Manly to the Spit Bridge
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The walk from Manly along Sydney's Harbour blends secluded beaches, rainforest and historical landmarks. It's more than a stroll along Sydney's beauty spots. It's also a 3-hour journey through the harbour's history.
Sail to the starting point on a ferry from Circular Quay to
Manly Wharf The
wharf , the Corso boardwalk and the nearby beach are enough to make you settle here for the day, but don't lose focus - a walk awaits.
Head west along the beach, passing the former site of the Sea Life Sanctuary, closed in 2018 after over 50 years as an aquatic wonderland.
Past Federation Point, Norfolk Island Pines offer shade in
Esplanade Park. The park winds toward steps leading to the quaint
Delwood Beach.
Power over the sand to reach
Kay-Ye-My Point, named for the Aboriginal Kayimai clan living here when Governor Arthur Phillip sailed into view.
When he saw them wading into the water with gifts, he named the area Manly. Track the shoreline to reach
Jilling Cove, another nice spot for photographers, also bearing an original Aboriginal name.
Walk into
North Harbour Reserve where the apex leads you south-east through the 7-hectare
Wellings Reserve and a tranquil waterfall.
You'll share the trees with over 60 bird species, including the showy King-Parrot. Watch their courting rituals, with males sporting red feathers and females in a demure shade of green.
You're now in Balgowlah and
Forty Baskets Beach. The original baskets, filled with fresh fish, were delivered over 130 years ago to soldiers arriving from Sudan. It's an ideal spot to be quarantined, as these men were while they were monitored for typhoid infections. Germophobes don't need to panic. The worst you'll encounter now is a mild sunburn.
Keep going until the turning point just after the small beach at
Reef Bay. In the 1980s, you'd be blushing at the exposed flesh on the former nudist enclave. Visitors now cover up after resident wowsers protested.
As the path edges west, the water will be at your left shoulder when you reach
Sydney Harbour National Park. You'll recognise it by the bright red Banksia flowers and calming scent of Tea Trees.
Enjoy the view from a shaded lookout at
Dobroyd Head, before continuing into an undulating forest which leads to
Crater Valley. The fishing huts were built almost 100 years ago.
Take a sharp south turn into
Grotto Point where the lighthouse, over a century old, still stands tall. For an ancient art gallery, take a detour east to see Aboriginal engravings of local animals, including whales, emus and sharks.
Watch your step as you climb the muscle-burning stairs at
Castle Rock Beach. Catch your breath in
Lexi Beach, peeking across the harbour at Mosman's Wyragine Point.
When your heart has stopped racing, walk on to
Clontarf Point, named after a battle in Dublin where Irish soldiers routed a Viking invasion over 1,000 years ago.
Northward, you'll pass lavish mansions on Monash Crescent. Enjoy the multimillion-dollar views without the eye-watering mortgage repayments.
Mitchell Walk winds past luxury homes on the high banks before reaching a waterfall in another small rainforest –
Fisher Bay. A houseboat has dropped anchor here.
Within the bay, you'll spot your finish line from
Brady's Point, just around the bend.
Success – you've hit the
Spit Bridge, Sydney's Tower Bridge. You can watch sailing ships pass under the raised sections during the scheduled
opening times . Once the bascule decks are lowered, cross over the water for the first time to reach the bus stop. Public transport will carry you up the steep, steep climb.
From the top, you can catch buses back along Military Rd and into North Sydney or onto the city, completing your round-trip.
A popular alternative is to start from the Spit Bridge. You'll see all the same highlights, looking forward to all of Manly's delights at the finish line.
What's your favourite spot on the Walk? We'd love to hear your comments.
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#waterfalls
#walks
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#northern_beaches
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%wnsydney
204649 - 2023-06-16 05:34:39