Taronga Zoo to Manly via the Scenic Walkway

On Labour Day, the (obsessed trailwalking) hubby and I decided to walk the Spit to Manly Scenic Walkway. We've lived our whole lives in Sydney but this was our first time doing the walk! Originally, our plan was to start from Manly, walk to the Spit and retrace our steps back to complete the 20km. Fortunately, a friend suggested to walk from Taronga Zoo to Manly instead. We took his advice and it was one of the most beautiful walks, ever (second to Otford Bundeena)! 

The weather was perfect, a blue sky dotted with clouds.  The trail was surprisingly busy with fellow walkers and lizards (we saw five lizards!!) on the public holiday. No map is required, the trail is evident and easy to follow although it would be useful to view a map prior to your walk. There were breathtaking views of Sydney’s Middle Harbour and some lovely picnic spots, perfect for a spring or summer day :)

 

Trail: Taronga Zoo to Manly (via the Manly Scenic Walkway from the Spit)

Distance: approx 20km

Transport: Catch a ferry to Taronga and from Manly back to Circular Quay station

Difficulty: Easy – short ascents and there is one long descent (but not very steep). If you went in reverse (i.e. Manly to Taronga Zoo, the difficulty would be easy to medium as there is an ascent at Balmoral beach which could be a slight challenge for the average Sunday stroller)

The view at Taronga Zoo wharf

Oh Sydney, you are so beautiful :) The view at the start of the trail

Iconic.

Can you spot Larry the LIZARD!!!

Pristine waters

I love the colour of the water here. This is currently my wallpaper on my iphone!

Can you spot Larry's brother???

Clontarf Beach

My favourite lookout spot!!

Otford to Bundeena (The Coast Track)

I heard about this track a couple years ago when a friend of mine recommended the trail as running ground to practice for the Oxfam 100km Trailwalk. After walking this track a couple weeks ago, all I can say is respect for any bush runners, it is no Sunday stroll in the park! I can say hands down, this is the most beautiful track I have ever experienced in Sydney so far (beats the Great North Walk and the Taronga Zoo to Manly – more on that in a future post). The views are spectacular and would be ideal spots for a spring picnic, a quiet yoga session or a dip in the secluded beaches. This is definitely a must-do track and I could just imagine spending my long summer days at the beaches here :)

Track: Otford to Bundeena
Distance: 26km
Transport: We drove which is $11 for entry into the National park. You could also catch the train to Otford and catch the ferry from Bundeena to Cronulla station.
Difficulty: There are two ascents which are fairly high and medium level of difficulty. The rest is quite flat or relatively easy descents.

The view at the start in Otford

Destination: Bundeena!

Treacherous walking paths hehe

This was a typical view when I took a look behind my shoulder :)

The most stunning view of one of the many secluded beaches :)

The track is right at the edge of the coast!

Breathtaking...

Can you spot the eagle?

Being so close to the edge of a cliff was so surreal!

I think this rock looks like a tofu! hehe