Stephen Spencer
Google
There’s not many walks in Australia that can match the great walks of New Zealand, but when the sun is out, the Manly Spit Bridge Walk delivers.
Best of all, it’s an easy one to get to via public transport, elevation is minimal, and the track is (mostly) in good shape.
There are toilets located at a number of places, numerous spots you can bail out early and order a cab, and a few decent places to stop for a bite or a drink.
We did this with a ferry to Manly, and started the walk from the Wharf, completing it in about 4 hours, with a stop for lunch at the fabulous Bosk café at Clontarf and then an Uber back from Spit Junction (though there’s plenty of buses there).
The first section of the walk follows the wide esplanade round to Fairlight, diverting onto a few street before ducking back down to the harbour, and off the streets at North Harbour. From there it’s all off road, with some lovely patches of bushland, some sections which come right down to the harbour, and others which lift you up on to Dobroyd Head for views out of the Heads. There’s some steep steps around Castle Rocks, but most people of even basic fitness should be able to manage this walk.
There’s a little known coffee stand on the wharf at the Manly Boatshed, another café at North Harbour, and then it’s Clontarf and Spit Junction if you want lunch or a drink.
A world class walk, right on your doorstep Sydney, and it’s totally free.