ANZAC DAY Manly Cave / 8kms Hike - North Head Stunner - 2UP @ Manly Wharf Bar!

ANZAC Day... a somber day to start yet also one of the best days of the year for a beer(s), 2UP. Add a gorgeous hike with Aussie history? Yup. This is the one. Let's do it...

Let's meet at Manly Wharf East Esplanade Bus Stand C at 830am - it is just on the other side of the Manly Information Centre (find it please) - quick 10mins bus that leaves at 842am drops right at North Head Fairfax's walk. It's a beauty... amazing, 10/10 views over Sydney. Australian Military History... then amazing views all the way up the Northern Beaches to Palm Beach. Trust me - if you haven't done this walk, you're in for "HOLY SHIT" moment of views.

***PLEASE NOTE. Out of respect, when we hike over the section where bricks / monuments are laid for the Aussie fallen during the World Wars, I'll request (demand) group silence. There will be families having their ANZAC Day / memories there... If nobody is there, silence is still the go - let's honour this amazing country we live in with silence in Mother Nature. Break this rule / request, and I'll not-so-politely demand you leave the hike.

We'll hike down to another stunner of a beach: Shelly Beach. From there's it's the best beach neighbourhood walk in Sydney - the rock pool, the perving, the dogs, the locals... it's my favourite spot in Sydney. Manly Beach turns into Queenscliff Beach, then we'll find the cave / wormhole. This is optional... but if you'd like to do it, then 100% do it! I've done it like 5x now, so I'll point it out then carry on... the pub is super close - you won't get lost.

Change... we are no longer going to Harbord Hotel due to the 100s that will be in the queue. We have a group area booked for 45 at Manly Wharf Bar - now called Felon's Brewing! We'll do a little lotto where one of you gets a FREE $20 bet on 2UP. Win? You get $40. Lose? Well, you lost.

The hike is 8kms... safety wise, there are definitely some rocky bits as we descend North Head and come out of the (optional) wormhole, but it's a pretty relaxed hike all in all. Be healthy, fun, and full of good energy. Harbord Hotel... "Our ANZAC Day is packed with cracking live tunes and our legendary carpark BBQ, dishing out loaded hot dogs, brisket rolls, and ice-cold beers all day long. To pay respect to our fallen heroes we have a special marching band here to parade through our crowds."

Rules & Logistics.
a) Arrive at Manly, and be crafty enough to find the bus stop.
b) $10 cash or PayID for this one.
c) Pleeeeeeeaaaase respect our lovely bars / restaurants that say "Yes, we'd love to host your group". Your RSVP "Yes" is your word - keep your word.
d) You don't have to drink!
e) Be on time. Be on time. Be on time... if you miss the bus to North Head - just head home. You've missed us... though you could uber / cab.
f) Please check the event page comments for any dramas / changes.

See you soon. MJ

As I said, I've done the cave walk heaps, and I'm more keen to get to Felon's for 2UP. If you do fancy the Manly Cave then meeting us at the pub (you'll be 20min behind), it’s on the low end of the challenging-scale, but:
a) The rocks are a little treacherous – you don’t want to fall – it’s serious injury.
b) Have good hiking shoes / bottoms. The rocks can be slippery from ocean mist.
c) Tired legs are dangerous legs.
d) DO NOT hike onto the Freshwater side of the cave – the rocks are too much for any of us. Circle back to the entrance.
e) Talk less. Take your time. Concentrate on your next step. Listen to the waves, ocean, and enjoy! The cave is only 30metres or so.
f) Be confident. The view from the rockpool below is stunning – if you’re not keen on the cave, no dramas – enjoy the view for 10minutes while others circle back to collect you then head to the pub – you’ll still be part of 90% of the fun day!!!

Manly Cave... Dug up in 1908, the Queenscliff tunnel or the manly wormhole indeed feels like a passage through the unknown. Perhaps that’s why it is called a wormhole. The fishermen who dug it up sure had the best of the Queenscliff rocks and the freshwater beach region connected up easier than clambering up the rocks. On a sunny day, the wormhole towards freshwater offers the best-uninterrupted views of the blue sea.