The Spit to Manly Walk is Sydney's most famous coastal bushwalk -- a spectacular 10-kilometre trail from the Spit Bridge in Mosman to Manly Wharf, weaving through Sydney Harbour National Park past hidden beaches, ancient Aboriginal rock engravings, and jaw-dropping harbour views. It's a proper adventure for families with kids aged 5 and up, and the finish at Manly with fish and chips and an iconic ferry ride home makes it genuinely unforgettable.

Why We Love It

• Clontarf Reserve is the perfect family pit stop at just 2.5km in, with a netted swimming enclosure ideal for young kids, a large modern playground, cafe, BBQs, and toilets -- some families make this their turnaround point.

• Ancient Aboriginal rock engravings at Grotto Point including a giant kangaroo carving over 6 metres long and estimated to be 1,000 years old -- an awe-inspiring moment for kids and adults alike.

• Six swimable beaches along the route so you can break the walk into manageable chunks with swim stops, from the netted enclosure at Clontarf to the calm waters of Forty Baskets Beach.

• Three great shorter options for younger families -- Spit to Clontarf (2.5km return), Fairlight to Manly (1.6km pram-friendly), or Dobroyd Head to Manly (5km, the easier half).

• The finish at Manly is a reward in itself with ice cream shops, fish and chips, the beach, and then the iconic Manly Ferry back to Circular Quay -- one of the world's great ferry rides.

• Playgrounds at three points along the walk -- Clontarf Reserve, Forty Baskets Beach, and North Harbour Reserve -- giving little legs a reason to keep going.