The Greenlink Walk
A geological marvel
Long Reef is unique among Sydney’s northern headlands, with bedrock made of chocolate shales—some of the oldest sediments on the coastline. Known as “Redbeds” for their iron-rich composition, these soft rocks are easily eroded, forming the extensive rock platform seen at low tide. In contrast, nearby Dee Why Head features tougher sandstone cliffs with steeper profiles. The shales trace millions of years of geological history, extending northward and dipping into the ocean near Bilgola South Head.
This remarkable headland is also a tombolo—a sandbar connecting a former island to the mainland. Its diverse sands tell their own story: fine quartz to the south, crushed shells to the north, and black sands in the intertidal zone. Together, these features reveal a fascinating timeline of erosion, swamps, and shifting deltas that shaped the landscape we see today.
Discover the Greenlink Walk
Discover the Greenlink Walk, a 4 km coastal route connecting Griffith Park and Long Reef Headland. It passes through coastal grasslands, She-Oak woodland, and dune habitats, with wheelchair-accessible sections offering stunning views. Recognized in 2007 by the Australian Government – Natural Resource Management, the walk celebrates the area's rich natural heritage, blending history, ecology, and conservation.
Griffith Park
Explore Griffith Park, uncovering Long Reef's original landscape. Historically, Long Reef comprised heath and wetland vegetation, as depicted in a late 1860s map showcasing a drained wetland flowing into Dee Why Lagoon. Leased to the Long Reef Golf Club in the 1920s, the area preserved a perimeter of remnant vegetation. Today, efforts restore native grasslands and salt marshes, ceasing mowing to regenerate native grass and Banksia seedlings.
Fisherman's Beach
Journey to Fisherman's Beach, where Reefcare's community activities began in 1997 with Kangaroo grasslands restoration. Discover historical relics like fishermen's huts, featured in TV shows like Home and Away. Explore native flora like Banksia Integrifolia and plants designated as significant by local conservation efforts.
Rock Platform
Explore the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve, established in 1980 to protect marine life and habitats. Discover marine conservation pioneer Isobel Bennett's contributions and the area's rich biodiversity, including shellfish, crabs, and diverse shorebirds. Gain insights into marine life protection and responsible visitation.
Boardwalk and Beach
Explore Long Reef's boardwalk, built in 2001, for stunning views of the Bombora, a famous surf break. Discover coastal vegetation in the sand dunes, with native plants like Beach Sowthistle and Coastal Beard Heath. Encounter thriving bird species like Kestrels and Caspian Turns in this coastal habitat.
Sand Dunes
Explore the remnants of Long Reef's early sand dunes, showcasing a unique example of a progressive dune system. Learn about the role of native vegetation in stabilizing the dunes, featuring species like Spinifex and Coastal Heath. Discover the ongoing bush regeneration efforts led by Reefcare volunteers to restore the sand dunes' ecological integrity.
Did you know?
In 1986, a fascinating piece of prehistoric history was uncovered at Long Reef! Australian Museum experts discovered the fossilized remains of a Labyrinthodont amphibian, Paracyclotosaurus davidi. This ancient creature, resembling a giant axolotl, measured about 2 meters long and lived a semi-aquatic life roughly 200 million years ago during the Triassic period.
The Sydney Basin’s Triassic lakes were home to fish, invertebrates, and plants. Fossil finds like this, along with others from Beacon Hill, reveal the biodiversity of the time. Many of these remarkable specimens can be viewed at the Australian Museum today.
Published in The Manly Daily, March 21, 1986.
