The Dee Why to Manly walk is one of the best coastal walks in Sydney. With incredible ocean views for almost the entire way, the chance to visit four gorgeous beaches and the picturesque Manly Wormhole, it really does have it all.

It’s an easy walk with a good path and plenty of places to stop for a swim along the way.

It’s a great trail in any season, but especially in spring, with the opportunity to whale watch and see the wild flowers. These pepper small sections of the track and add a little bit of magic to the vegetation.

Here’s what to expect on the Dee Why to Manly walk.

Dee Why to Manly Walk

The stats

Distance: 6.4km
Elevation: 100m
Difficulty: Easy (or moderate via the low tide trail)
Type of trail: One way

The Dee Why to Manly track is an easy walk, with only the occasional moderate incline. We recommend allowing two hours to do the walk at a very leisurely pace.

Unlike coastal trails like the Coogee to Maroubra, or Bondi to Watsons Bay, this walk has a dedicated path away from the road and residential areas for the whole way if you are able to take the low tide route :-)

Which direction to choose

We’ve walked the trail in both directions and haven’t really noticed any difference in difficulty. Just pick the option which suits your plans better. For us this time it was starting in Dee Why, because there is plenty of non time restricted free parking, as opposed to Manly where parking is a nightmare!

Starting the trail at Dee Why Beach

We started the track at Dee Why Surf Lifesaving Club and headed along the promenade behind the beach for 500m before arriving at two great little ocean baths.

You then need to climb the staircase behind the pools up into the small garden.

From here the path is obvious the entire way. You’ll walk on a narrow track which gently undulates along the cliff top with fabulous views out to the ocean.

Looking behind you also gives a great view of Dee Why Beach and Long Reef Headland.

Along the cliff tops to Curl Curl Beach

There are some little board-walked sections, which are particularly pretty and had some gorgeous wild flowers lining both sides of the trail.

It was the first time we’d done this walk outside of winter, so we weren’t expecting them and it really did add something special to the track.

After 1.6km you’ll come to Tea Tree Lookout which is a really good spot for whale watching (one of many along the walk).

Another 400m later and you’ll get your first views of the gorgeous Curl Curl Beach, there are lots of little side trails to the left which offer amazing views and great rocky platforms for a picnic.

The trail then descends down to the beach (access is a minute from the track through the car park) and you can choose to either walk along the sand (which is soft so it can be a bit tiring) or on the walkway behind the beach.

If you can’t get enough of the views you need to stick to the beach because the vegetation obscures the view on the walkway until right at the end.

Onto Freshwater Beach

At the end of Curl Curl Beach, take the path behind the rock pool and the track continues at the far end of the car park.

You’ll hit another very pretty section of boardwalk with another gorgeous patch of wildflowers, and the ocean views continue.

At the end of the boardwalk the track will take you up a staircase, and very briefly along the road, before you can cut onto a side trail to your left and walk along the wide rock ledges, until you reach Freshwater ocean bath.

You’ll then cross the length of the beach before coming to a decision on which route you want to take - if it’s low tide!

If it’s high tide you have no choice and have to take the staircase up off the beach and onto the pavement, before following it round to Manly Beach. If it’s low tide, then you can have a fun adventure around the cliffside on a path that not many people take.

Adventuring along the low tide route and finding the Manly Wormhole

If it’s low tide and you’re up for a fair bit of rock hopping, we’d recommend taking the scenic route round from Freshwater. If you’ve done the Figure of 8 Pools, it’s a bit like that - a shorter distance, but very similar terrain.

The rock hopping lasts for 500m but it’s fairly slow going, whilst the rocks aren’t slippery, some require a bit of clambering over and there are very few stretches where you’re not climbing on rocks.

Having said that, I definitely prefer this route, the views are great and it feels like more of an adventure.

The rock scramble between Manly and Freshwater

You’ll then arrive at a big rock platform and the Manly Wormhole, which is a tunnel that runs through the rock towards Manly Beach.

It’s a really cool spot, with great views at either end. We were here just before sunset, which gave some really nice soft light and it’s a lovely time to be there if you get the chance.

Finishing the walk

After the wormhole you have 150m more walking along the rocks - but it’s a rocky platform this time, which is much easier - before you arrive at Queenscliff ocean bath. You will pass this spot on the high tide route so you could always divert to the wormhole without having to do much rock-hopping if you have taken the high tide route.

From the rockpool you finish the trail by walking along the beach. We stopped at the surf club which is where our bus stop was, but you continue on to the ferry instead, which adds on another 1km.

Manly beach on the Dee Why to Manly Walk

If you’re in the mood for a longer walk you could continue onto Shelly Beach which is roughly 1.5km (one way).

If you’re interested in other walks around Manly, we have you covered in this post.

Packing suggestions for the walk

Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:

Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon

Essential information about the Dee Why to Manly Walk

Getting to the trailheads

If you’re planning on driving, we recommend starting at Dee Why and parking by the North Steyne Surf Club on North Steyne Road which has unlimited free parking. Most of the parking in Manly is limited to two hours which will feel rushed given you also need to catch a bus back from Dee Why.

It’s an easy walk to do in either direction by public transport, as you can catch the ferry to Manly or the B1 bus from Town Hall to Dee Why.

Regular buses run between Manly and Dee Why and take around 20 minutes.

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