Long Reef Walk

The Long Reef Walk up along Long Reef headland in Collaroy is a stunning walk that we’ve recently discovered. It’s got magnificent views and is suitable for kids too!

You can decide how far and where you want to work. Either keep it easy and just walk up the hill or go down to explore the headland reef itself.

Where is the Long Reef Walk? 

Where is it in Sydney

Long Reef Headland is on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

It is at the South end of Collaroy – just after Dee Why ends. It’s the point you can see from a number of beaches on the Northern Beaches.

Long Reef and Fishermans Beach are located between Dee Why and Collaroy Beaches and have three protected areas: Long Reef Aquatic Reserve, Long Reef Wildlife Protection Area, and Dee Why Lagoon Wildlife Refuge.

Location 

The official address is Anzac Avenue, Collaroy NSW 2097. 

It is really easy to miss the turn so make sure you look at the map below before you visit.

You’ll need to exit off Pittwater Road. After that, You need to take the first right – THROUGH THE GOLF COURSE CAR PARK  and all the way to the top of the hill.

Parking 

There is a carpark at the top of the hill.

The parking is free for vehicles displaying Northern Beaches Council’s parking permits and pay ‘n’ display is available for those without.

The cost for pay ‘n’ display parking is: Monday to Friday – $6 an hour or $10 all day Weekends – $26 all day , public holidays and school holidays.

How hard is the actual walk? 

The walk starts out of the car park at the top of the hill. You’ll know you’re at the right car park when there is no further to go.

From the end of the carpark the walk is completely smooth and gradual. You could take scooters or a pram up it and it won’t be too difficult to navigate.

Once you get to the lookout at the top of the hill, you can go left along more of the same walkway, past the golf course and on towards the Dee Why lagoon.

You can however go down onto the reef which is awesome. It is steep but there are reinforced steps. My 3 year old could easily navigate this. But, if you’ve got scooters and pram with you, you would have to leave them at this point.

Features of the Long Reef Walk

The views 

Looking North you can look down on Collaroy and the reef with its four resident pelicans. On a good day you can even see all along the coast, up to Narrabeen, Newport and maybe even Palm Beach.

To the South, you can see the long stretch of beach to Dee Why with the golf course running along side it.

It’s really stunning if you get the chance to look and you’re not chasing little ones all over the place.

Once you start climbing down towards the actual reef it feels like you’re in a wild and rugged beach. I love this natural side of it!

The sculptures 

Swimming areas 

I wouldn’t swim at the end of the walk. Rather walk around the shoreline to Fisherman’s Beach. It’s on the northern side of the headland and is a relatively protected beach surrounded by rocky areas. You can read our full review here.

Geology