- Duration
- 9–10 km, about 3–4 h, ~190 m of climbing (≈ 5 h 35 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- Everyone
- Transport
- walk
- Start
- Spit Bridge, north end
- Finish
- Manly Wharf
- Pace
- active day
- Best time
- A weekday morning at low tide: at Clontarf and before Forty Baskets you walk the sand at low tide, and at high tide you paddle or take the stepped bypass. No dogs: it is national park, and fox baits are laid there until January 2027.
- Budget per adult
- free, plus the bus to the Spit and the F1 ferry backPrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026
Getting there
Bus to the Spit Bridge from the city, North Sydney, Chatswood or Manly. Back on the F1 ferry from Manly Wharf to Circular Quay, about 30 minutes, or buses from the wharf.
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
1. Spit Bridge, north end~5 min at the stop
Right after the bridge, the stairs on the left drop to the shore. This is the start of the Manly Scenic Walkway, well signed to Manly.
Tip: This section matches our walk Spit Bridge to Manly, along the harbour. Shade is thin until Clontarf.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 25 min · 1.5 km
2. Clontarf Beach~40 min at the stop
A harbour beach with a netted swimming enclosure, a shady park, barbecues and a playground. It is the last easy bail-out point by bus, so many walkers take a long break here.
Worth knowing: At a picnic here in 1868 Henry James O'Farrell shot at Prince Alfred. It was the first attempt on a royal in Australia.
Tip: Clonny's kiosk is in the reserve behind the sand, with toilets nearby. The last easy bail-out to a bus. At high tide skip the sand and go through the park and Monash Crescent.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 20 min · 1.2 km
3. Castle Rock Beach~15 min at the stop
Stone steps lead from Clontarf into the national park bush down to tiny Castle Rock Beach, tucked between the rocks. From here the trail turns properly bushy: roots, rocks and hardly anyone around.
Tip: If a detour sign is up at Castle Rock, follow it. A calm-day swim, no lifeguards.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 20 min · 1 km
4. Grotto Point~25 min at the stop
A short side trip to the small lighthouse and the Aboriginal engravings on a flat rock beside the track.
Tip: The engravings are easy to miss: look at the rock by the sign and do not step on the lines. The lighthouse path drops down, so it is a climb back.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 30 min · 1.6 km
5. Arabanoo Lookout, Dobroyd Head~15 min at the stop
The high point of the section on Dobroyd Head: views over the harbour mouth, North Head, Middle Head and back to the city. Whales pass between May and November.
Worth knowing: The lookout honours Arabanoo, the Aboriginal man seized at Manly on Governor Phillip's orders at the end of 1788. He died of smallpox in 1789.
Tip: Bring binoculars in whale season. Until 31 January 2027, 1080 fox baits are laid on Dobroyd Head: touch nothing, and dogs are banned anyway. No shade; next comes a descent on a well-worn track.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 30 min · 1.6 km
6. Forty Baskets Beach~30 min at the stop
A cove with a netted pool, a pier and a lawn under the pines, the quiet stop before North Harbour.
Tip: No lifeguards. Before the beach there is a rough stepped high-tide bypass above the waterline. The best picnic stop on the walk.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 25 min · 1.5 km
7. Fairlight Beach~20 min at the stop
Through North Harbour Reserve and along Lauderdale Avenue the foreshore path passes Fairlight and Delwood beaches.
Tip: Fairlight has a small rock pool that suits kids, cleaned in the daytime. The path is flat from here, easy on tired legs.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 15 min · 0.9 km
8. Manly Wharf~20 min at the stop
Along the West Esplanade past the old aquarium building to Manly Wharf with its cafés, bars and ferries. End of part six: the F1 ferry to Circular Quay takes about 30 minutes.
Tip: If you have energy left, the ocean beach is five minutes away along The Corso. But save North Head and Shelly Beach for part 7.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.