The best running trails in Sydney Harbour National Park

Yiningma lookout is a beautiful viewpoint set back from the cliff edge, with sweeping views along the rugged coastline and out to the open ocean, and is a well-known spot for whale watching during migration season. The lookout is accessible via Fairfax Walk and is a fantastic spot to capture a few memorable photos of the headland’s cliffs and the surrounding seascape.

Manly Scenic Walkway is a 10 kilometre one-way coastal walk from Spit Bridge to Manly, following the edge of Middle and North Harbour. The Grade 3 track takes around 3.5 to 4.5 hours, passing bushland, harbour beaches, and lookouts along the way. Highlights include Clontarf Beach, Reef Beach, Grotto Point’s Aboriginal engravings, and views from Dobroyd Head.

Taronga Zoo Sydney is a large harbourside zoo located on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour, directly opposite the city skyline. Opened in 1916, the zoo houses more than 4,000 animals representing hundreds of species from Australia and around the world. Its hillside setting offers sweeping harbour views while prioritising wildlife conservation, education, and breeding programs for threatened species. The zoo is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm.

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.