Sydney Northern Beaches & Ku-ring-gai Park small-group tour

Seven hours covering five beaches, two national park stops, and the ferry ride back

A small-group sightseeing tour of Sydney's northern beaches and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, departing from your city hotel and returning by ferry to Circular Quay. The tour includes hotel pickup, a local guide, national park fees, lunch at Palm Beach, and the Manly ferry ticket back to the city. You walk to Aboriginal rock engravings and caves, visit the filming locations of Home & Away, and stop at West Head Lookout for views across five waterways.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Sydney Harbour Bridgepass by
2. West Head Lookout20m
3. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park1h · entry included
4. Palm Beach1h
5. Whale Beachpass by
6. Manly Beach15m
7. Sydney Harbour30m · entry included
8. Circular Quaypass by

Explore Sydney's Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai Park

• Pick up from city hotel
• Drive over Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Stop for views over Middle Harbour
• Visit West Head Lookout
• Bush walk to Aboriginal caves and wildlife
• Visit Palm Beach and lunch
• Drive past Whale Beach and Bible Gardens
• Stop at Narrabeen Lakes and Ocean Rock Pool
• Visit Long Reef Ocean Headland
• Drive along Northern Beaches coastline
• Walk to Manly Wharf
• Catch Manly Ferry to Circular Quay
• Tour ends at Circular Quay

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel, then crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the northern side. The first real stop is West Head Lookout in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park: the operator calls it possibly the most scenic view in Sydney, looking out over the meeting point of five waterways and across to Palm Beach. From there you walk into the park itself to see ancient Aboriginal rock engravings and caves, learning about the art and history while spotting native wildlife along the way.

By midday you're at Palm Beach, where the Australian soap Home & Away films its scenes. You walk the beach and have lunch included here, then move on to Whale Beach to see the clifftop mansions of Sydney's wealthiest suburb. The route takes you past Narrabeen Lakes (where pelicans gather near the rock pool), Long Reef with its 40-kilometre coastal views and seasonal humpback whales, and Narrabeen Beach itself, where Australia's first surfing happened in 1915. You walk the Manly foreshore down to the wharf, then board the ferry for the final leg.

The Manly ferry is the last piece of the tour, and it's the scenic payoff: you pass the Heads of Sydney Harbour, see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the water, and arrive at Circular Quay in the city centre. The ferry ticket is included. The whole day runs seven hours from pickup to drop-off at Circular Quay, with an air-conditioned minivan for the driving sections and a local English-speaking guide throughout.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide.
• hotel or cruise ship pickup and return to Circular Quay.
• all national park fees.
• lunch at Palm Beach.
• Manly ferry ticket from Manly Wharf to Circular Quay.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned minivan transport.
• protective face masks and hand sanitiser.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:15

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “Pick up from: 140 George Street, The Rocks”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Go Beyond Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs seven hours with walking at the national park, along beaches and down the Manly foreshore, so it suits travelers comfortable on their feet for stretches. If you want to see the northern beaches and Aboriginal heritage without renting a car or planning ferry times, the guide and fixed itinerary handle both. You just show up at your hotel.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What exactly is West Head Lookout and why is it on this tour?

West Head Lookout is a viewpoint in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park where you can see the meeting point of five waterways and views across to Palm Beach. It's the operator's description of the most scenic view in Sydney, and it's the reason the tour includes the national park stop.

Do I walk much on this tour, or is most of it driving?

You walk to the Aboriginal rock engravings and caves in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, stroll along Palm Beach, visit Whale Beach, and walk the Manly foreshore down to the wharf before boarding the ferry. The rest is driving in the air-conditioned minivan between stops.

Is lunch included, and where do I eat?

Lunch is included and served at Palm Beach, the Home & Away filming location. You eat there before moving on to Whale Beach and the other northern beaches.

Does the ferry ticket from Manly to Circular Quay cost extra?

No, the Manly ferry ticket is included in the tour price. You walk the Manly foreshore, board at Manly Wharf, and ride to Circular Quay with views of the Harbour entrance, Opera House and Bridge.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying on a cruise ship?

Yes. The tour includes hotel or port pickup. If you're a cruise passenger, enter your ship details at checkout instead of a hotel address, and the driver will meet you at the cruise terminal.