How to get to Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve can be accessed from the southern end of Manly Beach along the scenic walkway.

Manly Beach is a short walk from Manly Wharf and ferries regularly depart Circular Quay for the wharf.

Fairy Bower can also be accessed from Bower Lane, and Shelly Beach can also be accessed from Bower Street.

Shelly Beach is the only west facing beach on the NSW coast and this makes it a great spot to watch the sun set after a day of swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving.

Just off Shelly Beach Headland on the northern side of Shelly Beach is the famous surf break known as the Bower.

The Aquatic Reserve also covers part of the Manly National and World Surfing Reserve.

Eco-sculpture walk

The Cabbage Tree Bay eco-sculpture walk including informative plaques, provides visitors with an insight into Cabbage Tree Bay's marine life, plants, animals, history and attractions.

The walk is relatively flat and considered to be accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Sculptures along the rock walls of the path are accompanied by plaques which have been designed with braille notation to allow accessibility for people with vision impairment.

To get there, walk along Marine Parade from either Manly or Shelly Beach. The sculptures are located at the Shelly Beach end of the walkway. Brochures are available from the Manly Visitor Information Centre or the Manly Environment Centre.