Starting at Bondi Beach, you walk up the coast along the South Head of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Walking past significant Aboriginal sites and other heritage and historical landmarks such as Macquarie Lighthouse and the Wreck of the Dunbar. After passing the dramatic rock faces at The Gap, you’ll reach Hornby Lighthouse at the tip of South Head, before looping around to Watsons Bay Wharf. With stu
nning Harbour views, you’ll continue walking, through the Hermitage Foreshore Walk (one of Sydney's most iconic smaller walks, you'll pass many historical cottages, reserves, secluded beaches and bays, as well as seeing some incredible architecture in the waterfront houses you'll walk by. The Walk continues along the coastline, passing spectacular views and gorgeous Sydney suburbs, with all their glorious cafe's, before reaching The Domain, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Farm Cove and The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney; all very worthy of the visit. You’ll emerge from The Royal Botanic Garden at the iconic Sydney Opera House, with the iconic postcard view of Sydney - the Opera House in the foreground with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. Pass around Circular Quay, through the historic Rocks then across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After reaching Milsons Point, passing underneath the Harbour Bridge, you’ll pass Admiralty House, Kirribilli House and the Sub Base Platypus site, before reaching North Sydney Wharf. Continue along the harbourfront to Neutral Bay, where the heritage listed May Gibbs’ Nutcote house is located, before continuing on to Cremorne Point Reserve. Passing one of Sydney’s most impressive seawater pools; MacCallum Pool you’ll reach Robertson Lighthouse which marks the end of Cremorne Point, and boasts magnificent views of Sydney Harbour - the perfect spot for a scenic picnic/lunch break. Following the trail, you’ll find yourself at Taronga Zoo and then on to Bradleys Head, Georges Head and Middle Head; where you’ll find some of Sydney’s oldest defence systems of gun batteries and tunnels, from the 1800's. After walking down from Middle Head, you’ll reach Balmoral Beach where you can explore the various historical parts of the popular beach, the incredible Aboriginal history is evident all around, as is a lot of colonial history such as the old tram sheds, the Rotunda and Rocky Point Island. Following on to Parriwi Head and The Spit Bridge, you’ll walk through the Fisher Bay Trail which leads to Clontarf Beach and Grotto Point Lighthouse. Heading back towards Manly, the trail continues along the ‘Manly Scenic Walkway’ to Dobroyd Head, passing Aboriginal Australian Rock Engravings and Heritage Sites. Along this part of the Walk there are many viewpoints and secluded beaches such as Arabanoo Lookout, Reef Beach and Delwood Beach, all of which have glistening views of Middle Harbour and Sydney’s headlands. Continuing to Manly Wharf, you’ll pass the Federation Point, Manly Walkway of Olympians and Manly Cove. From Manly Wharf, you walk up to the historic Quarantine Station at North Head, where North Head Sanctuary, The Barracks, Memorial Walk and Gun Emplacement Tunnels are located. Looping around North Head Sanctuary, you'll return on the Eastern side bordering the ocean with spectacular views at every turm to reach the quaint Shelly Beach, renowned for its small shells which make up a large portion of the sand. From here, it's a short walk to the finish, passing Fairy Bower Seawater Pool and Manly Surf Life Saving Club, and eventually ending at Manly Beach where the Corso meets the beach, and the flags identify the finish.
