If you’re looking for a fun day out that’s mobility and/or pram friendly, here are a couple of great suggestions.
Pack a picnic and make the most of these short walks.
1. The Big Ticket Item - The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House & The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney | 3km
Take a ferry or train to Circular Quay then walk to the Sydney Opera House to enter the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney at the Opera House Gate.
Do a huge loop around the Gardens, exploring the Palace Rose Garden and Pavilion, The Sydney Fernery, perhaps stopping for a morning coffee at the Palm Grove Centre Restaurant and Café.
Continue along the Macquarie Wall and Spring Walk, to the Bicentenary Garden, turning left after the Australian native Plant Border to follow the foreshore to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
Loop around Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and you’re now following the B2M along the foreshore walkway back to, and around, the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).
With the current closures of Dawes Point Battery and walkway, we recommend immediately after the MCA to turn left up Argyle Street, crossing George Street then turning right on Playfair Street, passing through the historic centre of The Rocks which hosts The Rocks Markets on weekends.
At the T intersection where Playfair Street meets George Street, turn left and follow George Street past the café’s until it meets Lower Fort Street.
At this point, turn left onto Lower Fort Street then immediately turn left again onto Cumberland Street. Continue along Cumberland Street until you see the lift up to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Sydney Harbour Bridge for roughly 20 minutes until you reach the Northern end, then take the lift down to Broughton Street.
Follow the B2M signage down Broughton Street, across Bradfield Park and down to Milsons Point where you can take a ferry back to Circular Quay or make you way back up to Milsons Point Train Station.
2. The roads less travelled - 3 great walks to explore starting and finishing in Manly
Arriving into Manly Wharf, there are 3 main shorter walks you could do individually or combine them all together for one much longer walk.
Option 1 | 2km each way
Walk for 2km along the Manly to Spit walkway, passing Delwood and Fairlight Beaches. You could even stop in at Fairlight Pool for a dip! Turn around shortly after passing Manly Boatshed where the path meets Lauderdale Avenue. At this point there’s a beautiful grassy hill and bench seat overlooking North Harbour Reserve. Great spot for a picnic!
Option 2 | 1.6km each way
Back at Manly Wharf, this time take a right out of the Wharf and follow the foreshore along East Manly Cove Beach. Take the accessible ramp up to East Esplanade then follow the road around and along Stuart Street. Stay on Stuart Street until you reach Little Manly Beach where you can stop at the café for an ice cream or snack. Return to continue on Stuart Street until you reach the entry on your right to Little Manly Point. Take the path out to loop around Little Manly Point Park which will bring you back onto Stuart Street to retrace your steps back to Manly Wharf.
Option 3 | 1.8km each way
The one we all know about because, let’s be honest, it’s astoundingly beautiful and easy as punch. When you leave the Wharf, go down the Manly Corso until it reaches Manly Beach. Take a right and follow the beachfront walkway past South Manly Beach and along Marine Parade towards Shelly. Stop at The Bower Café and restaurant for a bite to eat or continue on to Shelly Beach where The Boathouse welcomes you for an ice block or lunch. From here, you could follow the road up and onto Bower Street where there are a couple of spectacular viewpoints overlooking the ocean - perfect for whale, dolphin, penguin or even shark spotting! Again, loop around to retrace your steps back to Manly and enjoy the views looking North at all the beaches along the coastline.
The routes outlined above are included on the map below, in dark blue.
DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this map, Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage alleged to be suffered by anyone as a result of the publication of this map, or as a result of the user or misuse of the information provided herein. Feedback and recommended corrections are welcomed.
