Things to do along the Bondi to Manly Walk

The epic Bondi to Manly Walk offers a launching pad for a deep dive into Sydney’s harbour, history and culture.

A man and woman lean against a metal railing along a boardwalk lined with vintage, round street lamps, on a cloudy day. Behind them is a long off-white building with the 'Bondi Pavilion' written in upper case New Roman font above the top row of windows.

Photos by Briar Jensen

Pick your beach

Bondi and Manly surf beaches get the glory but there’s a swathe of gorgeous lesser-known sandy spots. Parsley Bay is a pocket-sized paradise when not busy and Milk Beach is a slither of sand below the grounds of Strickland House, perfect for a picnic.

Walk to Castle Rock Beach or Reef Beach in the national park below Balgowlah Heights. If you prefer to get your gear off, then head to Lady Bay Beach, not far from lovely Camp Cove. Smaller alternatives at Manly are Shelly and Little Collins Beaches.

The view of small beach from the water in the daytime, the light-coloured sand leads to a small park-like crop of grass surrounded by tall trees, with buildings visible in the distance.
Parsley Bay beach.

Harbour from on high

For the best aerial perspective of Sydney’s glittering harbour you can’t beat the top of the ‘Coat Hanger’. Choose from BridgeClimb’s Ultimate, Summit, Insider and Burrawa Aboriginal Climb experiences.

If you don’t have a head for heights, you can still get awesome views from the south-east Pylon Lookout & Museum. It tells the story of the bridge’s construction which breathed life into Sydney’s economy from 1924 to 1932.

A close-up view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge gridwork and cars passing below from the perspective of the Pylon Museum lookout. The opposite shoreline is lined with residential homes and boats passing through the harbour.

View from the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout and Museum.

Take and Indigenous tour

Get a First Nations perspective on Warrane, the Indigenous name for Sydney. Join Dreamtime Southern X for a leisurely inner-city walk led by owner Margaret Campbell or one of her guides.

Experience the Indigenous connection to country or see the harbour from a Gadigal perspective on Aboriginal-guided tours of the Botanic Gardens. Learn about pre-colonial history and coastal life on a harbour cruise with Tribal Warrior or take the Burrawa Aboriginal Climb of the Harbour Bridge.

A man and a woman sit listening to an indigenous woman speak as she crouches and points to a water-filled rounded indent in rocks along the shore opposite the sunny Sydney harbour and city skyline.

Dreamtime Southern Cross tour. Credit: Tourism Australia

Get out on the water

There are myriad ways to get out on the harbour. Join a kayak tour or learn-to-surf lesson. Take a yacht charter for an afternoon or overnight getaway.

For thrills, spills and screams join a jetboat jaunt where a ‘360-degree view’ takes on a whole new meaning. The cheapest option is just to jump aboard a green and gold ferry and tootle around the harbour or visit to Cockatoo Island.

An aerial view of a red jetboat sailing across blue-green water and two long shadows of a bridge overhead in the sunny, Sydney Harbour.

Jetboat in the Sydney Harbour

Delve into history

Wander through lavishly furnished Vaucluse House to see how wealthy colonialists lived or join a scheduled tour of Strickland and Greycliffe Houses.

Lovers of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie can visit author May Gibbs’ historic home Nutcote, offering a window into her artistic life.

Military buffs will love the Tunnels & Gunners Tour of Georges Heights, the Defence of Sydney tour at North Head and the Sub Base Platypus tour. Join a Ghost Tour of the Quarantine Station or learn about those interred on a tour of Third Quarantine Cemetery at North Head.

A two level colonial style house, painted in a warm orange with brown trim, with a four poster veranda opening onto grass, hugged by trees under a bright blue sky.

Vaucluse House.

Waterside cafes

Enjoy coffee on the beach at colourful Camp Cove Kiosk. After a swim at Murray Rose Pool refuel at Red Leaf Café overlooking the beach.

Get pool, harbour and naval ship views at Oh Boy Sydney above Andrew Boy Charlton pool. Search out rustic Navy Bear at the Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association at Rushcutters Bay and Flying Bear at the Sydney Flying Squadron at Kirribilli, home of historic 18-footer skiffs.

Quirky Thelma & Louise squeezes over the water at Neutral Bay Wharf and Bella Vista offers expansive views from North Head Sanctuary.

A terra-cotta coloured brick, beachside cafe and kiosk for travel information, with a small patio of tables and chairs visible in the back and in front a passthrough window and sandy-covered steps leading onto the beach.