The best running trails in North Harbour Aquatic Reserve

This track is an easy loop along the headland, with plenty of beautiful panoramic views of the ocean along the way. The path winds through open grassy areas and low coastal scrub, offering several natural viewpoints and benches overlooking the water and the beach. It’s a relaxed, scenic route that invites you to stay a while and take in the breathtaking views.

Bluefish Track is a lovely route that connects heathland, coastal cliffs, and historic military sites. The track is generally well-formed with easy gradients, passing through open scrub and sections of low woodland. It connects key points such as the gun pits and nearby lookouts, combining natural scenery with layered history, making it a fantastic route for an easy walk or an educational family outing.

The World War II Gun Pits at North Head are concrete coastal defence emplacements built to help protect Sydney Harbour during the war. The four pits sit in exposed positions overlooking the ocean, reflecting their strategic role in monitoring and defence. Today, the remains are open to visitors and are a stark historical contrast to the surrounding coastal landscape.

Manly Dam is a heritage‑listed site built in 1892 as the area’s original water supply, it was later upgraded several times before shifting to a recreational destination. You can follow lakeside trails, swim in the reservoir, or enjoy a picnic in the surrounding reserve. The water and catchment now support a mix of outdoor activities, while the historic concrete gravity dam still stands as a striking feature in the landscape.

Manly Dam Reserve is an easy escape into bushland on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. You can walk the 7.3 km circuit for lake views, wildflowers, and eucalypt forest, or head straight to the water for a swim or paddle. This area forms part of the traditional lands of the Gayamaygal and Garigal peoples, with Aboriginal heritage sites adding depth and history to the landscape. Birdlife is active all day, and you might spot a swamp wallaby if you stay into the late afternoon.

Tucked inside Cabbage Tree Bay, Shelly Beach is a sheltered cove and a favourite swimming spot at the northern end of Manly. Unlike most beaches along this stretch of coast, it faces west, which keeps the water calmer and makes it ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and stand-up paddleboarding. The beach sits within the protected Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, so it’s common to see fish close to shore in the clear water. A grassy reserve and café sit just behind the sand, making it an easy place to pause before continuing along the coastal path.

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve protects the clear waters between Manly Beach and Shelly Beach and is one of Sydney’s best spots to see marine life close to shore. Fishing is prohibited here, allowing fish populations to thrive, and snorkelers often spot blue gropers, rays, and large schools of fish in the calm bay. A popular underwater nature trail with information plaques sits just offshore near Shelly Beach. Even from the coastal path above, the protected bay’s clear water often reveals fish swimming below.

Manly Wharf is a busy harbourfront hub where ferries arrive and depart, linking the Northern Beaches with central Sydney. First built in 1855 and rebuilt between 1939 and 1941, the heritage‑listed wharf now combines its historic role as a transport terminal with an expansive promenade of cafés, shops, and open views across the water. It marks both the start and finish of the famous Manly ferry journey, anchoring the town’s connection between the harbour and nearby ocean beaches.