Oh dear, we have arrived at the penultimate stage of the Bondi-to-Manly path. What am I going to do when this little jaunt is over?
Yep, find another path to walk and, boy, I am planning a beauty! Stay tuned as I plot and plan a wee +1 000km stroll through the Aussie bush.
But, back to the path that stretches out in front of us and the jewel of Sydney Harbour on our right-hand side.
We are heading to Manly…
Stage: 7 – Spit Bridge to Manly Wharf.
Distance: Official distance: 10km. My Garmin watch said, bang on, 10km.
Time: Just over 3 hours at an easy pace with tired legs. I had just walked Stage 6 and the day was warming up and the ol’ legs were wilting.
Getting to Spit Bridge: Catch the express bus #173X from Wynyard Station to Spit East Reserve. It takes around 24 minutes ($2.61 using an Opal Card).
Getting Away from Manly: You have a couple of options to get back to the Sydney CBD. Buses run regularly, but why wouldn’t you choose the ferry? There are two ferry options – the fast one or the more traditional rocking and rolling two-tier ferry. Go for the older version and sit out on the deck watching all the coves and headlands you have walked through and over, pass out of view. Spot the little coloured dots of people still out walking in the midday heat and relax knowing you can put your feet up now. ($5.44 with an Opal Card).
Tips:
- Waymarking: There is not a lot of Bondi-to-Manly signage on this stretch, but again you can’t go too far wrong if you keep the water/harbour on one side.
- Sun Protection: Definitely wear sunscreen and a hat. The second half of this stage crosses a number of open headlands and beaches with absolutely no shade. The wind whipping off the water can also burn.
- Footwear: Sneakers, runners or walking sandals are perfectly suitable.
- Water, Toilets and Cafés: The app is excellent for showing the location of all the bare necessities. Take a water bottle with you and refill it at the sporadic water stations.
- Fitness: A medium level of fitness is required. Some seats/rest areas are available at a couple of lookouts and beach areas.
- Terrain: Another mixed bag of bush paths, rock jumping, sandy beaches, concrete walkways and steep climbs up through the bush and onto the open headlands.
- Swimming Gear: You guessed it! The most delightful beaches await you at Clontarf and Fairlight, and there is a dog-friendly beach at Sandy Bay. It was a lovely sight to see deliriously happy dogs cavorting in the water and playing chases with each other. You could almost hear them laughing.
Comments:
- Flora & Fauna: Nature lovers will really enjoy this walk with a good range of interpretive information, especially describing the surrounding plants and flowers. I was delighted to see flannel flowers bobbing gently in the breeze as well as other blooms.
The cheeky water dragons were also wonderful to see and certainly were not camera shy. I love the prehistoric look of these reptiles although a fellow walker was less than impressed and I had to act as her bodyguard shielding her from a potential attack! As if?!
- Views: It was a pearler of a day with the Autumn sun changing the Harbour from emerald green to brilliant blue. Sailing boats tilted into the wind and their white sails looked like confetti sprinkled across a blue blanket.
Every twist and turn of the path seemed to open up a new and stunning snap shot of the Harbour. Out on a high headland, I could look straight back across the water and see Watson’s Bay – the end of Stage 1 of the Bondi-to-Manly path. It feels like a lifetime since I started out on this wander even though it was less than 2 years ago. Maybe 2020 equated to a lifetime?!
The views also stretched North and I could see North Head and the Quarantine Station, which I will visit on my last stage of this incredible path. I can’t help but feel a little sad already that I have nearly reached the finish line.
- Indigenous History: The whole Harbour is like one long walk through Aboriginal history. This area was home to the Gadigal, Wangal, Wallumedegal, Boromedegal, Gamaragal, Borogegal, Birrabirragal and Gayamaygal people of the Eora Nation. The headlands and the protected coves, and excellent fishing would have sustained many different Aboriginal tribes and family groupings. On the top of Dobroyd headland, part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, don’t miss a visit to The Grotto where you can see Aboriginal carvings of large fish or perhaps they are whales. It is amazing to see how they have lasted through time. Despite the harsh conditions, they have endured.
- Final Thoughts: Like all the other stages of the Bondi-to-Manly path, this walk has been a feast for the senses. This path really makes you engage every part of your mind and body. What a privilege to be able to step out into nature and history.
Have you walked any stages of the Bondi to Manly walk? What are your thoughts?
The Basics
What: Stage 7 of the Bondi to Manly Walk. Download the app (Android or Apple) for all the information and directions you need to walk safely on this path.
Where: Walking eastwards around and over headlands with almost 360° views of Sydney Harbour.
When: I walked in mid-March 2021. An early start will help you avoid the worst of the heat.
Why: Walk this path for a dip at a secluded beach or a dose of Indigenous history.
Who: This path is perfect for beach bums, bird watchers, history buffs, nature lovers and all visitors to Sydney.
Related Posts: To start from the beginning, read my posts about:
- Stage 1 from Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay – here.
- Stage 2 from Watsons Bay to Rose Bay – here.
- Stage 3 from Rose Bay to Darling Point – here.
- Stage 4 from Darling Point to Kirribilli – here.
- Stage 5 from Kirribilli to Taronga Zoo – here.
- Stage 6 from Taronga Zoo to Spit Bridge – here
Related Blogs: If you don’t believe me, check out what All the Gear But No Idea thinks about Stage 7 of this path. He has some fabulous photos and have really captured the sweeping harbour views.
Read About It: For an interesting read about nature, evolution, history and early colonial Australia, grab a copy of Mr Darwin’s Shooter by Roger McDonald. The novel ranges all over the World and finally settles in Sydney Harbour. Available from Book Depository.
#travelinspo #bonditomanly #sydneywalks #bondi2manly #walkingsydney #manlywharf #spitbridge #daywalks #shortwalks #sydneyharbour #manly #sydneybeaches #clontarf #fairlight
Life...one big adventure 
Another reminder of how much of Sydney I have yet to see. The wattle flower is lovely. Most of all you are making the most of your time exploring your own backyard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When the dust settles for you, you must pop on over and come for a long stroll around the Harbour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You never know. Never say never is my motto 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A thorough article with some excellent photography. Ah Australia, one day…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep dreaming! We are not going anywhere and perhaps, one day, we will open our borders again! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, a 1 000km stroll … that sounds a bit daunting 😳.
But back to your walk here – those beaches are just beautiful and to see the colours of the ocean changing as you’ve mentioned, is always a highlight for me. And love your photo’s of the flowers towards the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your feedback. This little walk really punches above its weight. Next time I must pack my swimmers so I can dip into and out of all those beaches! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another Virtual Walk, and an enjoyable one too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it and you didn’t even raise a sweat! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, my favourite harbour walk! And you had a perfect day for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember you doing this walk. It is lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s a good one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True. I have been really lucky weather-wise with each stage of the walk, except for one cloudy day, but then every day is a perfect day in Aus! 😉
LikeLike
Every day is perfect in Aus? Are you in Sydney at the moment, with all this rain and wind? But, my windows sure are clean now! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
OK – well maybe not on drenching days in Sydney, but I am sure the ducks are happy! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so beautiful 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is that. I think if Sydney didn’t have the harbour at its centre it would be yet another bland metropolis. They don’t call it the Emerald City for nothing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another lovely walk, lots of ins and outs here with all those coves. I love the water dragons that you see all over Sydney. I haven’t done this bit except for Manly to Fairlight Beach and back for an evening stroll with my son after he finished work before we went for a meal. The one that intrigues me the most though is Forty Baskets Beach! Manly has a soft spot in my heart, as it was there I was supposed to move to when I got to Australia back in 1974, but of course I never did get there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are almost sounding like a local! Sending you lots of positive and healthy thoughts so that perhaps one day, you can return and enjoy Manly once again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unlikely as my son now resides in Brisbane, but you never know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh well, I am sure Brizvegas will have plenty of nice walks to keep you entertained when you get DownUnder again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do Aussies really call it that? Obviously things have changed a lot since I was there in 1998!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is said slightly tongue-in-cheek as Brisbane is such a sleepy country town. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And there I was thinking it was going to be a buzzing metropolis!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They may think it is, but if you are used to Sydney then it is definitely a much more relaxed vibe!
LikeLike
Wow! Such scenery, locations, wildlife and flora … I’m in post heaven! Mel, it was a joy to join you vicariously and particularly fascinated by the indigenous history. I would want to spend some days in the area! My husband spent a month travelling around Australia and although I would love to visit I’m not sure about the long flight … I’ll continue absorbing the beauty of your posts for now!😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we are a long way away from everyone, but well worth the effort to get here.Think about breaking your trip half-way or a little side trip and that will make the distance all the more doable. Yes, I am probably being a bit optimistic that this will happen anytime soon, but we can keep dreaming! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those water dragons look amazing, Mel. Love the expression of the one on the left 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t they just look they have stepped out of prehistoric times?? They are walking history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had no idea there were so many tribes within the Aboriginal community. I’ll bet their history is fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I guess it is a bit like your Native Americans – one classification, but many nations under the one banner. If you want an interesting read about Indigenous culture, check out Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe or Songlines by Bruce Chatwin. Both really fascinating insights into our first people. Thanks for reading, Mel
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a nice little walk. That water is so amazingly blue. I’d love to get to Australia someday because now I have to see a real live Water Dragon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad to hear that I have tempted you to visit Aus! One day it will all be doable again.
LikeLike
Wow.. beautiful captures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for your kind words. Sydney is so photogenic it is hard to take a bad photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person