Manly to Dee Why
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A stunning Northern Beaches coastal walk linking Manly and Dee Why via headlands, surf beaches and bushland paths.
Distance: 6.5 km
Time: 2 hours
Steps: 11,000
Level of difficulty: Moderate -
Manly Beach & Queenscliff Ocean Pool
The Wormhole at Queenscliff
Freshwater Beach & McKillop Park
Curl Curl Beach & headland pools
North Curl Curl Pool (cliff-side ocean pool)
Dee Why Beach & ocean pool
Cafes, playgrounds & picnic reserves along the route
Fabulous ocean views
Seasonal whale and dolphin sightings
Spring–summer brings coastal wildflowers and active birdlife
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To get to Manly via public transport there are a few options:
The ferry from Circular Quay takes between 20 and 30 minutes
The 170 X runs morning and evening peak hours between Wynyard and Manly
The 199 bus begins in Palm Beach and services many Northern Beaches stops
The 144 bus connects the North Shore with Manly Wharf and stops include Mosman, Neutral Bay and Chatswood
By car:
Manly Beach is approximately 30 minutes from Sydney’s CBD depending on traffic (and Spit Bridge openings).
Manly beach is approximately 30 minutes from Sydney’s CBD depending on traffic (and Spit Bridge openings).Parking along the beachfront is mostly 2 hours but side streets and car parks allow parking for longer periods.
The 199 bus connects Manly and Dee Why (around 20 mins)
Walk can be done in either direction
Low tide allows for optional rock platform walking near Queenscliff and Freshwater
Some headland sections are mossy and slippery after rain
Limited shade on exposed headlands — sun protection is recommended
Toilets, change rooms and water available at all main beaches
This is another one of those stunning Northern Beaches walks that follows the coastline, winding its way along rugged cliffs and golden sandy beaches, and through pockets of lush coastal vegetation.
The walk links two of the area’s longest and most popular beaches and is part of the much longer (not quite complete) Northern Beaches Coastal Walk, that stretches 36 kilometres from Manly to Palm Beach.
You’ll pass a string of ocean pools, reserves and lookouts, and there are cafes and amenities at every beach. And depending on the season, you may spot humpback whales or dolphins along the way.
MANLY TO DEE WHY WALK
Distance 6.5 km Steps 11000
Time 2 hours Level of Difficulty Moderate
WALKING THE TRAIL
Manly Beach to Queenscliff
The walk begins at Manly Beach. Bondi is arguably Australia’s best known beach, but according to millions of travellers, Manly is its best*. Most days, no matter the season, surfers line up along the waves with swimmers, while volleyball players hit the sand and walkers, runners, rollerbladers and cyclists take to the promenade.
The main ocean stretch includes South Steyne, North Steyne and Queenscliff Beaches. Follow the beachfront path (or the sand), north toward Queenscliff.
Queenscliff Beach and Ocean Pool
At the end of the beach you’ll reach Queenscliff Ocean Pool. If the tide is rising, take the stairs beside the pool to continue. At low tide, you may want to detour to the nearby Wormhole before climbing up.
The Wormhole, also known as the Queenscliff Tunnel, dates back to 1908. It was apparently carved out by local fishermen as a shortcut between Manly and Freshwater. The passage is partly blocked today, but it’s still worth stepping through for the framed ocean view.
The Wormhole, Queenscliff
Queenscliff to Freshwater
From the Wormhole, retrace your steps to the pool and climb the stairs.
From the pool stairs, the path winds via Queenscliff Road, Pavilion Street and Bridge Road to Irene Crump Reserve, then down to Freshwater Beach.
Freshwater Beach
Freshwater Beach (or Freshy as it’s known) is tiny compared to Manly and not nearly as busy. Waves are usually on the smaller side which makes this a popular place for families to swim and new surfers to practice.
There’s a small playground and picnic area in the reserve behind the beach. The surf club has a small cafe, and the cafe attached to Pilu Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch.
Freshwater to Curl Curl
From Freshwater Beach, continue via the path near the rockpool up to McKillop Park and onto the boardwalk toward Curl Curl. Or, if it’s low tide, you can walk on the rocks beyond the pool and then back up to join the boardwalk beyond the Reserve.
South Curl Curl (or Curly) and North Curl Curl share one long sweep of sand, backed by Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve — a grassy off-leash dog area. Ocean pools and surf club facilities sit at both ends, and a cafe overlooks South Curl Curl.
Continue toward North Curl Curl Pool, tucked into the base of the headland. This pool is something of a hidden gem - large, tranquil at low tide, and partly cut off from the beach at high tide.
Ocean pool, North Curl Curl
Curl Curl to Dee Why
From North Curl Curl Pool the walk climbs up onto Dee Why headland.
The final leg to Dee Why is along a bush path that runs in front of headland homes. The path undulates and there are some stairs. Take care in the wet as some sections are mossy and slippery.
In the spring and summer, wildflowers abound along this trail and you’ll likely see a variety of birds feeding and nesting in the area. In migration season, whales can be spotted from this and many of the other lookouts along the path.
Rounding the final bend, Dee Why Beach opens out in a wide arc toward Long Reef Headland.
Dee Why tidal pool
Dee Why Beach is around 1.2 km long if you measure to the lagoon, longer if you include Long Reef Beach beyond it.
Approaching it from the south end you’ll pass the ocean pool which is 50 metres long and has a toddler area beside it. There are change rooms and toilets just up from the pool and a large reserve with a playground beyond that.
The Strand, which runs behind this end of the beach, is filled with cafes and restaurants and is a good place to stop for some refreshments before heading back.
In the area
As in Manly, there is plenty to see and do in this part of the Northern Beaches.
You can keep walking if you like and continue all the way to Palm Beach, although given that it’s over 20 km away, that stretch is best tackled in sections on another day. The walk to Long Reef or Collaroy is much shorter and worth adding on to this one if you still have the energy.
Long Reef Aquatic Reserve is alive with marine creatures and is largely accessible, especially at low tide. Marine life attracts bird life and this area has one of the most diverse range of bird species in NSW. Regular visitors to the area include Ospreys, Nankeen Kestrels, Sea Eagles and White-faced Herons and the local Pelicans are never far away from a catch.
Dee Why Lagoon Wildlife Refuge sits behind the beach, and the water and remnant bushland here cover an area of around 77 hectares. A trail runs between the refuge and the beach and offers an alternative route (and view) to the sand at high tide.
Pathway to Dee Why Lagoon
* Manly was rated number one Australian beach by TripAdvisor 2024 and 2025
LAST UPDATED JANUARY 2026