like to see it sometime.
That’s one long and winding road. And the path seems very adventure driven my kind of trip. I hope everything will get better there in Australia.
Seems pretty worth it… like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I would definitely go through this trail when I’m back in Sydney next month.
The Seacliff bridge entrance definitely is a secret! I would love to see this viewpoint.
What a cool place to go and see, thanks for the detailed explanation on how to find it!
I’ve never been to a forest for a long time, the big roots give me creeps but I’m fascinated to them at the same time.
Australia is in our bucket list from very long time. We would love to visit Australia. We really dont know about this bridge I am adding this to my bucket list I will definitely going to visit this place for sure
Wow. That place is a perfect one for photos! I wish they’d do something to make it easier to find. I would surely miss it if I were driving!
Wow, what a beautiful panorama! Thanks for the guide. going there tomorrow!!
What an amazing view! Thanks for the tips and tricks! Hope to visit it soon.
What an incredible view. Thanks for sharing directions on how to get to this spot!
The views are beautiful and the location looks amazing. As long as it is safe t get there and back, I’m all for it.