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Manly Dam Nature Trail

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

3.2 km Return

150 m

Moderate track
A short walk along the southern hill above Manly Dam, with great views and fantastic scenery. One of the few tracks in the Manly Dam area where you won’t get run over by bike riders, this is a great walk for those looking for something short and peaceful. Look out for black snakes and goannas along the way, especially in the McComb Hill area.

Maps for the Manly Dam Nature Trail walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
Parramatta River 1:25 000 Map Series 91303N PARRAMATTA RIVER NSW-91303N
Sydney Heads 1:25 000 Map Series 91302N SYDNEY HEADS NSW-91302N
Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 SYDNEY 9130

Cross sectional view of the Manly Dam Nature Trail bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Manly Dam Nature Trail

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length 3.2 km
Time 1 hr 30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track 		AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 920m of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 660m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 1.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 520m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.6km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.1km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 450m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 450m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Manly Dam Nature Trail walk.
Manly Dam Circuit Walk
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This is the main walk around Manly Dam, and is popular for both walkers and bike riders. Prepare for spectacular views from both sides of the dam, along well managed trails. Good spots to break include the picnic areas on King St. Features of this walk include walking the bridge across the top of the dam and the beach on the north side. Watch out for bike riders as this is a shared track. (This walk has changed since these notes were written, the track notes are now somewhat out of date sorry)

Total climbing: 251m

7.3 km Circuit
3 hrs

Moderate track


Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Manly Dam Nature Trail walk.
Engravings Track
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Starting at Seaforth Oval, this walk follows the Engravings track parallel to the Wakehurst Parkway to the end of Bantry Bay Road, Forestville. The first half of the walk is along bush track and the second half follows a service trail. The engravings, after which this track is named, are fenced off to protect the area, the fence limits the view of the rock platform and engravings.

Total climbing: 39m

2.2 km One way
45 mins

Moderate track

Seaforth Oval to Davidson Park
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The Seaforth to Davidson Park walk is a wonderful and historic loop around Bantry Bay. The walk continues from Bantry Bay, along Middle Harbour’s treelined foreshore, to Davidson Park. This walk explores some wonderful bush and water views tucked into the valleys of Sydney.

Total climbing: 491m

10 km One way
4 hrs 30 mins

Hard track

Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay
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Starting at Seaforth Oval, this walk follows a section of the ‘Harbour to Hawkesbury’ track along Middle Harbour Creek. The walk has many highlights, including great views of Bantry Bay, the Historic Magazine Buildings and the Natural Bridge. This walk is blessed with great bushland and views of Middle Harbour. Stop and relax, or wet your toes, at Flat Rock beach before the last section to Davidson Picnic Area.

Total climbing: 491m

10 km One way
4 hrs

Hard track

Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout
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This great return walk starts from Seaforth oval and follows the Timbergetters Track down to Bantry Bay, and the pleasant waterfront picnic area. The walk then climbs steadily, out of the valley, to the Bluff Lookout. From this lookout you can see all the way across Middle Harbour.

Total climbing: 363m

5.4 km Return
3 hrs

Hard track

Timber Getters Track
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Starting at Seaforth Oval, this walk explores the historic logging track that heads down to the picnic area on the eastern shore of Banty Bay. The picnic area is a great spot to relax and enjoy the water, and bush views, before heading back up to Seaforth oval. This is just one section of the greater Harbour to Hawkesbury walk.

Total climbing: 120m

1.8 km Return
1 Hr

Hard track

Flat Rock Beach track
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This short walk starts from the end of Killarney Drive, in Killarney Heights and heads down the hill to Flat Rock Beach. The beach is a secluded sandy area on the shores of Middle Harbour. A nice spot for swimming, relaxing and enjoying the boats as they pass by.

Total climbing: 50m

516 m Return
20 mins

Moderate track

North Arm Walking Track
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Following the edge of Middle Harbour, this walk has excellent views and Special spots, including the views from the end of North Arm Rd and the trail near the Mannerim Rd Turnoff. The change in the track from bush track to mangroves and mudflats south of the Pump Station gives a good feel of the diversity of environments that can be found in the area.

Total climbing: 145m

3.1 km One way
2 hrs

Moderate track

Spit Bridge to Manly (Manly Scenic Walkway)
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The Spit to Manly walk is a classic bushwalk on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The walk follows a well-maintained track and provides beautiful views over Middle Harbour. This walk is great for those looking for exercise or just a stroll along the shoreline of Sydney Harbour. If you have time, the sidetrips down to Grotto Point and up to Arabanoo Lookout are definitely worth the effort. There are also a few places to get a bite to eat along the way.

Total climbing: 349m

9.1 km One way
3 hrs 45 mins

Moderate track

Spit Bridge to North Harbour Reserve
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This loop walk from the Spit Bridge is an interesting walk with many different things to see and do along the way. The walk passes Ellery’s Punt Reserve, Sandy Bay and goes along the shoreline to Castle Rock Beach. The walk crosses Dobroyd Head and comes around to Reef Beach, which is a great place for lunch. The walk then heads back to the start via the roads.

Total climbing: 381m

8.7 km Circuit
4 hrs

Moderate track

Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts
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This scenic walk takes you from the Spit Bridge, along the coast to explore the Middle Head Forts. There are a few alternate routes for use at high tide or high seas. Balmoral Beach offers a few spots for a coffee or fish and chips along the way. Middle Head offers plenty of options for exploring the old forts and enjoying a view out the heads.

Total climbing: 172m

6.1 km One way
2 hrs 30 mins

Hard track

Spit to Lindfield
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This full day walk starts at the southern end of the Spit Bridge and explores a lot of Garigal National Park and Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows the ‘Harbour to Hawkesbury’ track into Garigal National Park, skirting around Bantry Bay and along Middle Harbour Creek before crossing Roseville Bridge. The walk continues to explore the other side of Garigal, before leaving the National Park and arriving at Lindfield train station.

Total climbing: 1181m

22.6 km One way
9 hrs 45 mins

Hard track

Spit Bridge to Fisher Bay
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This track from the Spit Bridge to Fisher Bay is a great little loop which also visits Sandy Bay. The track is well maintained, allowing you to fully enjoy the harbour views. Allow some extra time, as you may need to wait for the regular opening of the Spit Bridge.

Total climbing: 146m

3.6 km Circuit
1 hr 30 mins

Hard track


Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Manly Dam Nature Trail walk starts and ends at the Manly Dam South Bank (gps: -33.782543, 151.25565)
Your transport options to Manly Dam South Bank are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)



Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Comments

 


Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/mdnt


Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂