Long a favourite destination for Sydneysiders, Manly is a peninsula, bounded by the sea on three sides.
There are 18 beaches, coves and inlets to swim, sail in and enjoy, including Ocean Beach, Shelly Beach, Little Manly and Fairlight, each with its own charms.
On the narrow strip of land between harbour and ocean is The Corso, Manly’s famous pedestrian plaza. Shopping here - and elsewhere in Manly, is easy and fun.
At weekends and public holidays, visit the Manly outdoor Arts and Craft Market on the beach front featuring locally made creations.
Restaurants and Eateries
Over eighty restaurants offer cuisine from around the world at prices to suit every budget. Many of them are in prime beach locations or harbourside, offering indoor or outdoor dining. There are plenty of choices in eateries of all kinds as well.
Manly Festivals
The Manly Summer Festival (December to March), The Food and wine festival (the first weekend in June), plus the Manly Jazz Festival - Australia's largest, longest and best known (During the Labour Day long weekend at the start of each October).
The beach at Manly is a spectacular setting for annual sporting events throughout the year such as ‘Ironman’ competitions, surf lifesaving carnivals, surfing competitions, as well as beach volleyball and swimming tournaments.
Surf and Surfing
Like Bondi Beach, there is always at least some surf there, if not better, but on a certain amount of days a year it can be very large. There are plenty of breaks up and down the beach, and on the big surf days, off the points.
If your not familiar with swimming at Australian beaches, be sure to only swim between the flags, patrolled by lifeguards. Ask a lifeguard, they will be happy to inform you about water safety and the day’s conditions.
Getting to Manly Beach Sydney
To get to Manly, you can take a bus from Wynyard, or better yet, take the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, by the Opera House.
This allows you great views of Sydney Harbour and is still the time honoured Sydneysider way to get to the Sydney Northern Beaches. From the Manly Wharf area, you can take buses to points further north.
The Manly tourist information office is available at Manly Wharf for more info. Note: The Ferries and Jetcats normally stop running after 12pm but there are bus services back to Sydney running through the night.
Sydney Northern Beaches
Manly is at the foot of the Sydney Northern Beaches. See more about Sydney Northern Beaches.
Bondi Beach
Another world famous Sydney beach, see Bondi Beach.
