Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Spit Bridge to Manly (Manly Scenic Walkway) hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Spit Bridge to Manly
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
4 Hrs 30 mins
9.2 km
345 m
One way
3.4 km W of Manly
Sydney Harbour National Park
Track: Moderate
The Spit to Manly is one of those classic bushwalks on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Beautiful views over the bays of Middle Harbour and well-maintained tracks, this walk is great for those looking for excercise or just a stroll along the coast of Sydney. If you have time the sidetrips down to Grotto Point and up to Arabanoo Lookout are definitely worth the effort.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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(0 km) Spit Bridge to Clontaf Marina Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.6 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 62 m
Descent = -76 m
From the northern end of the Spit Bridge on Battle Boulevard the track heads south down a set of stairs towards Middle Harbour. From under the bridge the track follows the Manly Scenic Walkway signs across the park and up the gravel path to the east. The track then skirts around the edge of Fisher Bay. At the apex of the Bay there is a wodden footbridge to cross the small creek. After the bridge the track narrows a bit as it heads south then round the headland to Fairbairn Ave and Sandy Bay. There are great views of the Spit from the headland and the wooden pathway makes walking through this rocky area easier. From Sandy Bay the track follows Sandy Bay road east along the shore line to a steep set of stairs sign posted Mitchell Walkway. At the top of the stairs a small trail bypasses the house before descending down another set of stairs to the Clontaf Marina.
(1.58 km) Clontaf Marina to Monash Cres Track Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -9 m
At Clontarf Marina the trail heads south along Sandy Bay road for about 30m before turning right into the the Clontarf Reserve Park at the Manly Scenic Walkway sign. The track then crosses the park past the toilets and cafe until coming to a large grey building in the the south of the park. This is a nice little park, where you can usually fill up your water bottles. The track then heads along the beach to the southern end. (at high tide the track follows Monash Cresent to the small footpath that leads to the southern end of the beach).
(2.28 km) Monash Cres Track to Int. of Arabanoo Walk and Castle Rock tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 73 m
Descent = -39 m
From the end of the beach the track heads up the stairs signposted to Castle Rock the main track continues to the right (east). There are a few hills along the way and the track is well signposted with signs pointing to Manly at each of the intersections. Along this section of track there are some good rock formation and small cliffs and some great views of Middle harbour.
(3.35 km) Int. of Arabanoo Walk and Castle Rock tracks to Grotto Point Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -37 m
From the intersection the track heads south out to the headland via the small bush track toward the lighthouse. Along the track there are impromptu lookouts with views of the harbour and from the lighthouse there are great views out of the heads and across to the Quarantine station.
Grotto Point Lighthouse
Alt = 3
Surrounded by a white picket fence the small Grotto Point lighthouse overlooks Middlehead. 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 been commissioned on September 1 1911.
(3.35 km) Int. of Arabanoo Walk and Castle Rock tracks to Int. of Arabanoo Lookout Track and Arabanoo walk Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 73 m
Descent = -31 m
From the intersection the track follows the signs to Manly, after about 150m a set of stairs heads up a gradual section of track and approximately halfway are the Grotto Point Aboriginal rock engravings. These engravings are in great condition and well signposted. The trail then continues up the stairs to the top and along the rockshelf past the turnoff to Dobroyd Head and before too long comes to a signposted intersection with with a track going up to the Arabanoo Lookout.
(4.46 km) Int. of Arabanoo Lookout Track and Arabanoo walk to Arabanoo Lookout Optional Side Trip: Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -9 m
From the intersection the track heads north along the sandy bushtrack until emerging onto Dobroyd Scenic Drive. From here the track turns right for approximately 30m before coming to a large lookout.
Arabanoo Lookout
Alt = 81
The lookout has great views over Port Jackson, Northern Harbour and as far as Manly. The lookout also has several signs and monuments providing historical information on the significance of the area. Looking out over Middle Head this lookout is named after Arabanoo who was an aboriginal man kidnapped by British marines in December 1788 on Governor Phillips orders. The Governor believed that this was justified as he wished to facilitate communication between the British and the Aborigines. Arabanoo lived in the company of the Europeans until the 18th May 1789 where he died due to smallpox infection.
(4.46 km) Int. of Arabanoo Lookout Track and Arabanoo walk to Gledhill Park Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.5 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -101 m
From the intersection the bushtrack heads east descending gradually until reaching the bottom where it becomes a flat bushtrack. Shortly after the trail flattens out the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack coming from the north. From the intersection the track heads south-east and gradually to the north around the edge of the Dobroyd Headland, joining onto a footbridge that goes around the back of Reef Bay. At the northern end of the Bay there are toilets and changerooms. From here the track heads north along the gravel track for a short while before changing to being a mixture of bushtrack and beach walking. This continues until the track arrives at Gledhill Park.
(6 km) Gledhill Park to North Harbour Reserve Track: Moderate - bushtrack, road
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 32 m
Descent = -34 m
From Gledhill Park the track heads to the northern end of the beach connecting with the asphalt access road. The track continues along this road climbing slightly until passing above the Marina. From the marina the track heads north along the asphalt road for approximately 150m before coming to an intersection signposted, Manly Scenic Walkway. The track turns downhill off the road and heads down the bushtrack slightly before crossing over the creek to the north-west and connecting with Clarence Rd. The footbridge offers some excellent views over Port Jackson as well over North Harbour Reserve. Once on Clarence St the track turns downhill (north) to the corner of Clarence and Lower Beach Streets. At the corner of these streets the track follows the Manly Scenic Walkway signs down the stairs towards the bay and into the North Harbour Reserve.
(6.9 km) North Harbour Reserve to Lauderdale Ave trackhead Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -9 m
From the southern end of North Harbour Reserve the track heads along the footpath beside the bay to the northern end connecting with the set of stairs. At the top of the stairs the track emerges on the corner of Boyle St and King Av. The trail follows King Av to the east and then turns left, connecting with Lauderdale Rd. At the connection of King St and Lauderdale Rd the track turns right and heads slightly downhill for approximately 50m before connecting with a wide yellow footpath that heads off the road to the right.
(7.32 km) Lauderdale Ave trackhead to Fairlight Beach Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 26 m
Descent = -39 m
From the beginning of the Fairlight Walk on Lauderdale Rd this track follows the yellow footpath south-east and then gradually north-east, following the edge of the bay. This offers magnificent views over the bay while still being accessible to wheelchairs. This footpath continues around the back of Fairlight Beach.
(8.15 km) Fairlight Beach to Manly Warf Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Distance = 1 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 26 m
Descent = -29 m
From the eastern end of Fairlight Beach this track follows the wide yellow footpath running parallel to the bay. Footpath continues until emerging onto Commonwealth Parade. Once on Commonwealth Parade the track follows the footpath north past Manly Waterworks for about 50m. Just before the intersection of Commonwealth Parade and West Esplanade the track follows the footpath down to Esplanade Park and Manly Cove. On the far side of Manly Cove is the ferry warf.
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 
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