Bondi to Manly Walk

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Whale Watching | Your guide to the best spots on the Harbour

Whale watching season is upon us. The winter solstice, June 21 is the best time to look out for the giants of the sea so make sure to keep one of those June weekends free!

Below are our 8 favourite spots along the Walk to spend a day with your eyes on the horizon.

8. North Bondi Golf Course, Bondi

Set up a picnic on the rocky clifftop of the Golf Course and while you’re there, admire some of the most significant and spectacular Aboriginal rock engravings at the site.

7. Raleigh, Rodney and Weonga Reserve, Dover Heights

This one beautiful connected clifftop park. There’s the idyllic seat perched overlooking the sea at the Southern end in Raleigh Reserve, the huge dog friendly expanses and a playground for the kids at the northern end of Weonga Reserve.

6. Eastern Reserve, Dover Heights

Recently landscaped, Eastern Reserve is a small hidden ribbon of green perched high above the cliffs with sensational views as you search for the largest animal that ever lived.

5. Diamond Bay Reserve

Mobility friendly with parking on Chris Bang Crescent, this is a beautiful spot with equally beautiful views of the ocean. Definitely worth a family adventure!

4. Gap Park, Watsons Bay

Gap Park normally needs no introduction but we will say, if you’re lucky, whales have been known to come quite close to the The Gap as they pass us by heading North.

3. South Head

With 270 degree views of the water all around, there’s no doubting that South Head is one of the best whale spotting locations in Sydney - especially if the whales decide to come in to the Harbour. Park in Watsons Bay and access for South Head is a 3km loop.

2. Fairfax Lookout, North Head

While the Fairfax lookout is currently closed while they fix the fencing from the fires last year, it would be remiss of us not to mention it for any future whale watchers hoping to spot a whales spout.

1. Shelly Head Lookout

Another mobility friendly one, and a cruisy walk from Manly. Follow the foreshore walk from Manly to Shelly then take the stairs (or the little driveway) up to Bower Street carpark. From here you’ll see a series of beautiful lookouts overhanging the cliffs. A great spot for whale, dolphin or even sharks and penguin watching ;)

All the points listed have been identified on this map.

Enjoy!