Looking at the forecast for the weekend, it was the perfect weather to get sweaty and cool off along Sydney’s coast.  However, I had one stop to make before the big adventure.

The Rocks Market runs every weekend between 10am – 5pm along George Street.  Several stands are actually open and ready for customers before 10am.  I started my day here with a nice breakfast at one of the local cafes and an hour or so perusing the local artisan stands.  The market extends past George Street into the cross streets and offers locally designed housewares, art, jewelry, and crafts. The architecture of the neighborhood reminded me of New Orleans and showcases the blend of the new and old.

There is also a good selection of food trucks and a cool sitting area under the Sydney Harbor Bridge.  I enjoyed looking up and seeing people walk along the bridge’s steel infrastructure (they’re participating in the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb). 

From there I grabbed lunch to go and made my way to the bus station to start my big adventure: a 10 km coastal hike from Spit to Manly. Google Maps wanted me to get off the bus at the stop after Spit bridge; however, because there are no designated crosswalks on the busy road so I felt a little like I was playing Frogger, I would recommend getting off the stop before the bridge.

However, after that rough start, the rest of the walk was just what I wanted.  A mix of paved path, boardwalks, wooded trails and stairs, the walk both offered views of the harbor and opportunities to enjoy the shade of wooded areas.  Large lizards and colorful birds (and luckily no snakes) were surprise finds along the way.  

Not far into the walk is the well established Clontarf Beach with toilets and a cafe, but I opted to walk a little further before taking my first break. I stopped for my first swim after about 1.5 miles of hiking at Castle Rock Beach. The small cove beach offered large rocks and some shade to set up a picnic lunch and reprieve.  On a warm day in February, the cool and clear water was just what I needed to reenergize for the next leg of the walk. 

And so I continued on, up and down the steps of the detour into the adjoining neighborhood where I envied the luxurious houses with stunning views of the coast, out to the Grotto Point to watch the sailboats crisscross the harbor, and back through the forest until about 5 miles into my hike, I finally made it to my next rest point: Reef Beach. 

Tucked away at Dobroyd Head, Reef Beach offers a larger expanse of sand, with not only shaded rock sections but also some grassy knolls. With my fear of encountering Australian snakes, I stuck to the rocks.   After talking with some experienced snorkelers, I assume that the beach got its name from the coral reefs just off the coast.  While I didn’t experience the reefs myself, they talked about seeing sea horses as well as fish along the reefs.  

From there, I set my sights on the endpoint: the beach town of Manly.  As I got closer and closer to the town, more and more people were lounging along the shore and enjoying the warm waters of the bay.  I wanted my last beach experience to be at the ocean side of Manly beach, so I kept on walking past the small harbor beaches, down the main street of Manly to the popular seaside beach.  

However, before I arrived in the town center, I visited the harbor side Manly Art Gallery and Museum, where I was awed by the talent of local high school artists on display. 

The vibe at Manly beach felt so different from the rest of the beaches on the walk. Instead of calm water and shaded coves, here was an expansive sand beach with surfers and beach volleyball. Like many of the nearby ocean beaches, the beach is sectioned off: swimmers with lifeguards on one side and surfers on the other.  I realized I wasn’t really ready to contend with the waves, so I just waded into the waters to give my feet and leg muscles a much needed final dip. 

I ended the day with some snacks and drinks along the Manly main street and harbor before boarding a ferry back to Sydney. The 20 minute ferry from Manly to Sydney departs every 15-30 minutes and passes the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge on its way to Circular Quay.

The day was long and exhausting, but in the best way. I slept well that night for sure.

Based on my February 2026 visit.