4 days | option 1
perfect FOR THOSE WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF FITNESS AND WANT TO enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Day 1: Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay Wharf | 13.4km
Day 2: Watsons Bay Wharf to Circular Quay | 20.1km
Day 3: Circular Quay to Spit Bridge | 26.5km
Day 4: Spit Bridge to Manly Beach | 20km
DAY 1 : Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay Wharf
13.4KM | 387M^ | 3-5 HOURS
Starting at Bondi Beach, you walk up the coast along the South Head of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, taking in Indigenous sites and heritage and historical landmarks such as Macquarie Lighthouse and the Wreck of Dunbar. After passing Sydney’s infamous The Gap, you’ll reach Hornby Lighthouse at the tip of South Head, before looping around to Watsons Bay Wharf.
Getting there
The only way to get to Bondi Beach on public transport is via Sydney Buses. There are buses from Bondi Junction train station to Bondi Beach at Stand A (Route 333) and Stand B (Route 380), which run, on average, every 10-15 minutes during the day.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
Getting back
From Watsons Bay Wharf there are ferries to Circular Quay via the Sydney Ferry Route F4. The ferries depart every 30 minutes.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
Day 2 : watsons bay wharf to Circular Quay
20.1km | 301m^ | 5-8 hours
Day 2 starts at Watsons Bay Wharf, where you’ll continue through to Parsley Bay, Neilson Park and Bottle and Glass Point. Accompanied by stunning Harbour views, you’ll keep walking, through the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, passing the many historical cottages, reserves, small beaches and bays.
The Walk continues along the coastline, stopping off at beautiful viewpoints, before reaching The Domain, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Farm Cove and the Royal Botanic Gardens; all Heritage parts of Sydney. You’ll end up just around the corner at the iconic Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay, accompanied by views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Getting there
To start off the second day at Watsons Bay Wharf, Sydney Ferries Route F4 runs from Circular Quay every 30 minutes, and is the easiest way to access Watsons Bay Wharf. Alternatively busses are available and come from Central Sydney.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
Getting back
From Circular Quay, there are many ways to get home via Sydney Transport. Ferries to the Lower North Shore, Manly, Eastern Suburbs and the Inner West are easily accessible. There are also trains from Circular Quay train station which link up to the City Circle line, where connecting trains and buses to the rest of Sydney can be accessed.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
day 3 : Circular Quay to Spit bridge
26.5km | 496m^ | 6-9 hours
Start the day off by exploring The Rocks and then crossing the Harbour Bridge, where you’ll be able to see parts of where you’ve been and where you’re going. From here, you’ll explore parts of Kirribilli, such as Admiralty House, Kirribilli House and Sub Base Platypus, before continuing through to Neutral Bay, where May Gibbs’ Nutcote house is located.
Continuing to Cremorne Point Reserve, you’ll pass one of Sydney’s impressive seawater pools - MacCallum Pool. Robertson Lighthouse marks the end of Cremorne Point, which boasts magnificent views of Sydney Harbour and is the perfect spot for a scenic picnic/lunch break.
Following the trail, you’ll find yourself at Taronga Zoo and then on to Bradleys Head, Georges Head and Middle Head; here you’ll find some of Sydney’s oldest defence systems of gun batteries and tunnels, dating back to the 19th century.
After a jam packed day, you’ll reach Balmoral Beach where you can explore the various historical parts of this popular beach, such as the old tram sheds, the Rotunda and Rocky Point Island.
Just further up from Balmoral Beach is Chinamans Beach and Parriwi Lighthouse, which is situated upon Parriwi Head. Finally finishing the long day at the Spit Bridge, where you can enjoy views of Middle Harbour and the Spit Bridge Marinas.
Getting there
To start the day off at Circular Quay, Sydney Transport provides many ways to arrive at one of Sydney’s most accessible points. Sydney Trains, Buses and Ferries are widely available in order to access Circular Quay.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
Getting back
From the Spit Bridge, there are buses, via Sydney Buses, to the City (Wynyard station), North Sydney (North Sydney station), Chatswood (Chatswood station), the Northern Beaches and Manly (Manly Wharf). These buses run, on average, every 20 minutes and connect to stations and wharves to link passengers to other destinations via Sydney Trains/Ferries.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
day 4 : Spit bridge to manly beach
20km | 428m^ | 4-7 hours
Starting at the Spit Bridge, you’ll continue to Fisher Bay Trail which leads to Clontarf Beach and Grotto Point Lighthouse. Along the way, be on the lookout for Aboriginal Rock Engravings and Shell Middens.
Heading back towards Manly, the trail continues along to Dobroyd Head, passing more Indigenous Australian Rock Engravings and Heritage Sites. Along this part of the walk there are many viewpoints, such as Arabanoo Lookout, Reef Bay and Delwood Beach, all of which have glistening views of Middle Harbour and Sydney’s Headlands.
Continuing to Manly Wharf, you’ll pass Federation Point, Manly Walkway of Olympians and Manly Cove. From Manly Wharf, you walk up to the historic Quarantine Station at North Head, where North Head Sanctuary, The Barracks, Memorial Walk and Gun Emplacement Tunnels are located.
Following on from North Head, you’ll reach the quaint Shelly Beach, renowned for its small shells which make up a large portion of the sand. From here, it's a short walk to the finish, passing Fairy Bower Seawater Pool and Manly Surf Life Saving Club, and eventually ending at Manly Beach.
Getting there
To start the walk at the Spit Bridge, Sydney Buses provides many routes from the City (Wynyard station), North Sydney (North Sydney station), Chatswood (Chatswood station), the Northern Beaches and Manly (Manly wharf), which pass through the Spit Bridge bus stops.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
Getting back
Buses home from Manly Beach operate from Manly Wharf/West Esplanade, Stand A, B, C and D. Buses also depart from Manly Wharf/Belgrave Street, Stand E, F and G.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
For a more scenic route to the City (Circular Quay), the Manly Ferry (F1) departs from Manly Wharf every 30 minutes and takes 30 minutes to reach Circular Quay, where buses and trains connect.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
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