“The Bondi to Manly Walk is a bucket list item.
We’ve compiled a complete guide on how best to do it, featuring all the top coffee, food, swim spots and places to stay. No excuses”
Read the full article here .
READ THE ARTICLE | Sydney Harbour in NSW
“It’s the jewel in the city’s crown, drawing visitors to gaze at it, dive under it and paddle its waves. But even locals can experience it anew by following a walking trail that links Sydney’s two most famous beaches, Bondi and Manly, as Rob MacFarland discovers.”
Read Sydney Harbour in New South Wales here.
READ THE ARTICLE | Take a walk on the wild side
"Most great city walks draw walkers away from metropolitan areas and into the wild; I’m thinking Cape Town, Hong Kong, Los Angeles.
The magic power of the Bondi to Manly is that it never leaves the city yet weaves between the developed and natural worlds, between humans and animals, sea and earth, sunlight and shade, from new to old to ancient."
Wonderful article by Kendall Hill, published in The Australian about the Bondi to Manly Walk.
NOT TO BE MISSED | Don Ritchie Grove
“Always remember the power of a simple smile, a helping hand, a listening ear, and a kind word.”
- Don Ritchie
The Don Ritchie Grove was established in memory of Don Ritchie OAM who officially rescued 160 people over 45 years at the Gap in Watsons Bay.
Don Ritchie lived close to The Gap and was known to invite people into his home for a cup of tea if they looked to be in a time of trouble.
In 2011, he received the Local Hero Awards from the National Australia Day Council who said: “His kind words and invitations into his home in times of trouble have made an enormous difference… with such simple actions, Don has saved an extraordinary number of lives.”
A beautiful green pocket has been set aside in memory of the Angel of the Gap which you’ll pass on the first leg of the Walk from Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay.
Whale Watching | Your guide to the best spots on the Harbour
Whale watching season is upon us. The winter solstice, June 21 is the best time to look out for the giants of the sea so make sure to keep one of those June weekends free!
Below are our 8 favourite spots along the Walk to spend a day with your eyes on the horizon.
8. North Bondi Golf Course, Bondi
Set up a picnic on the rocky clifftop of the Golf Course and while you’re there, admire some of the most significant and spectacular Aboriginal rock engravings at the site.
7. Raleigh, Rodney and Weonga Reserve, Dover Heights
This one beautiful connected clifftop park. There’s the idyllic seat perched overlooking the sea at the Southern end in Raleigh Reserve, the huge dog friendly expanses and a playground for the kids at the northern end of Weonga Reserve.
6. Eastern Reserve, Dover Heights
Recently landscaped, Eastern Reserve is a small hidden ribbon of green perched high above the cliffs with sensational views as you search for the largest animal that ever lived.
5. Diamond Bay Reserve
Mobility friendly with parking on Chris Bang Crescent, this is a beautiful spot with equally beautiful views of the ocean. Definitely worth a family adventure!
4. Gap Park, Watsons Bay
Gap Park normally needs no introduction but we will say, if you’re lucky, whales have been known to come quite close to the The Gap as they pass us by heading North.
3. South Head
With 270 degree views of the water all around, there’s no doubting that South Head is one of the best whale spotting locations in Sydney - especially if the whales decide to come in to the Harbour. Park in Watsons Bay and access for South Head is a 3km loop.
2. Fairfax Lookout, North Head
While the Fairfax lookout is currently closed while they fix the fencing from the fires last year, it would be remiss of us not to mention it for any future whale watchers hoping to spot a whales spout.
1. Shelly Head Lookout
Another mobility friendly one, and a cruisy walk from Manly. Follow the foreshore walk from Manly to Shelly then take the stairs (or the little driveway) up to Bower Street carpark. From here you’ll see a series of beautiful lookouts overhanging the cliffs. A great spot for whale, dolphin or even sharks and penguin watching ;)
All the points listed have been identified on this map.
Enjoy!
Gap Park | New Pathway
We’re excited to share that Woollahra Council will begin construction of a new pathway along the Gap Park historic tramway route on 17 May 2021.
Over 5 weeks, they will transform the existing bush track that follows the route of the former tram line to improve access and safety.
While the pathway isn’t on the Bondi to Manly Walk specifically, it’s a great alternative route to follow if you get tired of those endless coastal views ;)
We’re very excited to see this new pathway come to life.
North Head | Have your say
Both the Harbour Trust and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services have presented conceptual plans for the betterment of North Head and North Head Sanctuary.
National Parks and Wildlife Service have presented a plan which extends the open space, improves parking and accessibility at the scenic area close to the Bella Vista Cafe. The Plan also proposes new pedestrian pathways which would take walkers off the road and connect in the spectacular Fairfax Walk.
View the plans here and have you say until May 17.
Harbour Trust have presented a concept Plan with two distinct focus areas at the North Fort Precinct, which is the big grass and carpark area behind the Information Centre, and the Artillery Barracks Precinct which is the area and buildings surround the Parade Ground.
View the plans here and have your say on their survey until June 11.
How long does it take to walk from Bondi to Manly?
Such a simple question.
But the answer is another question: How long do you have?
The Bondi to Manly Walk is 80km of spectacular harbour walking. It’s a green ribbon of adventure hugging the foreshore of the biggest city in Australia.
Walking it might be a two day adventure for the ultra fit, but making the most of this incredible Sydney experience, that’s another adventure altogether.
For most, walking the Bondi to Manly is a 4 day walk. At 20km/day, it’s about 5 hours of walking/day, giving you enough time to soak it all in, stop at cafés and swim at isolated beaches on your way.
If you’re looking at the Walk as a way to weave together the quintessential Sydney experience, then you might want to give some extra time.
Aim for 10-15km each day and rent a kayak at Watsons Bay to watch the sun set behind the Harbour Bridge, do an Aboriginal Heritage tour in The Rocks or explore one of the many art galleries,. You could even book in to go whale watching one morning or see a show at the Sydney Opera House one evening! Visit Nutcote Cottage in Neutral Bay and Taronga Zoo in Mosman then book in for a massage and spa in Manly before watching the sunset at one of the great restaurants perched over the water.
Great restaurants and cafés are dotted all around the Harbour, fuelling the thriving buzz of people that make up this fine city. Go explore, sit down, watch as each local community shows its own personality.
In summary, you can do it quickly if that’s your adventure or you can take as long as you like to enjoy the Walk and the city it celebrates.
Crater Cove Fishermans Huts | Secret Spot of Sydney
When walking from the Spit to Manly, if you look down from the highest point at Dobroyd Head, you may have noticed these tiny little huts, embedded in the sandstone cliffs.
While it’s not the easiest path to access the huts, it’s well worth the effort if you’re physically able.
The path is rough, climbing up, down and scaling along rocks frequently. Keep your eyes on your footing and please don’t attempt it if you’re unsure. The path can also get very muddy after heavy rains.
If you’re approaching from Spit, after you’ve looked down from the highest point and began the descent down the steep stairs, through the narrow sandstone steps that hug a huge boulder, keep following the stairs down until the path flattens off completely for 50+ metres. At this point, there’s a junction in the path.
The path on your left will take you along Beaty Street Track to Beaty Street.
The path straight ahead will take you along the main path to Manly.
The path on your right - while hidden a little bit - will take you to the Huts and Crater Cove.
If it’s been raining, the path will look like a river (photo from when they hazard reduction burned a couple of years back included below). Get your feet wet and muddy - or come back when it’s sunny!
It’s around 400m to the huts but because it’s uneven, it takes longer than you’d expect.
Enjoy and please be respectful of the huts and people who manage them! They’re another great hidden bit of Sydney’s heritage that we should celebrate and preserve.
Can you spot the huts hidden in the sandstone?
Embedded in the rock face, copping all the weather
The ‘path’ aka river after a heavy rain. This photo was taken right after the Hazard reduction burns a couple of years ago. It’s green, lush and much harder to find now.
6 OF SYDNEY'S SECRET SPOTS
No-one will ever truly know all there is to know about Sydney.
Every area has its own stories, its own hidden gems, its own bustling community.
Here are a few of our favourites for you to explore.
Aboriginal Rock Engravings, Bondi Golf Course
To see some of the most important Aboriginal rock engravings found in Sydney, look no further than the North Bondi Golf Course. Yep, that’s right. In the middle of the Golf Course, perched close to the cliff edge, is a sight of spectacular Aboriginal heritage. It’s a site that’s definitely worth visiting!
Visit the site here, or as part of the Walk from Bondi to Watsons Bay (without the 3.4km loop around South Head) here.
Viewfinder, Lighthouse Reserve
Multi-award winning sculpture Viewfinder has been installed in Lighthouse Reserve, Vaucluse.
Created by Sydney artist, Joel Adler, the 8.5 tonne sculpture provides spectacular and otherwise unseen views of the cliffs and crashing waves directly below.
Visit the site on the Bondi to Watsons Bay 10km walk, cutting out the 3.4km loop around South Head here.
Mary Booth Reserve, North Sydney
Spectacular views are waiting and some secret doors to be discovered.
Visit this part of the Walk in North Sydney by walking across the Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay and walking as far as your legs carry you.
There are so many wharves and ferries around to take you back to the city at different intervals.
Grotto Point Lighthouse
Designed in 1910, this active beacon lights the way across the scenic northern waters of Sydney Harbour National Park.
The Lighthouse is a short detour off the B2M, on the Spit to Manly Walk roughly 100m before the Grotto Point Aboriginal rock engravings.
View the detour here.
Rope Swing, Wellings Reserve
Hidden just off the pathway, on the Harbour side of Gourlay Avenue between Forty Baskets Beach and North Harbour Reserve is a rope swing.
Now we don’t know the durability of such a swing, nor do we encourage its use, but we do know it’s there and can be easily found by the public.
Again, we’ve included it on our detours map as a little red line South of North Harbour Reserve on the Spit to Manly Walk.
Good luck travellers!
Crater Cove Fishermans Huts
The secret’s out. The Crater Cove huts aren’t easily accessible and there are some rocks to jump over and balance down - a similar experience to walking the Spit to Manly Walk.
The path is a little bit hidden so we’ve written detailed directions here.
NOT TO BE MISSED : DR MARY BOOTH LOOKOUT
Dr. Mary Booth OBE was born in Sydney in 1869.
After briefly studying at the University of Melbourne in 1894, a legacy from her grandfather gave her the financial independence to leave for Scotland where she enrolled at the College of Medicine for Women, University of Edinburgh. She graduated in 1899 and returned to Sydney and established a medical practice despite considerable opposition from the conservative profession. Surprisingly she never worked in an Australian hospital though she went on to guide and advise many, founding the Women’s Club in 1901 and becoming the vice president of the National Council of Women in New South Wales. She lectured in hygiene for the Department of Public Education from 1904-09 and then was employed to establish the first school of medical service in Victoria by the State Department.
She went on to support and advocate for the war efforts and domestic problems raised by World War I, promoted and protected the Anzac tradition through the Anzac Fellowship for Women, an ardent advocate of increased immigration and after the war she worked on Town Planning in NSW, advising the royal commission on the basic wage that young families could happily be brought up in if the flat was designed with proper space for children. Her last major initiative in 1936 was to found the Memorial College of Household Arts and Science on land adjoining her home in Kirribilli which in 1961 funded the establishment of the Dr Mary Booth Scholarship for women economics students at the University of Sydney.
It was for her public activity in relation to feminist and health education causes that she came to be recognised as a leader.
It is due to her efforts opposing redevelopment in the 1940’s and advocating for the foreshore reservation to be set aside, while rallying a community of people behind her, that this part of our Harbour foreshore is public parkland today.
North Head Sanctuary Recovery Update 8/3/21
Behind the fencing at North Head, the native plants are regenerating.
Photos of native plants regenerating after the fire (Lee De Gail/DPIE) Provided by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services
It can take 12-18 months for most plant species to regenerate following a fire so NPWS are working hard to control rabbit numbers and weeds to help provide the best possible environment as the bush returns.
It’s important that we walkers and runners stick to the walking tracks during this regeneration period to provide the best possible environment for the landscape to return.
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust have established the North Head Sanctuary Bushfire Recovery Advisory Group which is made up of community members, Aboriginal advisors, local elected representatives, government and consultants. The Group is already looking at coordinating efforts to support the recovery.
If you visit North Head, please stay out of burnt areas to give our seedlings the best chance at coming back.
To read more, please visit the NPWS website here.
What's your vision for the B2M?
UPDATE: Middle Head & Georges Head Master Plan
Great news - works have begun on the Sydney Harbour National Park at Middle Head!
A $10million investment, announced in 2020, is now being put to use.
The project will see the revitalisation of numerous dilapidated buildings, the protection and conservation of many important cultural and historic sites, improved accessibility and a new 3km walkway along the foreshore which will be a game changer for the Bondi to Manly Walk.
Check out the existing route below in orange, compared to the proposed new route in pink which create a vastly improved experience with so much more foreshore walking.
We can’t wait to see this project come to life and experience the new walkway which will open up a previously unused and inaccessible section of National Park right on the doorstep of 5 million Sydneysiders.
The project will take some time to execute so we’ll keep you updated as it unfolds.
Existing
New
14 PICNIC SPOTS FOR FEB 14
Or any other day of the year
V-Day is just around the corner and these glorious picnic spots are calling your name.
Pack a picnic, or grab some delicious goodies from the amazing local cafés dotted around Sydney Harbour and spread the love!
South Head
So many great spots around South Head and Hornby Lighthouse here.
The ultimate picnic experience. Grab a ferry to Watsons Bay, do the great little 3.5km loop up around the Gap and South Head then get the ferry home - we’re not sure it gets better than this!
Bottle & Glass Point, Nielsen Park
At the Northern Point of the park here. Venture off the beaten path to find some beautiful hidden spots on the waters edge.
Grab a ferry to Watsons Bay, walk across Parsley Bay Bridge (everyone’s favourite insta photo spot) then venture to Bottle & Glass Point for a picnic before meandering along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, taking a couple of dips in the Harbour along the way. Finish off at Rose Bay Wharf with a cocktail then jump on the ferry back to Circular Quay. V-Day - sorted!
McKell Park, Darling Point
A real hidden gem - McKell Park has incredible views and is accessible by Darling Point Wharf. Find it here.
If you’re not into taking a walk on V-Day, this is your best pick. Jump on a ferry from Circular Quay straight to Darling Point Wharf and back - winning!
Yarranabbee Park
Easily accessible with parking nearby and Darling Point wharf not too far away, this is the perfect picnic spot to enjoy with friends.
Group this in with a walk from Darling Point Wharf to Circular Quay (~8km), maybe a cheeky wine at Opera Bar and you’ve got the whole afternoon planned.
While you’re here, grab a poached chicken sandwich and a fresh coconut from Navy Bear Café - delicious!!
Find it here.
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
This spot speaks for itself. If you want to incorporate a walk - jump on a ferry to Darling Point then walk the ~8km to Circular Quay, stopping in The Royal Botanic Garden for your picnic with a view.
Find the spot here.
Cremorne Point Reserve
Beautiful views every direction.
Park at Reid Park, grab a coffee and a treat from Archie Bear café then walk the spectacular 3km loop around Cremorne Point.
Alternatively, jump on a ferry to Neutral Bay Wharf and walk a few km’s to Mosman Bay Wharf or Taronga Zoo Wharf, stopping for your picnic at one of the many beautiful spots on route.
Here it is.
Bradleys Head Amphitheatre
This spot can’t be missed. It’s made for picnics and sunsets with friends and family. Find it here.
The easiest way to take public transport to this one is with a ferry to Taronga Zoo Wharf. It’s an out and back walk, but a beautiful one with a great end point!
Balmoral Beach
Giant fig trees sitting on the beachfront providing shade all summer long. Check it out here.
Balmoral Beach is a little harder to access via public transport so we’re pitching a morning adventure - get out there early. Take a ferry to Taronga Zoo Wharf then walk 10km to Balmoral Beach for lunch. It’s one of the best sections of the B2M - you won’t regret it!
From Balmoral you can get a couple of buses home, or walk to Spit Bridge and take one of the many buses available back to the city from there.
Rosherville Reserve
Think huge green spaces, giant angophoras, a cricket set and a bunch of friends. This is the spot.
In the middle of Balmoral Beach and Spit Bridge, this giant green park is a real hidden gem in Sydney. Better yet - all this amazing green space is right next to an amazing beach! Loop this in with the walk from Taronga Zoo or you could do an out and back from Spit Bridge if you didnt feel like walking too far.
Fairlight Beach
The headland on the Eastern end of Fairlight Beach catches those last rays of sunshine, perfect for the end of a long walk. Or if you head down in the middle of the day, it’s one of the best swim spots on the Walk.
Why not try out the Manly Spit Walk and finish up with a picnic at Fairlight? If you don’t feel like the long trek - take the ferry to Manly then walk the ~1.5km to the beach and back. Enjoy!
North Head, Manly
For those long distant views back across the Harbour, North Head is the spot for you. While the Fairfax lookout and walk is closed, the picnic spot in front of the Bella Vista Cafe is amazing. Find it here.
8 Short walks we love
There’s no better way to spend a long weekend in Sydney than walking around the Harbour.
Grab some mates and make a day of it!
Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay
10km | 3hrs
Highlights: Spectacular clifftop walking
Best time: Sunrise
South Head Loop from The Gap to Watsons Bay Wharf (starting and finishing at Watsons Bay Wharf)
5.5km | 1.5hrs
Highlights: views, views and more views
Best time: sunset - with a picnic
Watsons Bay Wharf to Rose Bay Wharf
11km | 3hrs
Highlights: Parsley Bay, Shark & Milk Beach
Best time: Anytime that allows you to swim - the beaches are ace
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair to Milsons Point
6km | 2hrs
Highlights: Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge - a bucket list item in itself!
Best time: Anytime - great option for a hot day with a lot of shade coverage
Taronga Zoo to The Spit
12km | 4hrs
Highlights: Red gum forests & scenic military fortifications
Best time: Anytime - great option for a hot day with a lot of shade coverage
The Spit to Manly
10km | 3-4hrs
Highlights: Spectacular walk, beaches and iconic views out of the Heads
Best time: Anytime - great option for a hot day with a lot of shade coverage
The Spit to Grotto Point Lighthouse (return)
6.6km (3.3km each way) | 2hrs
Highlights: Castle Rock Beach & Grotto Point Lighthouse
Best time: Anytime - great option for a hot day with a lot of shade coverage
Manly Wharf to Manly Beach (excluding North Head closures)
7km | 2hrs
Highlights: Bush walking with views over the Harbour and Coast
Best time: Avoid the heat of the day if you can!
DPIE Public Space Ideas Competition
Last year we made a submission to the DPIE Public Space Ideas Competition for a new clifftop walking track adjacent to HMAS Watson which would connect the trail between The Gap and the South Head Heritage Trail.
This would open up an extraordinarily beautiful part of Sydney, transforming an area which has been closed for generations.
While our submission was not awarded one of the top projects, we will continue to advocate for this unparalleled walking experience.
You can read our submission here.
MOBILITY FRIENDLY WALKS, SYDNEY
If you’re looking for a fun day out that’s mobility and/or pram friendly, here are a couple of great suggestions.
Pack a picnic and make the most of these short walks.
1. The Big Ticket Item - The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House & The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney | 3km
Take a ferry or train to Circular Quay then walk to the Sydney Opera House to enter the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney at the Opera House Gate.
Do a huge loop around the Gardens, exploring the Palace Rose Garden and Pavilion, The Sydney Fernery, perhaps stopping for a morning coffee at the Palm Grove Centre Restaurant and Café.
Continue along the Macquarie Wall and Spring Walk, to the Bicentenary Garden, turning left after the Australian native Plant Border to follow the foreshore to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
Loop around Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and you’re now following the B2M along the foreshore walkway back to, and around, the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).
With the current closures of Dawes Point Battery and walkway, we recommend immediately after the MCA to turn left up Argyle Street, crossing George Street then turning right on Playfair Street, passing through the historic centre of The Rocks which hosts The Rocks Markets on weekends.
At the T intersection where Playfair Street meets George Street, turn left and follow George Street past the café’s until it meets Lower Fort Street.
At this point, turn left onto Lower Fort Street then immediately turn left again onto Cumberland Street. Continue along Cumberland Street until you see the lift up to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Sydney Harbour Bridge for roughly 20 minutes until you reach the Northern end, then take the lift down to Broughton Street.
Follow the B2M signage down Broughton Street, across Bradfield Park and down to Milsons Point where you can take a ferry back to Circular Quay or make you way back up to Milsons Point Train Station.
2. The roads less travelled - 3 great walks to explore starting and finishing in Manly
Arriving into Manly Wharf, there are 3 main shorter walks you could do individually or combine them all together for one much longer walk.
Option 1 | 2km each way
Walk for 2km along the Manly to Spit walkway, passing Delwood and Fairlight Beaches. You could even stop in at Fairlight Pool for a dip! Turn around shortly after passing Manly Boatshed where the path meets Lauderdale Avenue. At this point there’s a beautiful grassy hill and bench seat overlooking North Harbour Reserve. Great spot for a picnic!
Option 2 | 1.6km each way
Back at Manly Wharf, this time take a right out of the Wharf and follow the foreshore along East Manly Cove Beach. Take the accessible ramp up to East Esplanade then follow the road around and along Stuart Street. Stay on Stuart Street until you reach Little Manly Beach where you can stop at the café for an ice cream or snack. Return to continue on Stuart Street until you reach the entry on your right to Little Manly Point. Take the path out to loop around Little Manly Point Park which will bring you back onto Stuart Street to retrace your steps back to Manly Wharf.
Option 3 | 1.8km each way
The one we all know about because, let’s be honest, it’s astoundingly beautiful and easy as punch. When you leave the Wharf, go down the Manly Corso until it reaches Manly Beach. Take a right and follow the beachfront walkway past South Manly Beach and along Marine Parade towards Shelly. Stop at The Bower Café and restaurant for a bite to eat or continue on to Shelly Beach where The Boathouse welcomes you for an ice block or lunch. From here, you could follow the road up and onto Bower Street where there are a couple of spectacular viewpoints overlooking the ocean - perfect for whale, dolphin, penguin or even shark spotting! Again, loop around to retrace your steps back to Manly and enjoy the views looking North at all the beaches along the coastline.
The routes outlined above are included on the map below, in dark blue.
DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this map, Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage alleged to be suffered by anyone as a result of the publication of this map, or as a result of the user or misuse of the information provided herein. Feedback and recommended corrections are welcomed.
Dreamtime Story of the Aboriginal Whale Symbol, as told by Ray Ingrey
This wonderful Dreamtime Story of buriburi - the whale, was told by Ray Ingrey, Deputy Chairperson of the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, at the launch of the Bondi to Manly Walk Aboriginal Whale Symbol.
“Our people talked about a land in the far distance to the east, a long time ago where our very very old people lived. They spoke of buriburi, gunaagan having a fight, and guriwala who rode and rode.
The story I’m going to share with you relates to our ontology. It gives spiritual reasoning to why there are certain features in our local environment, and why some of our animals, like the buriburi, are the way they are, and why they have human characteristics.
This story was told to us when we were young, by our senior women. It was told to them in the early 1900’s by people who lived under full kinship law.
A long time ago, our people lived to the far distant east, which we call ngarawan.
They lived in human form, but the area they lived in was quite barren. The people knew that if they didn’t leave the area they would perish.
They had small canoes and they knew they couldn't make the journey West, and the only fella with a big enough barangga or vessel, was buriburi but he was a greedy fella.
And he wouldn’t share .
So one evening the people got together and said to gunaagan, who was buriburi’s good friend, “You need to distract him while we take his barangga.”
One morning gunaggan said to buriburi, who was a big man with dreadlocks, “buriburi come over here and let me look for some lice in your hair.”
Buriburi pulled his barangga up to the shallow waters, tied it to a rock nearby and sat down and let gunaagan search through his hair.
Buriburi would look at it (the barangga) then lay back down, then look at it, then lay back down. And when he was comfortable, he asked gunaagan “Is my barangga alright?” and gunaaga would tap it with two pieces of stick and say, ”Yes I’m tapping it, can you hear it?”
The people jumped in the barangga and started rowing off.
As they reached the far distance, just before they were out of sight, for some buriburi jumped up. Seeing that his barangga was stolen, he got into a rage (he had a short temper), and he had a fight with gunaagan.
Gunaagan, being a little fella, grabbed one of the sticks and stabbed a hole in the top of his head.
Buriburi picked him up and slammed him on to a rock, splattering him out, where gunaagan fell into the shallow water.
Buriburi jumped into the water and started swimming after his barangga. The stick dislodged and blood started pouring out, but he kept swimming.
The pursuit lasted a couple of days and the people in the barangga were getting tired and they started to give up. Buriburi was gaining on them.
So a little man named guriwala said ‘Let me row. I’ll get us there, look at my strong arms” and he started rowing.
At this point, the blood that was coming out of the top of buriburi’s head, started turning into salt water and he started growing fins and a tail.
And everytime he would come up, he was so angry that he would spurt salt water out of the top of his head.
The row lasted for another day and finally the people spotted land. And the little skinny fella, galu, started dancing. He was a dancer and he’d get excited but he started growing feathers and a beak and he made two holes in the barangga.
They reached land, this time in animal form, and got out. They pushed the barangga out a little bit from the beach and it turned upside down. It turned into gangmanggang, which is known as Windang Island down on the Lake Illawarra.
Guriwala, ashamed, because in the journey he started growing fur and a black nose and funny ears, climbed to the nearest tree crying where he hugged it, and, exhausted from rowing, went to sleep.
Gunaagan, poor fella, in the shallow water turned into a starfish, where he and his ancestors remain today.
Galu, continues to dance when he gets excited, and buriburi and his ancestors continue to travel up and down the coast, looking for their barangga.
Our old people said, we know where buriburi and his ancestors have been because of the islands that are made in our country.
Islands in Sydney Harbour, like Clarke Island, Botany Bay and Shoalhaven, were made by buriburi. Thinking that they found their barangga, they went around it, made it deeper, then realised it wasn’t theirs and off they’d go again, spurting water out the top of their heads.
Stories like this allow us to understand the world through our metaphysical lens. For us, knowledge is abstract and theoretical. We’re able to apply spiritual reasoning as a matter of logic, spiritual reasoning is therefore logic for us.
So one of our significant spirit ancestors is the buriburi. That’s why you’ll find, in our country, a lot of rock engravings like this one which relates to buriburi - our spirit ancestor. “
Sydney's Best Harbour Pools and Ocean Baths
If swimming in the ocean gives you the chills, Sydney is the place for you.
With the best ocean baths and ocean pools anywhere in the world, there’s always somewhere spectacular to take a dip.
Many people don’t know that a lot of Sydney’s ocean pools were built during the Great Depression as a way to boost the economy and drive funding in to impactful local infrastructure developments. Something we can all be grateful for!
Build these in to your Walk, or just make sure to pack your swimmers because you never know when you’ll stumble across a beautiful spot to swim.
Fairy Bower Pool, Manly
The subject of thousands of photos every year - Fairy Bower is on the final stretch between Shelly Beach and Manly, a cool way to finish a long walk.
Little Manly Cove
With views across the Harbour, it’s the perfect spot for a dip before hitting the final 9km of the Walk.
Manly Harbourside Pool
Next to the old aquarium on the harbour side of Manly is the huge Manly Cove ocean pool. Stunning at all times of the day, but especially good for a sunset dip
Fairlight Pool
Fairlight Pool is a stunner. Kid friendly with plenty of rock pools to splash around, Fairlight Pool is one for the whole family to enjoy. Found at the end of the Spit to Manly Walk, it won’t disappoint.
Forty Baskets
2.5km from Manly amidst the very popular Spit to Manly Walkway, this stunning ocean pool has just been rebuilt with a great pontoon, ready for summer.
McCallum Ocean Pool, Cremorne Point
Spectacular views and sunsets from this glorious ocean pool, perched on Cremorne Point, looking back at the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay
Anywhere that has a wharf wrapping around the pool, and a floating pontoon is always going to be a ball of fun! Pack that with a great cafe and only a short walk from the Double Bay ferry, and you have yourself a day out.
Shark Beach, Bottle and Glass Point
Cutest little cafe and picnic spot on this gorgeous harbour beach. Check out that crystal clear water!
Parsley Bay, Vaucluse
Most people don’t realise there’s a huge shark net protecting the entire Bay at Parsley Bay. With crystal clear water and rarely any waves, it’s an absolute gem on a hot summers day.
Bondi Icebergs Ocean Pool
There is no better way to start the day - or watch one of Sydney’s spectacular ocean sunrises than down at Bondi Icebergs Pool. Add that to the fact that it’s one of the most iconic spots in Sydney, and you have all the excuses you need to jump in!
