2 km
Queenscliff
The first climb out of Manly, with the coast opening up ahead
-33.7878, 151.2878Sydney, Australia
Manly to Dee Why return
Beaches out, beaches back, North Head to finish
- Distance
- 22.81 km
- Elevation
- 364 m
- Difficulty
- Hard
1 hr 55 – 2 hr 30 Out and back
An out-and-back from Manly to Dee Why past Queenscliff, Freshwater and Curl Curl, then a cliff-top loop around North Head to finish. Rolling headlands, ocean pools and one of the best long runs on the northern beaches.
CoastalSunriseNo Car NeededWeekend AdventureHard
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Get the complete route on your watch, plus the local detail that turns it into a memorable morning.
- GPX + Garmin download
- Elevation profile
- Printable terrain map
- Public transport info
- Photo-stop guide
- Coffee + brunch suggestions
The experience
Why you'll love this run
- Four northern beaches out and the same four back
- A cliff-top North Head loop to finish
- Ocean pools, headlands and sand the whole way
- Ferry access at Manly makes it a car-free long run
At a glance
- crowds
- scenery
- adventure
- technicality
- accessibility
Route map
Every stop, mapped
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Printable illustrated route card
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StartFinishWaterToiletsTransportCafeBeachLookoutLandmark Photo stop
Route timeline
Kilometre by kilometre
0 km
Manly
Set off north along the beachfront.
2 km
Queenscliff
First headland climb.
3 km
Freshwater
Beach, ocean pool and a short rise beyond.
5 km
Curl Curl
The flattest, fastest section of the run.
8 km
Dee Why
Turn around and retrace the coast south.
15 km
Back at Manly
Through Manly and out towards the headland.
19.5 km
North Head
A cliff-top loop above the harbour entrance.
22.8 km
Manly
Finish at the beachfront, close to the ferry.
Route highlights
The parts you'll remember
3 km
Freshwater Beach
A sheltered beach and ocean pool early in the run
-33.7805, 151.29015 km
Curl Curl
The flat beachfront stretch between the headlands
-33.7689, 151.29528 km
Dee Why turnaround
The northern end of the run, beside the sand, before you retrace the coast
-33.7551, 151.297319.5 km
North Head loop
A final cliff-top circuit above the harbour entrance before the finish
-33.8193, 151.2971Photo stops
Where to stop and shoot
- Queenscliff — The best early view of the run, with the beaches lined up ahead.
- Freshwater Beach — A classic Sydney beach scene a few kilometres in.
- Dee Why — The turnaround and a natural place to pause.
- North Head — Cliff tops and harbour entrance views in the closing kilometres.
Local knowledge
Before you go
- Best time to run
- Early morning, when the beachfront paths are quiet and the light is best.
- Sunrise
- Sunrise is straight off the ocean for the whole route.
- Sunset
- Late afternoon is cooler and quieter, though the headlands are exposed.
- Parking
- Paid parking around Manly; arrive early on weekends.
- Public transport
- The Manly ferry and buses make the start and finish easy without a car.
- Water
- Taps at Queenscliff, Curl Curl and Dee Why.
- Toilets
- Public toilets at each of the main beaches.
Safety
Headland sections use the footpath beside traffic — take the crossings and be visible in low light.
Getting there
- • Manly
3 water points · 0 toilet stops on route
Make a morning of it
Treat Dee Why as the halfway checkpoint: refill, eat something and head back steady.
- coffeeDee Why — Cafés right at the turnaround if you want a halfway coffee.
- swimManly ocean pool — A cold swim at the finish before the ferry.
- transportManly ferry — The best possible way to end a long run.
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