5 days | option 1
take in the true beauty of Sydney and its history.
this itinerary has more variation in the distances covered each day.
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 Taronga Zoo | 14.5km
Day 4: Taronga Zoo to Manly Wharf | 21.8km
Day 5: Manly Wharf to Manly Beach | 10.2km
day one : 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. Walking past Indigenous sites and other 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 two : watsons bay wharf to circular quay
20.1km | 301m^ | 4-7 hours
Day Two starts off at Watsons Bay Wharf, where you’ll continue along through to Parsley Bay, Neilson Park and Bottle and Glass Point. Accompanied by stunning Harbour views, you’ll continue walking, through the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, passing 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.
Finishing the day just around the corner at the iconic Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and 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.
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 three : circular quay to taronga zoo
14.5km | 282m^ | 3-5 hours
Starting the day by exploring The Rocks and crossing the Harbour Bridge, 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 passing through Mosman Bay, then arriving at Sirius Cove and, finally, at Taronga Zoo.
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 Taronga Zoo, there are ferries to Circular Quay via Sydney Ferries Route F2. The ferry leaves Taronga Zoo ferry terminal every 20 minutes.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
day four : taronga zoo to manly wharf
21.8km | 214m^ | 5-8 hours
Starting Day 4 off at Taronga Zoo, you’ll continue walking around to Bradleys Head and then on to Georges Head and Middle Head; where you’ll find some of Sydney’s oldest defence systems of gun batteries and tunnels, dating back to the 19th century.
Continuing from Middle Head, you’ll reach Balmoral Oval and Balmoral Beach where you can explore the various historical parts of the popular beach, such as the old tram sheds, the Rotunda and Rocky Point Island.
From Balmoral, you’ll continue on to Parriwi Head and The Spit Bridge, from where you’ll walk through the Fisher Bay Trail which leads to Clontarf Beach and Grotto Point Lighthouse.
Heading back towards Manly, the trail continues along to Dobroyd Head, passing 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. You’ll finish the day here, at Manly Wharf before continuing to North Head tomorrow.
Getting there
Arriving at Taronga Zoo is best done through Sydney Ferries Route F2 from Circular Quay. This ferry service takes you through the north side of Sydney Harbour and departs every 20 minutes.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
Getting back
Buses home from Manly Wharf 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
day five : manly wharf to manly beach
10.2km | 240m^ | 2-3 hours
From Manly Wharf, you will walk up past many small coves and beaches, 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
Transport to Manly Wharf can be accessed through Sydney Ferries Route F1 from Circular Quay, which departs every 30 minutes.
For more information please visit https://transportnsw.info
Buses from North Sydney, the Northern Beaches, Chatswood, Frenchs Forest and the Lower North Shore, can also be used to start the walk at Manly Wharf.
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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