Local Walks
There are a number of beautiful walks around Manly from the famous Manly Scenic Walkway, to informal strolls and scenic views along the ocean front promenade passing Fairy Bower, around to Shelley Beach. The Visitor Information Centre or National Parks and Wildlife Service can provide you with maps of walking tours and further information.
Cabbage Tree Bay Coastal Walk (Shelly Beach)
Gain an insight into Cabbage Tree Bay’s unique marine life, plants, animals, history and attractions by viewing some unique eco-sculptures.
Manly Council’s Heritage Committee was established in 1993 to help promote the unique heritage of Manly through programs such as The Heritage Festival, Seven Miles from Sydney, walks, plaques and other special activities. Further information on Manly Heritage, including Heritage Walk booklets, is available from Manly Council Offices, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Manly Library, Visitor’s Information Centre and Manly Environment Centre.
Sydney is blessed to have the finest network of walking tracks in the world. One of the more famous and most scenic routes is the Manly Scenic Walkway, opened in 1988.
Encompassing panoramic views of the majestic entrance to Sydney Harbour and swathes of bushland, walkers are able to contrast the old and new Australia as they pass by modern harbourside suburbs juxtaposed with Aboriginal sites, native coastal heath and pockets of sub-tropical rainforest.
The Manly Scenic Walkway is comprised of a number of connecting walks, with walking grades to suit everyone. The walkway passes through Sydney Harbour National Park, Council bushland reserves, local harbourside streets and paved paths.
One of the better known walks is Manly to Spit Bridge, a 10km walk that takes approx 3 to 4 hours to complete and offers spectacular views of the entrance to the harbour and over to the city. The walkway is well signposted with a number of entry points and information boards along the length of the track.
Newer section of the walk include Blue Fish track, taking in North Head and allowing walkers to access the clifftops of this remarkable headland via Shelly Beach.
Please remember dogs and other domestic pets are not permitted in National Parks, refer to the map for the alternate route for dogs.
The Manly Scenic Walkway also links in with other walking tracks, including the Harbour to Hawkesbury Walking Track, plus walks through Mosman and Warringah Councils.
Grotto Point Lighthouse is surrounded by a white picket fence, the small Grotto Point Lighthouse overlooks Middle Head The light was designed in the early 1900s by the architect Maurice Festu to assist ships entering the harbour. Construction started in 1910, with the lighthouse being commissioned on the 1st of September 1911.
This return walk out to Grotto Point is a magnificent walk above the entrance to Middle Harbour. The walk provides plenty of views of Middle Head and over Sydney Harbour to the CBD. Many scenic views and some spectacular bushland, so close to the city, makes this walk a gem.
Along the way check out the Grotto Point Engravings. The engravings depict kangaroos, fish and what appears to be boomerangs. The engravings are in quite good condition, considering their age. Historians are not entirely sure if this is the land of the Gayarnagal or the Cammeraygal clan.
The main walks around Manly Dam this walk is popular for both walkers and bike riders. Prepare for spectacular views from both sides of the dam and well managed trails. Good spots to break include the picnic areas on King St. Features of this walk include walking the bridge across the top of the dam and the beach on the north side. Be warned – watch out for bike riders.
Starts from the south end of Manly Dam, this walk heads south through the park and crosses King St near the car parking area. A short walk along the southern hill above Manly Dam, with great views and fantastic scenery. One of the few tracks in the Manly Dam area where you won’t get run over by bike riders, this is a great walk for those looking for something short and peaceful.
Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay
Starting at Seaforth Oval, this walk follows a section of the ‘Harbour to Hawkesbury’ track along Middle Harbour Creek. The walk has many highlights, including great views of Bantry Bay, the Historic Magazine Buildings and the Natural Bridge. This walk is blessed with great bushland and views of Middle Harbour. Stop and relax, or wet your toes, at Flat Rock beach before the last section to Davidson Picnic Area.
For more Information see Manly Council Walking Tracks, Warringah Council Parks & Reserves or Wild Walks.com
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