Manly Scenic Walkway

unearth Sydney Harbour's hot spots and hidden treasures

written by:Melanie Ball

On sunny days, SydneyHarbour lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s most spectacular harbours.
But you don’t need a million-dollar income to enjoy the million-dollar views. You can watch the pleasure boats and green-and-yellow commuter ferries, the swimmers and stick-chasing dogs, from the Manly Scenic Walkway.

Linking the Spit Bridge, at Seaforth, and the world-famous beach suburb of Manly this track hugs 9.5km of serpentine shoreline. Commonly called the Spit Bridge-to-Manly walk, it loops around rocky inlets crowded with yachts and out onto sandstone bluffs offering views through Sydney Heads. It meanders from rainforest pockets to golden beaches between up-market suburbs. And it ventures deep into Sydney Harbour National Park, an unexpected treat given the cost of waterfront real estate. Here joggers up their heart rates among candle-like orange banksia and hot pink fuchsia heath.

For a great day out, bus to Spit Bridge and walk to Manly. There, tuck into fish and chips at the ocean beach. Then board a late afternoon ferry and catch a silhouetted Sydney Harbour Bridge as you approach Circular Quay.