Bondi to Manly, part 7: North Head to Manly Beach

1. Manly Wharf, East Esplanade~10 min at the stop

Start past the wharf along the esplanade, up the ramp by the timber club buildings and past the giant fig.

Worth knowing: Governor Phillip named Manly in 1788 for the confident, manly bearing of the Aboriginal men he met here.

Tip: Get coffee and water in Manly: the next café, on North Head, is about 4 km away.

↓ walk · 20 min · 1.2 km

2. Little Manly Cove~15 min at the stop

A quiet harbour beach behind Stuart Street, with a shady park, a playground and Little Manly Point. The water is nearly always calm, which makes it a favourite with local families.

Tip: Calm water for a swim with kids. From the end of Stuart Street the track enters the bush through a gate.

↓ walk · 15 min · 0.8 km

3. Collins Beach~10 min at the stop

A small beach in a bush cove; the route crosses the sand and climbs stone steps.

Tip: Next comes the climb up Collins Beach Road by the Australian Institute of Police Management gates: keep to the edge, carefully.

↓ walk · 40 min · 2.4 km

4. North Head Sanctuary~30 min at the stop

Across the old barracks parade ground and past the Third Quarantine Cemetery to the North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre.

Worth knowing: The North Head Quarantine Station received ships from the 1830s until 1984.

Tip: Toilets at the visitor centre and in the Barracks Precinct, plus the Bella Vista café with harbour views. Volunteers run the visitor centre, so it isn't always open. Scenic Drive gates open 5am to 8:30pm from 4 October 2026 to 4 April 2027. Fox baits are laid on the headland until 31 January 2027: touch nothing.

↓ walk · 25 min · 1.5 km

5. Fairfax Lookout~30 min at the stop

Along the Memorial Walk and the Fairfax Track loop to the cliff above the harbour mouth. Almost the whole route from Bondi is in view.

Tip: The best whale-watching spot on the route. Bluefish Point, Old Man's Hat, Cannae Point and Quarantine Head are closed after fire damage and rock instability, so keep to the marked track.

↓ walk · 50 min · 3 km

6. Shelly Beach~50 min at the stop

Over the Hanging Swamp on grated paths, past the barracks and down the Bluefish track to Shelly Beach in the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.

Worth knowing: Cabbage Tree Bay is a no-take marine reserve.

Tip: Calm water and Sydney's best easy snorkel. The Boathouse on the beach is open daily 7:00 to 15:00, no bookings.

↓ walk · 8 min · 0.5 km

7. Fairy Bower rock pool~20 min at the stop

A free triangular 20 m rock pool on Marine Parade. Bronze figures by Helen Leete, Oceanides, stand on its edge, and in a swell the real ocean pours over the wall.

Worth knowing: The bronze figures on the pool edge are Oceanides, a sculpture by Helen Leete.

Tip: It closes on Wednesdays for cleaning, with signs up a day before. In a big swell the waves wash over the wall.

↓ walk · 10 min · 0.6 km

8. Finish: Manly Beach at The Corso~30 min at the stop

The finish of all 80 km, where the pedestrian Corso meets Manly's ocean beach, by the flagpoles and the pines on the promenade. Behind you: Bondi, South Head, the whole harbour and North Head.

Tip: Swim between the flags. The F1 ferry is five minutes back along The Corso.