Enjoy these cool spots for a shady summer walk
Don’t let the heat of the summer sun stop you getting your steps up this year.
We’ve found these cool spots to take a shady summer walks on the Northern Beaches.
Stony Range
Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden is a haven of bushland situated in the heart of Dee Why, just a short bus ride from Manly. There are a number of different walks to choose from, ranging from easy to moderate. It’s a great place for the less mobile to enjoy the bush because the walk follows a well-defined flat pathway, making it perfect for prams and wheelchairs.
Pack a picnic for this walk because you may never want to leave this cool, serene sanctuary. If you’re a keen or budding botanist, you’ll appreciate that most plants are labelled and there is plenty of background information about the plants and animals of the area.
Grade: Easy to moderate, depending on choice of path
Walk type: Two-way or circuit
Distance: Varies – up to 2km
Walk time: Up to 35 minutes
Potential hazards: Steeper inclines towards the top of the garden and mossy paths in shaded areas
Allenby Park
Discover one of our area’s best-kept secrets. Tucked between Beacon Hill, Allambie Heights and Brookvale, Allenby Park covers 42 hectares. You’ll forget you’re in Sydney as you slip into this tranquil, stunning pocket of natural bush. Picturesque waterfalls, mossy boulders and panoramic views of the coast await! Unfortunately, the park is not accessible to prams or wheelchairs as it is full of steps and narrow dirt paths. Take the bus to Warringah Mall and walk through Brookvale to Clearview Place, where you will join the trail and escape from the city to serenity.
Grade: Medium
Distance: 2.5km of various trails
Walking time: 30-60 minutes
Path: Formed track, steep hills, some obstacles, steps
Manly Dam (Manly Warringah War Memorial State Park)
This extensive, tranquil bushland valley contains Sydney’s largest freshwater lake created by the damming of Curl Curl Creek in 1892. The park and bushland here offer many different options including heritage-, wildflower- and Aboriginal-themed walks.
On a hot day, choose one of the bushland tracks that snake through the dense trees and stick close to the water. There are a handful of spots to swim if you want to cool down.
Buses won’t take you right to the dam. Jump off at Manly Vale, corner of Candamine and King Sts and walk about 30 minutes to the gates, or if you are taking a car, enter from King St.
Grade: Medium
Distance: Various – Park Circuit Track is 7.3km
Walking time: Various – Park Circuit Track is 3 hours
Path: Formed track, some obstacles, some steep sections, many steps, sections of the track are shared with mountain bikers
Warriewood Wetlands
If you’re willing to travel a little further along our beautiful Northern Beaches, catch a bus to Warriewood Wetlands, the largest remaining sandplain wetland in Sydney. The long boardwalks provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the natural attributes of the largest remaining wetland in Sydney without getting your feet wet. Ducks, birds, frogs and turtles inhabit this area, which is particularly enjoyed by birdwatchers looking out for the powerful owl, the endangered regent honeyeater and the goshawk. More than 80 species of birds have been logged in this relatively small area.
Grade: Easy
Distance: 2.4km
Walking time: 45-60 minutes
Path: Boardwalk, formed track, some footpaths, some steps
Irrawong Reserve and Waterfall
Not far from the Warriewood Wetlands you’ll discover this track to a gorgeous waterfall. Access is via Garden Street or the end of Irrawong Road (corner of Epworth Avenue) in Warriewood. Either catch the 185 bus, or if driving, limited parking is available on Garden Street or Irrawong Road.
The walk from the Garden Street entrance to the waterfall will take about 20 minutes. It is relatively manageable for most fitness levels because much of it is quite flat and along cleared paths or wooden boardwalks. However, there are steps in sections, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
This rainforest walk is perfect for a hot summer’s day. You will be surrounded by swamp mahogany forest with wet sclerophyll, cabbage tree palms and ferns. If you’re lucky you might spot some of the local wildlife – there are many birds and maybe even a lyrebird.
The waterfall clearing is a popular picnic spot, but the size of the clearing (and the 6m waterfall flow) depends on recent rainfall. It can also be a little muddy so please be careful. There are walks beyond the waterfall but the track is steep and has many steps.
Grade: Easy
Distance: 1km
Walking time: 20 minutes
Path: Boardwalk, formed track, some footpaths, some steps
Potential hazards: mud and slippery conditions