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Northern Paradise Beach Course

Writer's picture: Andres LombanaAndres Lombana

Updated: Jan 28

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Track difficulty: Medium

Terrain elevation: Flat and sandy

Estimated time: 1 hour (non-stop). 2 hours(stopping for pictures)

Steps: 6200 approx

Need: Sunglasses and a good bunch of sunscreen - High UV during summer time


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Sydney's Northern Beaches are amongst the most popular places to visit due to its high concentration of beaches where you can actually swim. Luckily there's always something to do. Peter joined CitiTrails to the walk and show. of this route However, we were not expecting to find the following: 1) An Iron-Man alike marathon. 2) Peter's sense of Australian belonging. 3) A high tide due to windy weather.




Shelly Beach


Peter is from Ontario, Canada, and although his decision to move and live in Australia could've mean a difficult start to live afar from home, it has nothing but a life experience full of new adventures, good friends, and lots of beach time.



Shelly Beach hides away from Manly Beach a couple of minutes away. But what's more surprising are the wonders of nature that are easily accessible from Shelly Beach. If you come for a day at the beach you might want to pack your camera and some extra shoes to put on. Here you'll get the beach views from hidden bushes full of native species.



Surfers can be seen from atop the hill catching dangerous (but still fun to watch) waves. They take their time to to swim back and is quite relaxing to see why Australia has such an enviable lifestyle.




I didn't think I was able to still live my normal working life while going to the beach on the weekends. It was such a mindset change for me to realise I was not going to be here for just a couple of holidays. It is something I tend to think when I was in Canada as anything interesting to do is held be indoors.



Not even this weather can deter me from going out to the beach on the weekends. Its funny to think I can come to Manly at 6am run club, do my workout at the beach, and then be on track to take the bus back to my office to be working straight from 8am. I think I just started getting used to it!







Manly Beach


Walking along one of the most famous beaches in Sydney was the main goal. However, Peter had to face the unknown this time. The World Ocean Series was taking place at Manly during the same time of our visit and this meant finding lots of races 'Iron-Man' style alike. Pictures and video recorded were differently planned this time.






This is what always makes sense in Australia. To be in-shape and keep a healthy lifestyle is somewhat easier compared to other countries around the world. Is not hard to go and walk around, catch the waves, and spend all day out in the beach. Its crazy! In Canada we can only do this during summer time while here is all year-round.




Manly Beach is also well recognised for its shops and al-fresco sites. Peter decided to take a detour to one of his favourite coffee shops while still showing us around.


Palm Trees are everywhere. Funny enough for me as this makes me think when I was back in Canada and Palm Trees meant I was in Mexico or somewhere similar that's not something I would call home.





We stopped at one of Peter's favourite coffee shop. Barrel One Coffee serves a variety of baked goodies. Peter had a smoked salmon bagel and a nice hot latte. However, we'll leave it to you to visit them and let them amaze you with some of their products ;)


One of my friends opened this store. It always makes me reflect about the coffee culture that we have in my country compared to Australia. There's no chain stores whatsoever. There's this local authenticity of having independent coffee shops everywhere and I feel its a nice competitive way of showing who's best.





Back to the beach! On the way back Peter guided us to the very end of the beach where there was more a 'normal feel' of what Manly Beach looks like.




This is great. Watching people playing beach volleyball is awesome. I love it! Manly its a really good spot if you want to have lots of options to go with your friends. Heaps of activities happening here all the time.


Here we were able to see a more clear view of Manly Beach. There's a good amount of space to walk by and take a swim if you'd like.






Freshwater Beach


If you keep walking along a few metres beyond Manly coastline (you will eventually hit a couple of steps with a hilly suburbial walk) you'll get to Freshwater Beach.


It was quite unfortunate we found it to be closed as the weather conditions were not the best ones. However, pictures of Peter enjoying the nice breeze were not missed. In fact, hust watching the beach on its own assures you why is such a popular place to come to.








Peter's appetite was still there so we decided to stop at Shaka Cafe for some brekkie burritos. A very nice, small and welcoming coffee place near at the beach. The owners recently rebranded their image and so their menu. It made it to be a must stop along the trail. Make sure you come hungry here.







Peter Bergin has decided to start Golf.ai. A place where AI and the art of golf meet together. Currently rolling out this new tech product, Peter kindly invites everybody to explore more about his Golf.ai and the amazing features he is creating with his sports-fan team. Golf.ai is currently free...so why not check it out?


Thanks Peter! We loved your smile here at CitiTrails.



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