Bushwalks along the Coast and Middle Harbour
As well having 30km of coastline between Manly and Palm Beach, the Northern Beaches encompasses Pittwater and Narrabeen Lakes. It also has Cowan Creek and Middle Harbour Creek as part of its borders. The walks listed below explore some of the many tracks along the coast and Middle Harbour. They include some popular trails that are hard to ignore (but can get busy – and some more challenging routes to avoid the crowds.
- All bushwalks below are within (or very close) to the Northern Beaches LGA, but please confirm they comply to the current NSW Health orders based on where you live.
- For more bushwalking suggestions have a look at the 80+ bushwalks in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Garigal National Park guides
- Distance: 7.4km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
The Bantry Bay Loop is a varied loop, which passes the Bantry Bay Aboriginal engravings next to the Engravings Track. It then descends to Bantry Bay along the Timber Getters Track and returns via the scenic Bluff Track.
Walk popularity?
- Fairly busy. One of the best bushwalks in Garigal National Park – do this one late afternoon for a nice sunset from the top of the Bluff Track.
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Rock formations, Views
- Distance: 3km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk is a short, easy and popular loop walk that offers sweeping views over the Barrenjoey peninsula, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.
Walk popularity?
- Very busy. A great walk with some of the best views – but go early morning, late afternoon or during the week as this is also a popular walk (for good reason).
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Rock formations, Trig Station, Views
- Distance: 4.3km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Resolute Loop is a great little walk that passes an Aboriginal engraving site, offers great views over Pittwater and provides access to two secluded beaches
Walk popularity?
- Busy. Being one of the best West Head bushwalks, this loop gets busy on weekends. Go early or late if you can, which also gives you a better chance of seeing some wildlife.
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Beaches, Views
- Distance: 2.8km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
Duffys Wharf Track and the Slades Trail can be combined into a loop; a fantastic little hike that descends to Duffys Wharf on Cowan Creek and back up to Slades Lookout.
Walk popularity?
- Fairly busy. Both trails are fairly well-known to locals; if you’re prepared to do some off-track walking you’ll lose the crowds (map/GPS essential).
- Alternatives: If you prefer to stick to trails, an out-and-back walk to Duffys Wharf is the pick, but try and go early or late to avoid the crowds.
- Distance: 8.2km
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
The Flat Rock Beach circuit is a very nice loop walk through Garigal National Park around Killarney Heights. It combines the Flat Rock Beach Track, Magazine Track and Bates Creek Track.
Walk popularity?
- Busy. Most of these walking tracks are popular and will get busy on weekends. It’s a great walk though, so go early or late to avoid the crowds.
- Features: Beaches, Coastal, Rock formations, Views, Waterfall
- Distance: 3.6km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
Easy walk down to Flint and Steel Beach, before continuing east along the coastline to the next bay.
Walk popularity?
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Beaches, Swimming, Views
- Distance: 2.8km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Moderate
This short and partly off-track Flint and Steel Loop bushwalk connects Flint and Steel Bay and Flint and Steel Beach at West Head via a rough track around the headland. Low tide best.
Walk popularity?
- Mixed. The track to Flint and Steel Beach will be busy on a weekend, but you’ll see very few people as you make your way around the coastline and back up the Flint and Steel Bay track.
- Alternatives: The out-and-back walk to Flint and Steel Beach is nice, but go very late afternoon or during the week to avoid the crowds.
- Features: Beaches, Coastal, Rock formations, Swimming, Views
- Distance: 19km
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Grade: Moderate/Hard
The Middle Harbour Creek circuit is a relatively long bushwalk around Middle Harbour Creek. The route goes down one side of the creek from St Ives to Roseville Bridge, returning on the opposite side. This loop combines the Governor Phillip Walk. Lyre Bird Track, Two Creeks Track and Lockley Track.
Walk popularity?
- Varies. Some part of the walk are busier than others. The Lyrebird Track from Davidson Park gets very busy on weekends; conversely the more challenging section between Gordon Creek and the Stepping Stones gets far less people.
- Features: Rock formations, Views
- Distance: 10.4km
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Spit to Manly is a popular coastal walk in northern Sydney, which follows the coast from The Spit in Mosman to the Manly wharf terminal. It traverses pockets of rainforest and secluded bays and beaches
Walk popularity?
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Beaches, Coastal, Swimming, Urban walk
- Distance: 6.5km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
A varied walk that takes you to the spectacular Birnie Lookout (Flagstaff Hill) overlooking Pittwater, before descending to Lovett Bay and returning via the Towlers Bay Trail.
Walk popularity?
- Mostly quiet. Despite being one of the best lookouts in West Head, few people know about Birnie Lookout. You will see a few people along the more popular Towlers Bay Track.
- Features: Caves, Coastal, Rock formations, Views