The Spit to Manly (2)

Near Shell Cove, Balgowlah

Clontarf Beach and Reserve

Australian Water dragon (left)

We enjoyed returning to this popular walk, starting at the bus stop at Spit Reserve and ending at Manly Ferry Wharf (around 9km).



Fringe Lily (below)

    WildWalks link

See my original post for more photos and information

 

The Spit to Manly

This popular walk from The Spit Bridge, Mosman, meanders around the harbour foreshore of Clontarf, through part of Sydney Harbour National Park, to Fairlight and Manly.

The Spit Bridge, Middle Harbour

The Spit Bridge (completed in 1958) opens several times each day to allow the passage of tall-masted vessels.

This scenic 10 Km walk has numerous entrance/exit points which would enable a shorter walk.

We caught a bus from the city and returned by ferry.

          The Manly Scenic Walkway   map and info

           Walking Coastal Sydney also has a good pdf with map and notes

            WildWalks link

Manly - Cabbage Tree Bay

I took the first two photos on a Winter's excursion to Manly, while the others were taken on the way back from our North Head walk.

Manly Wharf

Helen Leete is "well known for her public sculptures around Sydney, which include 'Earthmother' in the Royal Botanic Gardens near the Opera House, 'Oceanide' (below) off Fairy Bower and 'Arched Back Bather' at Manly..." 

Helen Leete's - Oceanides

 Cabbage Tree Bay is an aquatic reserve you pass on this easy walk from Manly wharf to Shelly Beach. The Marine Parade walk features miniature sculptures of the local fauna and flora found in  the protected marine reserve and the adjoining wildlife reserve.

                                                                             

Shelly Beach, Manly

Eco-sculpture brochure

North Head to Shelly Beach

This excursion began with the scenic half hour ferry trip from Circular Quay to Manly.

At Manly, we caught a 135 route bus from opposite Manly wharf to the North Head Sanctuary.

near Blue Fish Point, looking south.

There is a walking track from the Gatehouse Visitors Centre, through Sydney Harbour National Park to Cabbage Tree Bay. 

In the photo below you can see some of the beaches to the north of Manly. North Steyne, Queenscliff, Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Long Reef and beyond, although not all are seen in this photo. We continued down to Shelly Beach and returned to Manly wharf from there. 

Link to my earlier North Head posts

North Head - Manly walking Map (pdf)    

North Head Sanctuary visitors guide (pdf)

North Head to Manly

City skyline from North Head (telephoto)

The Barracks

                                                 
This Sydney Excursion follows on from my North Head Sanctuary post. The other aspect of North Head is its military history. The headquarters for the Army School of Artillery was established at the North Head Barracks in 1946.
In 1998 it was relocated to Puckapunyal in Victoria, as North Head was no longer considered suitable.

You may also see references to the 'Australian Army Artillery Museum' which was located at North Fort.  It was also moved to Victoria in December 2010.

                                                                                                                               The North Fort Memorial Walk and memorials, honour those who have served in the defence of Australia in both war and peace. It spans the period from Australia's Colonial past, World War 1, World War 2 and Post-WW2 conflicts.                           Peacekeeping Operations and Civilian Services such as the Merchant Navy are included.

The heavy clouds cleared, making the mostly downhill walk back to Many wharf very pleasant. Along the way we passed Collins Beach and Little Manly Cove

Collins Beach, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove

Sydney Coast walks

Thanks to Judith who led the group on this interesting and scenic walk