During the Christmas break, just before Christmas itself, I made a point of getting out of the house and into nature – something that always feels especially important at that time of year, when days blur together and the city slows down.
I started the morning with a ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf, watching the harbour wake up around me. It’s a familiar journey, but one that never really gets old. By mid-morning I was on foot, heading toward Shelly Beach, passing several inviting spots where people were already swimming and enjoying the clear water.
The walk itself is pleasantly varied. After Shelly Beach, the path eases into bushland – quiet, shaded, and easygoing – before cutting through the remains of an old military base. Walking through those structures adds an unexpected layer of history to the day and makes you feel like you’re exploring a lesser-seen side of Sydney rather than just ticking off another coastal track.
At North Head, the harbour views were the reward: expansive, calm, and unmistakably Sydney. Despite the scenery, the walk never felt demanding, and I was able to finish comfortably by lunchtime. One of the best parts is how practical it all is – a bus stop at the end of the walk takes you back to Manly Wharf, and from there it’s an easy ferry ride back to the city.
To round out the day, I stopped by Fortune of War in The Rocks, one of my favourite pubs. It claims to be one of the oldest in Sydney, and it’s also the only place I know that serves Swan Draught on tap – a Western Australian beer that feels oddly special to find here.
All in all, it was a simple but rewarding way to spend part of the Christmas break: getting outside, into nature, and exploring a different part of Sydney – exactly the kind of reset the end of the year calls for.
You suck
Nah I jk this is cool