Sydney's Coastline - Collaroy Beach to Newport Beach

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Route: Collaroy Beach, Narrabeen Beach, South Creek/Narrabeen Lagoon, North Narrabeen Headland, Turimetta Beach, Turimetta Head, Warriewood Park, Warriewood Lookout, Warriewood Beach, Mona Vale Headland Park, Mova Vale Beach, Basin Beach, Mona Vale Headland Reserve, Barrenjoey Road, Karloo Parade, Myola Road, Newport Beach

Date: 22/11/2020
From: Fishermans Beach

Parking: N/A
Start Point: Fishermans Beach
Finish Point: Newport Beach
Region: Sydney

Route length: 7.4 miles (11.9km)
Time taken: 02:55
Average speed: 2.6mph
Ascent: 220m
Descent: 210m

Points of Interest: Collaroy Beach, Narrabeen Lagoon, Narrabeen Headland, Turimetta Head, Mona Vale Beach, Mona Vale Headland

Continuing my exploration of the extensive Sydney coastline, I decided to use a warm but overcast day to pick up the northward trek between Manly and Palm Beach. The previous stretch (Manly to Collaroy) had landed us at the southern end of the extensive Collaroy Beach so I hopped on the bus from Sydney, disembarking close to where we finished the last time we were out.

Most of the route between Collaroy and Newport Beach is along or next to the Northern Beaches' longest stretches of sand and none are longer than Collaroy itself.

Fisherman's Beach and Long Reef Point

Technically, the stretch of sand at Collaroy is made up of two beaches; Collaroy and Narrabeen, Narrabeen having been the name for the entire area prior to 1881. When the S.S. Collaroy ran aground that year the area was renamed. The two beaches form one continuous 3.4km surf beach, popularised in the Beach Boys song 'Surfin USA' (Narrabeen is mentioned in the first chorus, I had to look it up). The 3.4km beach translates to 3.4km of arduous walking on sand - best done in the wet sand next to the surf.

Collaroy Beach

Collaroy Beach

Australian beaches are famed for their strong rip currents

Collaroy Beach

Many properties back right on to the beach which, most of the time, is pretty idyllic. However, Collaroy-Narrabeen Beach is vulnerable to erosion from coastal storms and is ranked Australia’s third most at risk area from coastal processes. In February 2020 the area suffered significant erosion, with the beach retreating about 25m. It was also rumoured that the February storm washed a Great White shark into Narrabeen Lagoon but, while the video footage shows a fin, I don't think it was ever confirmed to be a Great White or not.

Great White or not? (more likely a dolphin)

Narrabeen Lagoon stands behind Caoolaroy-Narrabeen beach and is a large freshwater lagoon (often just referred to as Narrabeen Lake). Half the catchment is native bushland - Garigal National Park and is home to some rare vegetation communities that, despite its urban surrounds, are not found either of the nearby national parks.

At the north end of the beach, the lagoon empties into the sea. The water was knee-deep when I had to cross but you will often find a sand bar across the entrance to avoid getting wet feet. There is a rockpool and amenities building under Narrabeen Head.

Narrabeen Beach and Narrabeen Headland

The path behind the building takes you up Narrabeen Head to a lookout which has a superb view of the sea, the beach and the lagoon. A short loop around the headland leads to Turimetta Beach lookout and a small park above the beach. Though it's not clear on the maps, a path of sorts run behind the properties of Narrabeen Park Parade, above the beach, saving you having to walk on more sand. Whether this path is official or not is debatable but the homeowners didn't seem to mind me passing by.

South Creek empties Narrabeen Lagoon

The path on Narrabeen Headland

Narrabeen and Collaroy Beaches from the Headland lookout

Turimetta Beach backed by Turimetta Head

The steep cliffs of Narrabeen Head

Turimetta Beach

The northern headlands; Mona Vale, Bungan, Bilgola, Avalon and Careel

The path leads to the road and then a signposted route to the Turimetta Head Lookout, a new-looking platform guarded by a fence. A series of stone steps cross the headland where a path makes its way to Warriewood Beach. The road runs along the back of the beach leading to a boardwalk through the small dunes and up to Narrabeen Park Parade via a narrow alleyway. Turning right along the road takes you a short distance to Mona Vale Headland Park, overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

Mona Vale

The Warrewood Track emerges from the bush

Warriewood Lookout

Warriewood Beach

The Robert Dunn Reserve at the north end of Warriewood Beach

Mona Vale Headland Park

Like Collaroy, the stretch of sand at Mona Vale is actually two separate beaches; Mona Vale and The Basin, the latter being separated by a small tombolo (an island connect via a spit of sand). Bongin Bongin is the original Aboriginal name for the area, it translates to 'many shells'. The main beach used to carry this name and the small bay is often referred to as Bongin Bongin Bay.

A nice path runs behind the beach at Mona Vale, between the gold course and the dunes (beware of flying golf balls) or, you can simply walk along the beach itself. The tombolo is home to a pleasant-looking rockpool. On the north side of The Basin is the Mone Vale Headland which has a path running around the edge. A sweeping view of Mona Vale is revealed in the gaps between the trees.

The shared user path behind Mona Vale Beach

Mona Vale Beach

The tombolo and rockpool

Basin Beach

Basin Beach and Mona Vale Headland

The path leads round to Hillcrest Avenue which climbs up to the three-laned Barrenjoey Road, one of the main arterial roads through the Northern Beaches. I followed the road a short distance to Karloo Parade which stands high above Bungan Beach, which is truly hidden away behind the houses, nestled between steep cliffs of Bungan and Mona Vale heads. It's not until you reach the northern end of the beach do you catch sight of it, many metres below. It's difficult to access with no nearby parking and one steep driveway leading down to it.

Mona Vale from the headland

Mona Vale Beach

Bungan Beach

Bungan Beach

Views of Bungan Beach are the last on this hike as the final stretch to Newport Beach winds through the streets of suburbia ending at the bus stop close to Bert Payne Park. That leaves the final leg through Avalon to Barrenjoey Head for another time, completing the coastline between Manly and Palm Beach.