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Taking a five-hour trek along the very scenic Manley Walk in Australia.

Spit Bridge And Spit Bay by Wellbeyond

Spit Bridge is the starting point for the Manley Walk when walking towards Manley. The bay here is as beautiful as the hike, and sets the tone for what's to come.

When visiting Sydney, Australia, one of the extremely pleasant surprises you may discover is the Manley Walk, a 5-hour hike from Spit Bridge just outside of downtown Sydney to the gorgeous Manley. You are able to get to Spit Bridge easily by bus from Sydney, so special arrangements to get to the Manley Walk starting point are not necessary. The Manley Walk can be taken in both directions, but I would suggest starting at Spit Bridge and walking towards Manley. Once you've completed the walk, you'll want to have a rest and get something to eat and drink, and Manley, with its numerous restaurants and shops, will be perfect for that far more than anything around Spit Bridge.

The walk features numerous gorgeous views and overlooks, and is rather easy to complete if you enjoy this type of activity. The walking paths are clearly indicated, both by the paths themselves and by the occasional signs letting you know you're heading in the right direction. There are a few options available to you as to which path to take. I highly recommend taking the path that runs along the water, because the views are outstanding. You'll definitely need comfortable walking shoes, and a bottle of water wouldn't hurt. The main reason the walk takes 5 hours is because of the stopping and photo taking (bring your camera, you'll be mad at yourself if you don't). There is wildlife to observe as well, not just breathtaking views. Exquisite birds and exotic lizards will dot the trail and make the entire experience that much more memorable. And if you are deathly afraid of spiders just be aware that there are a few occasional patches where you'll see them and their webs hovering about 10-15 feet above your head. They're far enough away to be safe yet still close enough to make you cringe.

The photos featured in this article focus mostly on the breathtaking scenic views along the Manley Walk, but the inland scenery is just as beautiful. Well, minus the spiders.

For the record, I've seen the spelling of this town "Manley" and "Manly", even on the same Australian website! Whichever the correct spelling may be, it's definitely worth your time and effort if you enjoy hiking or even just long walks. And thankfully, there is a ferry service with regular departures to take you back to Sydney harbor and downtown Sydney after you've reached Manley, so you don't have to worry about how to get back.