If you’re into hidden harbour beaches and epic coastal views, you’ll love Sydney’s Spit to Manly Walk.
The Spit to Manly Walk is a popular coastal walk on the north side of Sydney Harbour.
The track can be walked in either direction and is approximately 10km point-to-point. It’s a walk you can easily make longer or shorter.
There are opportunities to join or leave the track at various points as the walk hugs the coastline passing Seaforth, Clontarf, Balgowlah, Fairlight, and Manly. The Spit to Manly track is also one section of the 80km Bondi to Manly Walk.
Whether you’re visiting Sydney for the first time or you’re a long-time local, this scenic walk is one of Sydney’s best and is a fantastic way to spend a few hours.
There’s plenty of spots along the way where you can have a dip in the harbour, roll out your picnic rug, or simply pull up stumps and enjoy the view.
| Distance: | 10km |
| Start: | Spit Bridge |
| End: | Manly Wharf |
| Public Transport: | Bus at Spit Bridge Ferry and bus at Manly Wharf |
| Water: | Various throughout the walk |
| Toilets: | Various throughout the walk |
| Top Tip: | Leave plenty of time for all the side tracks to spots including hidden beaches (don’t forget your towel!), a lighthouse, and an Aboriginal rock engraving site. |
Spit to Manly Walk Overview
The Spit to Manly Walk is a 10km point-to-point walk between Spit Bridge and Manly Wharf.
The walk is sometimes referred to as the Manly Scenic Walkway, and you’ll see signs with this name at various points along the track.
The Manly Scenic Walkway track extends beyond the 10km Spit to Manly Walk.
If you’ve walked from Spit Bridge to Manly, to complete the Manly Scenic Walkway, when you get to Manly Wharf you’ll carry on to Manly Beach. You’ll then walk around the coast to Shelly Beach, and up to Fairfax Lookout on North Head (or in reverse if you’re starting at Manly and finishing at Spit Bridge).
If you’re walking with your dog, it’s important to know that parts of the Spit to Manly Walk and the Manly Scenic Walkway are in Sydney Harbour National Park where dogs are not allowed (look out for the signs).
Spit to Manly Walk Map
This map of the Spit to Manly walk shows walking directions from Spit West Reserve to Manly Wharf. The Spit to Manly walk map also charts some of the highlights along the way including Clontarf, Castle Rock Beach, the Aboriginal Rock Engravings at Grotto Point, Forty Baskets Beach, and Fairlight Rock Pool.
Facilities
The Spit to Manly Walk passes a number of popular beaches and harbour reserves which means facilities are easily accessible along the track.
Whether you’re after a cafe to grab lunch, somewhere to fill your drink bottle, or the nearest public toilets, this walking track is one where various amenities are never too far away.
The Spit to Manly Walk is close to a number of cafes and the track passes drinking water fountains, and public toilets at various points along the way.
Cafes
If you’d like to stop for a coffee or bite to eat during your Spit to Manly walk, a great spot to look out for is the Sandy Bar cafe at Clontarf Marina. Just around the coastline into Clontarf Reserve is Bosk restaurant and kiosk too.
Your next opportunity is the Tuckeroo Cafe near North Harbour Reserve. After that you’re on the home stretch into Manly where there are plenty of dining options to celebrate the end of your walk.
Drinking Water
There are drinking water fountains at most of the parks and beaches on the Spit to Manly walk, including at the following locations:
- Clontarf Reserve
- Forty Baskets Beach
- North Harbour Reserve
- Fairlight Beach
- Near Manly Cove Tidal Pool
- The Corso at Manly
If you’re walking the full Manly Scenic Walkway route by continuing beyond Manly Wharf up around North Head via Manly and Shelly beach, you’ll also find drinking water at:
- Shelly Beach
- Fairy Bower
- Manly Beach
Toilets
There are public toilets at most of the parks and beaches on the Spit to Manly walk, including at the following locations:
- Clontarf Reserve
- Tania Park (just off track at Dobroyd Head)
- Reef Beach (under construction as at September 2024)
- Forty Baskets Beach
- North Harbour Reserve
- Fairlight Beach
- Manly Wharf
If you’re walking the full Manly Scenic Walkway route by continuing beyond Manly Wharf up around North Head via Manly and Shelly beach, you’ll also find toilets at:
- East Manly Cove Beach
- North Head
- Shelly Beach
- Fairy Bower
- Manly Beach
How to get to the Spit to Manly Walk
Public Transport
The Spit to Manly Walk is easily accessible by public transport. You can get a bus to the Spit Bridge from central Sydney, and from Manly, you can take the ferry back across the harbour to Circular Quay.
Driving
You could drive to the Spit to Manly Walk, however, given it is a point-to-point track you’d need to do a two car shuffle to travel from your end point back to your start point. Alternatively, you could use public transport to travel from your end point back to wherever you left your car at the start of your walk.
Spit to Manly Walk Highlights
Clontarf
With its marina, beach, and reserve, Clontarf is a popular place to relax and unwind harbourside. At the marina you’ll find Sandy Bar Cafe, it’s dog-friendly and walk-in only, and a great spot to stop for lunch or a snack.
Not far on from the marina is Clontarf Reserve, with lots of shaded space to picnic and rest as well as a playground, toilets, and another cafe. There’s a tidal pool at Clontarf Reserve too if you’re keen for a swim in the harbour.
Castle Rock Beach
This tiny harbourside beach is a beaut spot to pull up for a rest and a swim. Walk down the steep stairs to the sand and find a spot to lay your towel. Popular when the sun’s out, and well worth a stop.
Grotto Point Lighthouse
The track to Grotto Point Lighthouse veers off the main Spit to Manly walk track on the approach to Dobroyd Headland. The track is easy to follow though not as maintained as the main Spit to Manly track, with branches covering the track in some parts (nothing insurmountable). The lighthouse is behind a small white picket fence, perched on the cliff overlooking Sydney Harbour. This lighthouse was constructed in 1910 and is an active beacon today.
Grotto Point Aboriginal Rock Engravings
The track to the Aboriginal Rock Engravings at Grotto Point is marked and easy to spot. The walk to the rock art is on a raised walkway to protect the site. This is a great place to see carvings including fish, boomerangs, and a kangaroo.
Crater Cove Huts
The secluded Crater Cove Huts are perched on the edge of the harbour near Dobroyd Head. The first huts were built by fishermen in the 1920s, with additional huts built over the next few decades. Later this area became part of Sydney Harbour National Park and while efforts to have the huts demolished were unsuccessful, during the 1980s, those who occupied the huts were evicted. You can learn more about the history of the huts here.
Dobroyd Headland
Get a glimpse of where you’re headed from the vantage points at Dobroyd Head lookout and nearby Arabanoo lookout. Watch the ferries come and go before continuing on your way.
Reef Beach
The tiny Reef Beach is a scenic harbourside beach just across the cove from Manly.
Forty Baskets Beach
Pick a spot on the sand or the shaded grassy area and enjoy a view across the harbour. Forty Baskets Beach has netted tidal pool with a jetty along one side.
Fairlight Beach Rock Pool
Keen for a swim? Take your pick between the beach or the enclosed rock pool at Fairlight. This pretty harbourside spot has plenty of space to roll out your towel and enjoy the sun before you make your final approach into Manly.
Manly
Decision time! You’ve made it from Spit to Manly and now it’s time to choose your own adventure. Here’s a few ways to finish up your Spit to Manly walk:
- Continue your walk up to North Head for views right across the harbour
- Head up The Corso to Manly Beach for a swim
- Celebrate with a drink and a feed (try the Rooftop Bar at New Brighton Hotel for views over Manly Beach!)
- Take the ferry back across the harbour to Sydney CBD
