Spit Bridge

Spit Bridge is a striking steel-and-concrete bascule bridge that carries the Wakehurst Parkway over Middle Harbour in Sydney's northern suburbs. While it's primarily a functional piece of infrastructure, the area around the bridge offers excellent walking, cycling, and water-based activities, making it a worthwhile stop for travellers exploring the Northern Beaches and Manly region.

Highlights & What to See

• Spit Bridge to Manly Walk: This iconic 10 km coastal walk begins at Spit Bridge and winds through Sydney Harbour National Park, offering jaw-dropping views of the harbour, secluded beaches, and native bushland. It's one of Sydney's best urban bushwalks.
• Bridge Opening Times: If you time it right, you can watch the bridge lift to let boats pass – a mini engineering spectacle that happens several times a day (check the local schedule).
• Middle Harbour Kayaking: Hire a kayak or join a guided tour to paddle under the bridge and explore the calm, protected waters of Middle Harbour, with plenty of inlets and sandy coves to discover.
• Clontarf Beach: Just south of the bridge, this sheltered beach is perfect for a picnic, a swim, or a barbecue with harbour views. The grassy reserve is popular with families and offers a great vantage point for the bridge.
• Fishing from the Spit: The rocky foreshore near the bridge is a favourite local fishing spot, with bream, flathead, and whiting often caught. Bring your rod for a relaxed afternoon.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 1–2 hours at Spit Bridge itself, including a short walk along the foreshore or a picnic at Clontarf Beach. If you're tackling the full Spit Bridge to Manly Walk, set aside 3–4 hours for the one-way trek (with time for stops). To combine the walk with a kayak or paddle, plan for a half-day to fully soak up the scenery.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Manly: A vibrant beachside suburb with a famous surf beach, the Manly Corso, and ferry connections to Circular Quay – the perfect endpoint for the coastal walk.
• Balgowlah & North Harbour Reserve: A quiet, leafy suburb with a lovely reserve offering swimming nets, a boat ramp, and more walking trails along the harbour.
• Mosman & Taronga Zoo: Head south to Mosman for upmarket cafes and the excellent Taronga Zoo, which has world-class animal exhibits and stunning harbour views.
• Northern Beaches (Dee Why, Freshwater, Curl Curl): A short drive north takes you to a string of legendary surf beaches, each with its own laid-back vibe and coastal walks.
• Sydney Harbour National Park (Middle Harbour section): The parkland around the bridge offers numerous bushwalking tracks, Aboriginal rock engravings, and quiet picnic spots away from the crowds.

Please check official sources for current details.