Negotiating Sydney: North Shore, Northern Beaches and Central Coast

Negotiating Sydney:
North Shore, Northern Beaches and Central Coast

Google map for North Shore, Northern Beaches and Central Coast (Routes 14 to 17)

If heading from Sydney to the Central Coast, the basic idea is to cycle from the CBD to Seaforth via Route 14 or 15, then from Seaforth to Palm Beach along Route 16. From Palm Beach, catch the Palm Beach Ferry across Broken Bay to the southern end of the Central Coast. Route 17 gives one possibility for negotiating the first stage of the Central Coast. Other options, variations and side trips are discussed in the notes below. While this route from Sydney to the Central Coast is less than perfect due to traffic and patchy cycling infrastructure, what cannot be denied is that the accompanying coastal scenery is absolutely superb.

Cycling between Sydney's CBD and Palm Beach

Two options for heading north out of the CBD are described below. In my judgment, Route 14 is best in terms of scenery, attractions and traffic. However, it does involve a 30 minute ferry ride (albeit one of the best in the world), and purists who wish to avoid such aids may prefer Route 15 (which includes cycling over the Harbour Bridge).

Route 14: Manly to Seaforth. Approximately 7.4km
From the CBD, catch a ferry at Circular Quay to Manly. The trip is approximately 30 minutes and offers oustanding views of Sydney Harbour. Manly is a beach-side suburb with a great atmosphere and attractions to explore. If you have time, consider cycling to North Head (shown on the Google map) for more harbour views. The Manly to The Spit Walk (approximately 8km one way - catch a bus to return to Manly) is also highly recommended. The route from Manly to Seaforth follows, for the most part, shared and dedicated cycleways, with a net ascent of 100 vertical metres.

Route 15: Sydney Harbour Bridge to Seaforth. Approximately 11.5km
This is an alternate route to Route 14. From the CBD, cycle across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (as described in Route 3). The route shown on the Google map follows a standard cycling route used by intrepid cyclists on their weekend training rides. Military Road and Spit Road both carry a lot of traffic. If you intend to use this route, then try to cycle this section before 7am on a weekday or before 8am on a weekend. There are a few important points of which cyclists using this route should be aware:

If you are heading north, then shortly after leaving the Harbour Bridge you should turn right at Arthur Street, left onto the Pacific Highway and then right onto Miller Street. The route shown on the Google map is appropriate only for those heading south toward the Harbour Bridge (this is due to one way streets in the area).
If you are heading south from Spit Bridge, you should not cycle up Spit Road. Rather, after the bridge take the first left into Parriwi Rd and cycle up the hill this way. Parriwi Rd reconnects with Spit Road at the top of the hill.
Cyclists can avoid Military and Spit Roads by following the alternative route through back streets indicated on the Sydney RTA bicycle map. I have never cycled this alternative route but I imagine that it is more peaceful, more hilly and harder to follow.

Route 16: Seaforth to Palm Beach. Approximately 30km
This route connects with Routes 14 and 15. It follows the Wakehurst Parkway, Pittwater Road and Barrenjoey Road from Seaforth to Palm Beach. The Wakehurst Parkway has a good shoulder and can be cycled any time with reasonable safety. It also passes through bushland, gives views of Middle Harbour and Manly Dam and skirts around Narrabeen Lagoon. The two or three kilometre stretch along Pittwater Road has three lanes in both directions but no shoulder. It would be best to avoid this road when heading in the safe direction as peak hour traffic. Barrenjoey Road is very windy and narrow in places and has little or no shoulder. However, it does offer some terrific views of the northern beaches and Pittwater. This road can get very busy on weekends as Sydneysiders flock to the beach. Also beware of the large bendy buses that use this road. If heading north, plan to cycle Barrenjoey Road before 2:30pm on weekdays, and before 10am on weekends during beach season. If heading south, plan to cycle Barrenjoey Road between after 9am on weekdays, and before 11am on weekends during beach season.

Cycling the Central Coast of NSW

Route 17: Ettalong Wharf to Gosford Marina. Approximately 16km
This route follows a shared footpath-cycleway along the edge of Brisbane Water between Woy Woy and Gosford. Both Woy Woy and Gosford have substantial shopping centres and at least hourly rail services to Sydney. Ettalong Wharf is only a few kilometres from Woy Woy and has ferry services to Palm Beach. This route is also covered by the Gosford RTA bicycle map.

Alternative to Route 17: Wagstaff Wharf to Gosford, Erina.
The ferry that services Palm Beach and Ettalong also stops at Wagstaff Wharf (see the marker on the Google map). From Wagstaff Wharf it is a short cycle to Killcare, which gives access to Bouddi National Park. If you are looking for somewhere to stay that is relatively quiet compared with the bustle of the Central Coast's suburbs, consider camping at Little Beach (dirt road access), Putty Beach (sealed road access, walking distance to shops) or Tallow Beach (fire trail access and comparatively remote). The coastal walk between Putty Beach and Little Beach is particularly appealing, especially at the pristine Maitland Bay. From Killcare, one could cycle to East Gosford via Scenic Drive (windy and hilly), though in holiday seasons the traffic on roads in this area is likely to be unpleasant.

Cycling north of Gosford.
From Gosford, one aims to head to the cycleway adjacent to the southern shores of Tuggerah Lake. From there, one can follow the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie cycle tour described on this site. However, I do not know a cycle-friendly route from Gosford to Lake Tuggerah. From personal experience, I recommend that cyclists avoid the Central Coast Highway between Gosford and The Entrance, except in those few places where the Gosford RTA bicycle map indicates cycle lanes. Were I to cycle from Gosford to Lake Tuggerah, I would try taking either Wells Street or the cycle lanes by the Central Coast Highway from East Gosford to Erina, then head north along Wattle Tree Road, Paroo Road, The Ridgeway and Tumbi Road.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

If you happen to stay overnight near Narrabeen, Mona Vale or Newport, then I would highly recommend spending a day (or energetic morning) exploring Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. From the intersection of Pittwater Road and Barrenjoey Road in Mona Vale (marked on the Google map), head north along Pittwater Road, which skirts the foreshore of Pittwater, runs into McCarrs Creek Road and enters the national park. After a short climb, the intersection with West Head Road is reached. From here one can do a round trip to Akuna Bay (with Cottage Point as an optional side trip) or cycle out to West Head (which gives magnificent views of Pittwater, the Palm Beach Peninsula, Broken Bay, Brisbane Water and Lion Island). Both trips are sealed, have light traffic and are highly recommended. Be prepared for a few hills.

Hornsby to the Hawkesbury and Beyond

If you are traveling from Sydney to the Hunter Valley then you should consider catching a train from Central Station to Hornsby and then cycling along the Pacific Highway to Peats Ridge. From here, take the rural back roads through Mangrove Mountain, Bucketty, Wollemi and Broke. Most of this route has been described in either the Hawkesbury River cycle tour or the Wellington to Wyong cycle tour. The road from Wollemi to Broke is a favourite of mine.