aren

I have read many positive reports on the Spit to Manly walk and wonder if there is a shorter walk, say 3-4 km, that would be recommended? We are planning to take the ferry to Manly, perhaps a bus to Palm Beach, and would appreciate any suggestions for mildly to moderately strenuous walks. And thanks to all for the great suggestions posted on this site.

SusanInToronto

We also took the ferry to Manly and just walked from there. I'm not sure how far we went, but we walked along the water for quite a distance. It was kind of cool because a lot of it was a residential area and I always like checking out houses.

I think it's also possible to walk from from Coogee to Bondi. We were staying in Coogee, didn't do the walk, and I'm not sure how long it would be.

kerikeri

i just did the bus from manly to palm beach and found it to be a large waste of time. palm beach was not as i expected, having read how great it is on this forum. the little old ladies coming from bingo at the rotary hall there were the only other adults i saw. there were like 2 cafes and one shop and an hour wait for the return bus. the main beach over the hill was nothing special if you have been to california or oregon or just about any coastal beach anywhere- you have seen this before. mamnly, on the other hand is charming and you can start by the ferry cross the corso and walk all the way to the heads in one direction, and then do part of the spit walkin the other until you get bored/tired. the town is full of cafes and activities and views whereas palm beach bus ride took forever- at least an hour with the change and the stops and it was so not special.
please don't get me wrong i love australia and its beaches but i would highly suggest any one of the walks in the brochure from the ferry called great walks over bothering with palm beach, which is a large beach but not fronting a town like bondi manly or even cronulla.

Carrabella

There's a short and very pleasant walk from Manly Beach, past the Surf Club House to Fairy Bower - this is probably the one referred to by a previous poster, with homes and sculptures, a free ocean pool and cafes. But if you cross the small beach, and climb the stairs, there is as well, a short, hilly bush-walk to a view point overlooking the ocean.

This is nice, but does not give the views down the harbour to the Bridge etc that the full walk does. If you have transport, go to Dobroyd Point, and walk north or south for as long as you wish.

There is also a pleasant harbourside walk with views from the Zoo. Catch the ferry to the zoo, and turn left. If you turn right and cross the road, the area is more park-like than bushy, and leads to old wartime embattlements.

On a nice sunny winters' day, nothing is nicer than any of these walks. Early spring, the wildflowers are beautiful too.

johhj_au

If you want to "shorten up" the spit to manly walk...
get the ferry to Manly
get a cab from Manly wharf to Dobroyd Point..admire the view then pick up the spit to manly trail to walk to manly.Less than half the distance and all downhill.

The ferry walks booklet (from the ferry info booth at wharf 4 at circular quay) is recommended.

aren

Thanks johnj...that's exactly the info I was hoping for. Carabella's walks sound great too, but I was hoping for harbor views. The path from the zoo is a possibility. Thanks to all.

Neil_Oz

One day, being short of time, we walked from Manly to Balgowlah, where we ducked up to the main drag (only a few blocks) and caught a bus back to Manly.

johhj_au

Aren
I should have added..you can get a good map/guide to the spit /manly walk from the Sydney Harbour National Park office at Cadman's cottage in the rocks.Check out their guided tours to harbour islands as well.

The cottage is quite close to the sydney visitors centre and the nsw national parks shop ...both also worth a visit early in your trip.

aren

Thanks Neil and johnj. We're off to the airport in an hour to start our journey, but I couldn't leave without one last "hit" of this message board. I am addicted! We'll be in Sydney August 5-8, probably on Manly walk on the 7th. If you're in the neighborhood, I'd love to meet you. Also staying at lord nelson hotel, if you'd like an ale. Thanks for all your help.

Peteralan

This may be too late but you could consider the Bondi to Coogee walk along the cliffs or part of it .Bondi to Clovelly for example I think takes about an hour.Have fun!

alice13

Alternative to Spit-Manly (wonderful though it is and the best time of the year now, too) is to take a bus to Watsons Bay (422 I think). Get off just after Rose Bay at the top of the hill by a monstrous, but quite attractive building, that is a private girls' school called Kincoppel I think. Take path to your left and walk about 2km. Takes you to Nielsen Park from where you can get a bus to Watsons Bay for the ferry back to town (but check timetable as not very frequent) or same bus you came on back citywards. Fantastic walk - wonderful views. THERE IS a brochure - Hermitage Foreshore - obtainable from the Sydney Harbour NP office at Cadman's Cottage at Circular Quay.

Bondi to Bronte is shorter than Bondi to Coogee - bus connex both ends. So many great walks to do.

Happy trails.