We love Sydney, Australia and Sydneysiders (what residents call themselves) might be some of the planet’s healthiest people.
Formalized in 2009 Coastrek is Australia’s iconic team hiking challenge and featured Sydney hikes are the crown jewel. The Sydney routes journey along some of the most celebrated coastal trails in the world from Bondi to Manly.
Just by chance, on April 4th 2025 we unknowingly joined in one of the scheduled hikes out at Bondi Beach. It was a 50km (30 mile) hike, with 30km or 20km options. This Sydney hike was on the stunning and world-famous stretch of coastline from Bondi Beach to Coogee, and we joined thousands of trekkers if only for a few kilometers. The trek included all ages from seniors, young families and teens who were organized in teams of two or more. That morning they were headed out on an epic adventure promoted as fun, fitness, friends, fresh air and charity fundraising, proudly supporting Beyond Blue.
Manly To Spit Bridge Coastal Walk
Spit Bridge
While visiting Sydney on this trip, one of our goals was the “Manly to Spit Bridge Coastal Walk” described by Aussies as easy to moderate and covering only 10K (about 6 miles). It turned out their definition of “easy” and ours are seriously different as well as the distinction between a walk and a hike!
As a matter of convenience, our group selected to start from Spit Bridge and finish at the ferry dock in Manly, making it easy to catch the ferry back to Circular Quay. From the Manly ferry dock we caught the 144 bus from the park across the street from the visitor’s center. We exited the bus on the far side of Spit Bridge and found the entrance to the trail well marked. The hike is 10K and rated easy to moderate suggesting a time of about 3.5 hours to complete.
Most of the walk’s first third, starting from Spit Bridge, is best characterized as wooded trail and bush with numerous ups and downs on carved rock staircases. After that there is a flat stretch that follows the shoreline for a couple of kilometers. Two sections require navigating a rocky shore that can be submerged during high tide but there are detours on higher ground to avoid the water. For the next couple of kilometers, the trail climbs up to 900 feet above sea level to a grassy crest. The remaining walk is through urban neighborhoods of Manly with some steep sections, finally ending at the Manly ferry terminal.
We started our hike from Spit Bridge with breakfast at Plonk Beach Cafe and finished with beers and snacks at 4 Pines Brewpub just a block from the ferry terminal. All in all an auspicious start and a perfect finish…
A Personnel Observation – I’m aware that Aussies are outdoor people and hiking is a national pastime but, after doing “The Manly To Spit Bridge Coastal Walk,” there’s no way to classify this as an easy walk – it’s a serious hike. There is a constant series of ups and downs on rough rock stairs followed by a stretch of rocky shoreline in places that are under water at high tide and it climbs up to a height of 900 feet above sea level for over a kilometer!
Plonk Beach Cafe – Located under the Spit Bridge and in a marina, this cafe offers great views from an outdoor deck. It’s operated by a friendly Moroccan family that blends Moroccan spices with eggs and croissants for a surprisingly good breakfast.
4 Pines Brewpub – Located a half block from the Manly Ferry Terminal, this micro-brewery and pub is very popular with the locals offering a wide range of beers on tap along with light pub fare. A great place to end a good day...
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