Sydney, Australia

Palm Beach to Collaroy

The full northern beaches ocean run

Distance
21.51 km
Elevation
339 m
Time
1 hr 50 – 2 hr 25
Difficulty
Hard
Type
Point to point

A long ocean-side run down the northern beaches, linking Palm Beach, Avalon, Newport, Mona Vale, Warriewood and Narrabeen before finishing at Collaroy. Rolling headlands, beach after beach and one of the best long runs in Sydney.

CoastalWeekend AdventureNo Car NeededSunriseHard

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Run Palm Beach to Collaroy with confidence

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

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The experience

Why you'll love this run

  • Beach after beach along the full length of the northern beaches
  • A genuine long run without leaving the coast
  • Taps, toilets and cafés at regular intervals
  • One bus ride sets up the whole point-to-point

At a glance

scenery
accessibility
technicality
crowds
adventure

Route map

Every stop, mapped

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Printable illustrated route card

We'll email the free GPX file — drop it into Garmin Connect and send it to your watch.

StartFinishWaterToiletsTransportCafeBeachLookoutLandmark Photo stop

Route timeline

Kilometre by kilometre

  1. 0 km

    Palm Beach

    Set off south along the ocean side.

  2. 5.4 km

    Avalon Beach

    First major beach, with taps and toilets.

  3. 10.8 km

    Newport Beach

    Halfway. Refill and settle into a rhythm.

  4. 16.8 km

    Warriewood to Narrabeen

    Flatter and faster towards the final beaches.

  5. 21 km

    Collaroy

    Finish beside the beachfront, close to the bus stop.

Route highlights

The parts you'll remember

5.4 km

Avalon Beach

One of the great northern beaches, roughly a quarter of the way in

-33.6178, 151.3353

16.8 km

Warriewood to Narrabeen

The flat, fast section that carries you towards the finish

-33.6942, 151.3106

Photo stops

Where to stop and shoot

Avalon Beach

A classic northern beaches view early in the run.

Best time
Sunrise, with light straight off the ocean
Photography tip
Shoot from the southern end so the headland frames the bay.
GPS
-33.6178, 151.3353

Newport Beach

A good place to pause, drink and reset for the second half.

Best time
Early morning
Photography tip
Wait for a set to break and keep the horizon level.
GPS
-33.6553, 151.3224

Collaroy beachfront

The reward view as the kilometres run out.

Best time
Late afternoon, with warm light on the dunes
Photography tip
Shoot along the beach to compress the curve of the coast.
GPS
-33.7338, 151.3033

Local knowledge

Before you go

Best time to run
Early morning — the coast is quiet and the beach taps are all open.
Sunrise
Sunrise is straight off the ocean for almost the whole route.
Sunset
Late afternoon is warm and calm, but plan the bus home before dark.
Parking
Street parking at Palm Beach; it fills quickly on weekends.
Public transport
The B-Line runs the length of the beaches, so bus to Palm Beach and run home to Collaroy.
Water
Taps and showers at each beach reserve along the way.
Toilets
Public toilets at the main beaches on the route.

Safety

A long run with road shoulder sections — carry water, take the crossings and be visible in low light.

Getting there

  • • Collaroy

2 water points · 0 toilet stops on route

Make a morning of it

Run it north to south so the bus trip happens before the run, not after it.

  • coffeeCollaroy — Beachfront cafés at the finish, right by the bus stop.
  • swimOcean swim — Cool the legs in the surf or one of the rock pools before heading home.
  • transportB-Line — The express bus makes the trip back up the coast simple.

Ready to run Palm Beach to Collaroy?

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