Staying fit and actually enjoying it: your active guide to Brookvale

We’re just over a month into 2019, that New-Year-new-you motto is starting to stretch a little thin, and your January gym motivation might not be as prominent. Don’t worry friend, you’re certainly not alone.

Mitsubishi

We’re just over a month into 2019, that New-Year-new-you motto is starting to stretch a little thin, and your January gym motivation might not be as prominent. Don’t worry friend, you’re certainly not alone.

We’re just over a month into 2019, that New-Year-new-you motto is starting to stretch a little thin, and your January gym motivation might not be as prominent. Don’t worry friend, you’re certainly not alone.

But with the weather still perfect for being outdoors, Brookvale, Manly and Sydney’s Northern Beaches are certainly a mecca for escaping those tedious workouts for more scenic, active adventures. So we’ve teamed up with Mitsubishi to bring you some of the best spots and things to do around Brookvale to stay fit, and (actually) enjoy it along the way.

Places For Everyone

Brookvale, Manly and the wider Northern Beaches are blessed with arguably the best range of outdoor parks, reserves, trails and of course, beaches. The Manly to Spit scenic walkway is perfect for all ages - set your Fitbits too, you’ll rack up a fair few steps from start to finish. A definite Sydney must-do, bonus points for running it.

Meanwhile, Little Manly Beach is a great spot for families and those looking for some quiet time by the water. With kiosks, toilets and showers all nearby, it’s a relaxing, secluded spot near the main beach (hot tip, getting in during a balmy night for a sunset swim).If you’re keen to switch it up from the number of local beaches in the north, head on over to the Fairy Bower Pool in Manly. It’s one of the more historic pools in the area, made in the early 1900’s for when saltwater bathing was becoming super popular. With scenic views, and sculptures surrounding the pool, it’s ideal for an enchanting solo swim or for the entire family to swing in for a dip.

Hidden Gems

If you love a spot of yoga, and generally prefer being outside, flow mOcean is a must. Set near the always-picturesque Manly Sea Life Sanctuary, they offer two main options. Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga, where you complete 40-60 minutes of yoga, all while balancing on a paddle board on the water. And they also do Kayak Yoga, where you paddle out to a secret beach location for a tranquil session by the sand.

But if you’re craving a peaceful, yet super aesthetic spot for the ‘Gram, head on over to The Wormhole. Located between Queenscliff and Freshwater, this carved-out area amidst the rocks is a dreamy haven. You’ll have to be a bit careful walking on the rocks, but it’s a calming little nook that’s great for a break during your beach walk. Filters at the ready, folks.

Grab A Friend

If you’re in the mood for something more exciting, grab a friend and head on over to Cabbage Tree Bay in Manly. Not only can you go scuba diving and snorkelling, but also snap some underwater photos or jump on a boat. And of course there’s a nice little beach area for a relaxing picnic once you’re done.

If you want to get that heart-rate up quite a bit, book in a sunrise boot-camp right on Manly Beach-front. OzSquad run regular classes, and your first is absolutely free (only $59 p/month for unlimited sessions). Because if you’re going to workout, why would you do it without ocean views?

Meanwhile, for more of a group environment, the Bold & Beautiful swim squad do 7am swims every day of the week. It’s a 1.5 kilometre ocean swim that takes off in front of the Manly Life Saving Club, ventures over to Shelly Beach and back. Everyone usually wears hot pink (you’ve been warned), and you can buy coloured merch from their official website. The regulars normally duck into cafes nearby for a coffee after, and there’s definitely a big community feel to the group.

Day Dates

If you and your significant other love exercising together, hit up the LUXE Yoga Coffee Lounge. Work up a sweat over one of the various classes they have on offer, then chat it out over a range of the fresh coffee and healthy treats in the café – which has better décor than many specialty venues around Sydney.

If you have a bit of time on your hands, head up to Palm Beach and walk the Barrenjoey Lighthouse trail around sunrise or dusk. It’s a roughly 1.5-2 kilometre stroll up to the lighthouse from the bottom. It’s pretty steep, but you’ll be rewarded with some stunning views of the entire coast and Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park at the summit. Perfect for a little dose of on-one-on time.

Originally published as Staying fit and actually enjoying it: your active guide to Brookvale