The walk from Dee Why to Long Reef Headland is one of the best short walks on the Northern Beaches. As well as great coastal views, you’ll also get to enjoy the peaceful Dee Why Lagoon, the views across one of Sydney’s most picturesque golf courses and explore a couple of secret beaches at the headland itself.
If you’re planning the walk between May and October, Long Reef Headland is also one of the best places in Sydney to look out for migrating Humpback whales.
Here’s what to expect from the walk.
Dee Why to Long Reef Headland Walk
The stats
Distance: 6.1km as a circuit, 4.8km as a return walk
Elevation: 79m
Difficulty: Easy
Type of trail: Return or circuit
This trail is pretty easy and straightforward, and is a great choice if all you fancy is a leisurely sunset stroll with a view. There’s very little elevation and you can do the entire trail in about 1-2 hours max.
To circuit or not to circuit?
You can visit Long Reef Headland as a return walk, or a circuit. Having done them both, we highly recommend making it a return - walking from Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club to Long Reef Headland and going back the same way along the beach.
If you really don’t like going back on yourself (something we are guilty of) then we’ve included details about the circuit too. However, this is one of the few times we will recommend doing the return walk as it is much prettier.
Starting the walk to Dee Why Lagoon
The walk begins at Dee Why Surf Club and heads across the lawn beside the car park and through the gate into Dee Why Lagoon.
We walked this track about an hour before sunset and the golden glow over the lagoon was gorgeous. If it wasn’t for a bit of road noise you could easily feel like you were out in the bush.
The lagoon itself is pretty and the surrounding vegetation is full of bird life.
The path is quite narrow and slightly overgrown in places, but still very easy to get through and completely flat. It isn’t long before you pop out at the inlet that links the lagoon and the beach.
Depending on the tide it can be really low or well above shoe level. On this occasion it was quite high, close to the knee at the deepest point, which having done it before when it was low I hadn’t been ready for!
Continuing on to Long Reef Headland
Once you’re over the inlet you’re on Long Reef Beach and it’s an absolute beauty. With the headland directly in front of you, the view is spectacular all the way, and it feels much more rural than it really is.
You’ll have around 700m of walking on the soft sand before you reach the staircase up to the headland. You’ll then hit a paved path which zig zags up the hill on a gentle gradient.
The views back to the beach are stunning every step of the way. When you reach the top you’ll see why it’s such a good whale watching spot as it offers up fantastic panoramic views.
We also love this spot at sunset and there is plenty of space to sit and enjoy it.
Long Reef Headland
You can walk down the staircase and out to the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve.
This is a good spot for looking for migratory shore birds (between September/October and April/May) as well as do a bit of beach combing (nothing can be taken away from this protected area though).
Whilst Dee Why and Long Reef beaches were full of surfers, we saw just one lone surfer out this way and it felt much more wild.
There is another lovely secluded beach down here too (which we couldn’t find a name for, it’s not even marked on Google Maps). It makes for a good quiet spot if you’re in need of some peace and tranquility.
Finishing the walk (circuit version)
For the prettiest finish to the walk, we’d recommend retracing your steps as far as the inlet and then walk along Dee Why Beach instead of going back through the lagoon . This has better views and is a shorter route than making a full circuit.
If you want to walk an extra kilometre and complete the full circuit, from the reserve head back to the top of the stairs and instead of going towards Long Reef Beach, take the path on your right.
This will take you on a paved trail with the golf course on your left and the ocean on your right.
It’s an easy downhill walk and although you soon lose the ocean views to your right, after 1.1km you’ll reach Fishermans Beach.
Although it’s not nearly as nice as Long Reef Beach, it does have a certain rustic charm, and it’s really popular with the local pelican population.
We saw four on our visit and despite the fact we’ve seen them many times, it’s always a delight!
If you fancy a swim, but are not keen on the wavy water of Long Reef and Dee Why Beach, then Fishermans is a good choice. The sheltered bay means it has calm water, perfect for a dip.
After the beach, you will need to cross over the road and walk through the car park to the sports field.
Cross over the sports field and dog park and hug the path to your right which will then take you onto a boardwalk.
When there is a junction take the path on the right hand side and follow it back to the inlet. At this point you can then walk along Dee Why Beach all the way back to the surf club.
Packing suggestions for Long Reef Headland
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies and any other bugs. Check it out on Amazon.
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about the Dee Why to Long Reef Headland walk
Parking for the walk
This walk is another victim of the Northern Beaches Council’s exorbitant parking charges. If you want to park at the Dee Why Surf Club, then it will cost you a small fortune.
However, there is plenty of street parking very close to the start of the walk, which is completely free and doesn’t have a time limit. We found a few spaces on Avon Road (click here to find it) which is a short walk from the start of the trail.
Public transport to the walk
You can hop on the B1 Bus to Dee Why from Town Hall. The bus stops on Pittwater Road which is a 1km walk from the start of the trail. The buses leave every 10-15 minutes.
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Are you planning to do the Long Reef Headland Walk? What is your favourite walk on the Northern Beaches? Let us know in the comments below!
