Spit Bridge to Manly, Sydney

Start: Spit Bridge (regular busses from Sydney CBD)
End: Manly Beach (regular ferry back to Circular Quay)
Time taken: 3 hours
USP: Great views of the city and beautiful calm beaches
Distance: 10km round trip

Google map of the start

This is a very well known and very scenic Sydney walk. Ask anyone what the must do walks in Sydney are and you will either get the ‘Bondi to Coogee Coast Path’ or ‘Spit to Manly’.

Actually, you will probably be recommended ‘Manly to Spit’. Starting on the outside of the harbour and heading inland around the inside of the harbour where you finish at Spit Bridge and catch a bus back to the city. But the insider tip is to go the other way. Catch a bus from the city centre out to Spit Bridge and start there. That way when you finish your walk in Manly you can grab a beer in a roof top bar overlooking the ocean, before hopping on the ferry back to the CBD. Much more civilised!

The walk itself is all easy going, mostly paved and only moderately undulating. It winds its way around the northern shore of Sydney Harbour. Cutting through housing estates, parkland and native bush. At some points you could be forgiven for thinking you were miles from civilisation.

The first 15 minutes or so runs past a large park area with a small restaurant and food kiosk. If you don’t have your own packed lunch this is a good place to grab a snack. Unless you take a detour, the next food options are in Manly, although canteens can be refilled from numerous taps along the route.

If you head out in the warmer months definitely pack your swimmers and a towel. Some of the harbour beaches you pass are incredible. Turquoise, shallow water laps at golden sand beaches and rocky coves. Not a single wave in sight. A great solution for the people put off swimming by the rougher, outside harbour beaches.

The whole walk is around 10km. While it might not be the wildest or remotest, it’s a great solution when you only have half a day or want to show off the neighborhood to visiting friends and family. An abundance of bird life and a several different species of lizard still help to give the authentic aussie experience.