Long Reef Coastal Walk

Long Reef Coastal Walk

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Posted 2014-12-03 by Seafarrwide follow
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Sydney's coastline is full of spectacular scenic walks and being a lover of the outdoors, any spare time I get will be spent walking either through the bush or along the coast. Long Reef is one of my favourite areas to walk due to the fact I can take my dogs with me for a run in Griffith Park which is a leash free dog park before I set off for a brisk partial bush and coastal walk. Griffith park is situated in Collaroy just off Pittwater Road turning left into Anzac Road if heading north. There is free parking outside the Collaroy Tennis Club .



This is a perfect spot to let the dogs run free and socialise with other dogs. There is a tap for water, dog bins and also a couple of park benches to sit on if you wish to take it easy. If you have children with you there is also an enclosed playground for them to enjoy. I love the open space and the stunning views over Long Reef Golf Course




After around 20 minutes the dogs seem to know it is time to take on the walk so off we head to the entrance of the pathway that goes through the bush and around the edge of Long Reef Golf Course. The start of the walk is well paved in cement that goes through the bush at the back of Long Reef Beach car park then up out along the edges of Long Reef Golf Course to a dirt path.





As you walk along you will not only see the stunning golf course but to your right is the ocean view and at certain times of year you will see whales and dolphins enjoying the waves. If you enjoy taking photos you will find plenty of opportunities to capture nature's beauty surrounding you.



I love the stretch of beach right at the base of the headland. It is so majestic and beautiful with very little people around. You can take some truly stunning photos anytime of year.



So many angles to take photos and if the tide is out you can walk around the bottom of Long Reef Headland over the rocks and come back up to the tip of the headland look out. But if you have your dogs with you then stick to the path way above as there are hefty fines if you are caught on the beach with your dogs.



As you head up the hill you can sit half way on a bench and have a rest or keep going and pause half way up looking back at the spectacular stretch of beach down to Dee Why.



[SECTION]Long Reef Headland Lookout[/SECTION]

The best part is yet to come and the upward stretch can make you puff somewhat if you do a brisk walk. As you near the peak you sense it will be worth your effort.



You can look for miles in either direction. A favourite spot for visitors and locals alike to sit and contemplate the view or take some beautiful photos of family and friends against the stunning backdrop of ocean.



Always something to see whether it be people welcoming the new day or doing more active pursuits such as hang gliding.



It is a great spot to sit and rest and there is a working water bubbler available for a drink. This is also a great location to view whales. From April through to mid August the Humpback Whales are heading North to give birth in the Coral Sea and will regularly surface. Then later from August to December you will get Humpbacks heading South to return to their Antarctic feeding ground. Sometimes the mothers and newborn calves will be seen closer to the shoreline around December.

Even when a storm is brewing you can still enjoy the view. The changing light and clouds reflecting in the ocean below is breathtaking.




The pathway moves forward through the coastal bush land on the edges of Long Reef Golf Course. This has been recently lined with more concrete paving making it easier to walk no matter what the weather condition.




[SECTION]Fisherman's Beach [/SECTION]

Eventually the path comes out at the top of the road leading down to another beach. This beautiful inlet is called Fisherman's Beach, a popular spot for Fishermen since the 18th Century.



Over near the boat ramp you can often watch fishermen gutting their fish. They gain quite an audience, feathered friends as well. In this photo you can see how brazen the pelicans are.



When I took these photos I had my feet on my two dogs leads to hold them still. As you can imagine it was quite a challenge. Then as I started clicking I noticed a black furry animal chasing them off. Then realised it was one of my dogs. I couldn't really get angry considering what a huge temptation, fish guts and pelicans were!



After Fisherman's beach you can continue along the sand to Collaroy Beach and even further to Narrabeen depending how energetic you are. Then either walk back the same way or bus back. I find the walk quite refreshing and also a slight workout which in turn gets my appetite going so I walk back along the road from Fisherman's Beach past the Long Reef Golf Club which is also a great spot to have lunch or breakfast if you prefer or keep walking to Outpost Espresso a small cafe serving Campos Coffee which is just towards the corner of Pittwater Road and Anzac Road. You can either sit there and enjoy a coffee and snack or head back across the road to your car.

This walk takes me around an hour as I like to stop and take photos and just enjoy the views. It always makes my day feel special and no matter what is bothering me, it is soon forgotten, as I feel so grateful to be able to enjoy the beautiful Northern Beaches.

#beaches
#collaroy
#dog_friendly
#free
#new_south_wales
#northern_beaches
#parks
#swimming
#sydney
#things_to_see
#walks
#whale_watching
%wnsydney
191960 - 2023-06-16 03:39:36

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