Charming twin towns Wynnum and Manly are perfect for kid-friendly activities, delicious seafood, and stunning shoreline vistas, so what if you could combine all of those into one fun-filled day? This coastal walk is a local favourite for a reason, and it’ll offer plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy everything the towns have to offer.
The gorgeous trail will take you along the shore, so you can enjoy an ocean breeze throughout, especially during the warmer months. It’s a relatively easy walk thanks to the smooth path, which is also suitable for strollers and scooters, although it is about 10km round trip, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough time (around 3 to 3.5 hours) to complete it. Here’s what you can look forward to.
Wynnum to Manly trail walk
A good start point is the always-calm waters of Oyster Point, so you can slowly build momentum and wind your way toward Wynnum’s beloved playgrounds, netted beachfront, and epic water park, where you’ll most likely have to make a stop if you’ve got little ones with you.
You’ll first come upon picturesque white-sand beach, Pandanus Beach, as well as the famous whale water park, with its whimsical squirting sea animals and tidal swimming pool. If you can tear the kids away, you’ll also find a playground, picnic and BBQ facilities and, a little further, Wynnum’s beautiful jetty, from which you’ll be able to see Manly, your final destination, as well as other islands scattered on the water.
Your stroll will take you past George Clayton Park, with a red mini lighthouse structure in the playground, and soon you’ll be at the border of Wynnum and Manly, marked by a war memorial.
Manly’s famous yacht-filled marina and Little Bayside Park will become visible, as will all the best seaside restaurants you can refuel at, such as local favourite Manly Boathouse, and Cafe La Mer if you want something a bit less conspicuous that still offers a view. For laneway lovers, Cambridge Lane Espresso is serving up their quality brews a little ways up Cambridge Parade. If you happen to be here on the first or third Saturday of the month, don’t miss out on brunch at Jan Powers Manly Market!
Waiting until you’re back in Wynnum? Main street’s Frenchies Café is known for their coffee, pastries, and for being dog-friendly!
You can also customise your walk and, if you’re not too tired out yet, you can keep going for roughly one more hour past the marina and up to Lota, with its old-fashioned sea cottages, shady fig trees and colourful bougainvillea.
On the other hand, you can start the walk further back at Elanora Park instead of Oyster Point so that the trail will take you through the bewitching Wynnum Mangrove Walk, which meanders for 800m through a small section of the vast area of majestic forest. From there, you can cross Fox Bridge and get to the Oyster Point starting point.
We recommend abundant sun protection as, other than the Mangrove Walk — if you decide to include it in your walk — there is not much shade along the trail, which mostly runs along the seaside.
Key features
Where: Wynnum – Manly
Distance: 10km
Total time: About three to four hours out and back
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
How to get there
Wynnum is an easy 25-minute drive from Brisbane. You can also take a train or bus, which will take you roughly an hour.