Long Reef in Collaroy, located on Sydney’s northern beaches, is a picturesque headland and a popular spot for recreation.
It features a golf course, a scenic walking trail, several beaches, a paragliding launch site, and stunning lookout points.
The best way to experience the natural beauty of this headland is by doing the 3.5 km circuit walk past Fishermans Beach, Long Reef Point Lookout, Long Reef Beach, and Griffith Park.
| Long Reef Headland Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3.5 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 1-2 hours (depending on stops) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
Getting There
Since this is a circuit walk, you can begin from several different locations.
That said, the most convenient place to park is on Anzac Avenue at Griffith Park, located northwest of the headland (see location on map).
If you’re travelling by bus, there are several bus stops along Pittwater Road, just west of Long Reef Headland, making it an excellent alternative.
Below is a map of the walk.
Track Notes
The circuit walk at Long Reef Headland is an easy, family-friendly trail with only a few steps, making it suitable for all ages. The path is well-maintained, easy to follow, and clearly signposted.
In the track notes below, we describe this walk starting from Anzac Avenue and following a clockwise route that passes these highlights:
- Fishermans Beach
- Long Reef Point Lookout
- Long Reef Beach
- Griffith Park
1. Fishermans Beach
Once you arrive at Anzac Avenue, whether by car or bus, head east along the road towards the ocean.
At the end of the road, you’ll step onto the stunning Fishermans Beach. From there, follow the trail heading east with the headland clearly in view.
As you near the end of the beach, continue briefly along the road until you spot the walking trail marked as Long Reef Point and Bicentennial Coastal Walk.
2. Long Reef Point Lookout
The next section features an easy, paved walking path that leads to the highlight of the walk: the Long Reef Point Lookout.
On a clear day, you might catch the thrilling sight of hang gliders and paragliders taking off from this spot, which is quite a spectacular sight.
Beyond the lookout, you’ll come across a long staircase that descends to the easternmost tip of the headland, a favourite spot for fishing and whale watching.
The ocean and coastal views along the staircase are breathtaking, and the rock platform at the bottom offers a fascinating area to explore.
3. Long Reef Beach
From the Long Reef Point Lookout, the circuit trail heads west along the top of stunning coastal cliffs toward Long Reef Beach.
You’ll notice sections of the cliffs have a striking red hue, which sets them apart from the cliffs in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
This red colour comes from Bald Hill Claystone, a type of sedimentary rock that forms the Long Reef cliffs.
The trail gradually descends from the headland to the beach, with the Long Reef Golf Course on your right and the ocean and beach on your left.
Near the end of this path, you’ll reach a junction where you can either turn left to walk along the beach or continue straight to stay on the main circuit trail.
4. Griffith Park
From the junction, the trail moves away from the beach and eventually turns right, leading through a bushland section via a wooden boardwalk.
Shortly after the boardwalk ends, the path opens up to a grassy area that leads into Griffith Park.
Instead of following the path along the busy Pittwater Road, we recommend crossing this open field and walking towards the car park near the tennis courts.
Optional: Dee Why Lagoon
If you’d like to extend your walk, you can detour to Dee Why instead of completing the circuit and returning to Anzac Avenue via Griffith Park.
This alternative route takes you along Long Reef Beach and past Dee Why Lagoon, with Dee Why Beach on the opposite side. Depending on the tide, you might need to wade through the creek where the lagoon meets the ocean.
This section of the trail, between Long Reef Headland and Dee Why, is part of the Bicentennial Coastal Walk, a 10 km coastal journey stretching from Narrabeen Lagoon to Manly Lagoon.
