This walks follows the coast from Balmoral to the Spit and across Spit Bridge. There are some alternate tracks to consider at high-tides, taking the streets over the headlands. Balmoral and Chinamans beaches are very nice places for lunch and a swim. Allows time to wander and explore. There are plenty of options for swimming.
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(0 km)
Balmoral Park car park
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Rocky Point Bridge Walk: Easy - beach
Length = 856 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -9 m
From Balmoral Park car park, this walk heads onto the beach and follows along it, past the pipe and wharf, then continues up the beach to then head up the stairs onto the bridge, connecting the small rocky island to the promenade above the beach.
Balmoral Beach
Alt = 2 m
Balmoral Beach takes its name from the royal castle at Braemar in Scotland. This is a beautiful beach, with a great foreshore walk overlooking the sandy beach. The beach is a popular spot with locals and visitors, for sun baking, swimming and having a picnic. Balmoral Beach has very little surf, with a sheltered, easterly aspect. There is also a shark-net swimming area, toilets, shops, cafes and plenty of beach to share on a sunny day.
(0.86 km)
Rocky Point Bridge
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Rocky Point Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 109 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill towards the sea. The walk passes a few bench seats and bins on the way out to the edge of the point.
(0.86 km)
Rocky Point Bridge
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Int. Wyargine Reserve Trk and Balmoral Beach Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 475 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -3 m
From the bridge, this walk heads along the beach to the north, keeping the sea to the right, towards the headland. The walk heads along the beach for approximately 200m, to the intersection just off the beach, past the last beachfront house.
(1.33 km)
Int. Wyargine Reserve Trk and Balmoral Beach
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Chinamans Beach Reserve South Alternate Route:
Track: Moderate - bushtrack,road,bushtrack
( Show detail)
Length = 855 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -43 m
From the intersection just behind the beach, this walk winds up stairs away from the beach, to a rocky outcrop where the track turns. The walk then continues up the hill to meet the signposted intersection at the end of Stanton Rd. From the intersection, this walk heads up the road following 'Stanton Rd' then 'Burran Ave' signs, to veer left onto Hopetoun Ave. The walk soon passes Kirk Oswald Ave (off to the left). After a while the road again splits into two levels, opposite the intersection of Armitage Rd. From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, following the sign 'Armitage Lane' along the road, and around to the left into Rosherville Rd. The walk continues along the footpath, passing a large boulder and a bench on the right before winding down behind the playground in Rosherville Reserve. The track passes the playground, taking the closest access track to the southern end of Chinamans Beach.
(1.33 km)
Int. Wyargine Reserve Trk and Balmoral Beach
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Chinamans Beach Reserve South Track: Hard - notrack
Length = 843 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -25 m
(This section is only possible at low tide and with calm seas.) From the intersection, this walk heads away from the houses and towards the rockshelf, keeping the bush on the left. The walk keeps the water to the right as it weaves around the rockshelf for approximately 500m, to some boat sheds with rail tracks into the water. From these boat sheds, the walk continues to follow the rocky headland to the beach.
Chinamans Beach and Reserve
Alt = 3 m
Chinamans Beach and Reserve are wonderful places to have a picnic or a swim, with lots of areas to sit in the sun or shade beside the clear water. The beach does not provide any surf with its north-easterly aspect, but is perfect for launching your kayak or boat into the harbour. Chinamans Reserve has some parking, play equipment, toilets and road access by McLean Cres.
(2.17 km)
Chinamans Beach Reserve South
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Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 225 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -5 m
From the end of the beach, this walk heads along the sand, keeping the water to the right, until near the middle of Chinamans Beach. A wood-railed track heads off to the toilet block on the left, marking the intersection. From the intersection, this walk heads along the beach with the water to the right. The walk leads to the stairs at the end of the beach.
(2.4 km)
Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North
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Int. Middle Harbour Yacht Club car park and Spit Rd Alternate Route:
Track: Moderate - footpath
( Show detail)
Length = 1.11 km
Time = 26 mins
Climb = 62 m
Descent = -63 m
From the base of the stairs (at the northern end of Chinamans Beach), this walk heads up the stairs away from the beach, to the intersection with Cyprian St. The track heads to the right, up Cyprian St, to the intersection with Parriwi Rd. At Parriwi Rd, the walk turns right, around the railing and up the hill. The walk continues along Parriwi Rd for some time, down to the intersection with Spit Rd. The walk continues along Spit Rd, to the driveway entry to Middle Harbour Yacht Club car park.
(2.4 km)
Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North
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Middle Harbour Yacht Club entrance Track: Hard - notrack
Length = 862 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = -19 m
From the intersection, this walk heads along the rocky shoreline with the water to the right, as it weaves around the houses to a small beach. The walk continues over some sandy sections between the rocks for approximately 700m, to come to a large Sydney Water building, the Spit Syphon. The walk climbs onto the concrete platform of the Spit Syphon to continue along the road, passing 'The Shores' restaurant and a boat ramp. The walk continues past the Middle Harbour Yacht Club building to the main entrance facing the car park.
Spit Syphon
Alt = 3 m
The Spit Syphon was built between 1922 and 1925 by the Public Works Department. It was necessary in order to pump sewage from the north without interfering with water transport. The building is styled with Egyptian influences as displayed by its tall, square concrete walls. More info
(3.26 km)
Middle Harbour Yacht Club entrance
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Spit Bridge South Walk: Easy - road,footpath
Length = 355 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -5 m
From the entrance of Middle Harbour Yacht Club, this walk heads away from the buildings to the road. From the intersection, this walk heads along Spit Rd towards the bridge, keeping the shops on the right. The walk heads along the road to where it splits, to go over the bridge, opposite 'Sydney Harbour Kayaks'.
Sydney Harbour Kayaks
Alt = 2 m
Sydney Harbour Kayaks, at the southern end of the Spit Bridge, provide sales and rentals of kayaks. One hour in a single plastic kayak costs $20, and a double $40. The enterprise also provides tours of the harbour, catering for individuals through to large groups. For further information and bookings, contact: info@sydneyharbourkayaks.com.au or (02) 99604389 More info
(3.62 km)
Spit Bridge South
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Int. Spit Rd and Ellery's Punt Reserve Road Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 351 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -2 m
From the intersection, this walk heads over the Spit Bridge, with the road to the left of the footpath. The walk crosses the bridge to where it meets the road down to Ellery's Punt Reserve, first on the right.
Spit Bridge
Alt = 0 m
The Spit Bridge was originally built in 1924 to replace the punt service. The current Spit Bridge was built during the 1950's. The bridge is a bascule bridge, as it's middle section can be raised to allow tall ships through. This ability of the bridge does, however, stop traffic on a major arterial road, which has caused the bridge to be the centre of some controversy. The Spit Bridge carries the Spit Rd and the Manly Scenic Walkway.
(3.97 km)
Int. Spit Rd and Ellery's Punt Reserve Road
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Int. Ellery's Punt Reserve Rd and Manly Scenic Walkway Walk: Easy - footpath,road
Length = 104 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -7 m
From the intersection, this walk heads downhill away from the main road for approximately 20m to the intersection below the bridge, on the left. From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill towards the water. The walk soon comes to Ellery's Punt Reserve car park on the right. This walk continues past this, down the footpath to the signposted intersection.
Ellery's Punt Reserve
Alt = 6 m
Ellery's Punt Reserve is a very nice grassed area on the north eastern side of the Spit Bridge. The reserve has road access and parking, and seems to be a popular spot for fishing from the bank. There is also seating and shaded areas.
(4.07 km)
Int. Ellery's Punt Reserve Rd and Manly Scenic Walkway
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Int. Battle Boulevard and Manly Rd Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 232 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = 0 m
From the 'Manly Scenic Walkway' map and info sign, this walk heads across the grass following the coast line, keeping the water to the left and heading towards the "Ellery's Punt Reserve" sign. From the sign, the walk passes under the Spit Bridge and then up the flight of stairs that come to the end of Battle Boulevard. From the end of the cul-de-sac, this walk follows Battle Bvd up the road to the car park just near the intersection with Manly Road.
Catch the bus from Int. Battle Boulevard and Manly Rd
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 48 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
One of Sydney's most diverse parks, Sydney Harbour National Park is formed from 11 pockets of harbour islands and shoreline. Highlights include coastal walks and swimming, breath-taking viewpoints, tours of colonial buildings and Aboriginal cave art.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
not too much longer now :)