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Manly Beach

Must do

Cycling on Manly wharf with Manly Bike Tours. Image James Pipino
SouthSteyne, Manly Beach. Image Andrew Gregory

Manly Beach

One of Sydney’s favourite beaches, Manly’s laid-back atmosphere feels a world away from the city – yet it’s just a short ferry trip from Circular Quay.

Things to do in Manly

Snorkelling at Shelly Beach, Manly. Image James Pipino

Beautiful beaches, tranquil bays, coastal walks, and buzzing cafes and bars – Manly combines the best of Sydney’s beach lifestyle with a relaxed village feel. Getting there is half the fun when you catch a ferry from Circular Quay – just 30 minutes later you’re at Manly Wharf, with its serene harbour beach and waterfront restaurants and bars.

Take to the surf at one of Australia’s iconic beaches. Manly Surf School has classes for beginners and advanced surfers throughout the year.

Explore Manly by foot, rollerblade or bike, with pathways and coastal walks taking you further north to Freshwater Beach or around the headland to Shelly Beach, a lovely sheltered sandy cove with plenty of colourful fish to tempt snorkelers and scuba divers. If you’d rather gaze at the marine life from safer ground, Oceanworld Manly never fails to delight with huge sharks, giant stingrays, turtles and shoals of fish being hand fed.

Australian Open of Surfing

Surfing at Manly Beach. Image Joel Coleman for Saltmotion

Manly Beach hosts the annual Australian Open of Surfing in February each year. Be there to see the best in surfing as well as skating, great music, fashion and art in this action-packed event that attracts surfers from around Australia and the world. Manly Beach was chosen for its great waves as well as its reputation for being the birthplace of Australian surfing. The first World Surfing Championships were held at Manly Beach in 1964.

Learn to surf or paddle board

If you’re new to surfing then Manly is the place to learn, and Manly Surf School provides all the gear for first-timers. Meanwhile, stand up paddle boarding is a unique way to explore Sydney Harbour and exercise at the same time.

Manly Surf School

Get active in Manly

Join in a game of beach volleyball, hire a bike and cycle along the coastal walkways or walk to Freshwater Beach. Why not hire a boat or kayak, and explore the coves around Manly at your own pace.

Kayaking at Manly, Image James Pipino

Waterside dining in Manly

Whether you’re looking for a café on the beach for espresso, delicious takeaway fish and chips, or something more sophisticated, Manly’s lively restaurant and bar scene has something for everyone – including beautiful views to linger over.

Dining at Manly Pavilion Dining Room and Bar. Image James Pipino

Manly Beach, Sydney

In company with Bondi, Manly Beach is Sydney’s most iconic strip of sand, named by the State’s first governor Arthur Phillip in 1788 for the impression made on him by “the confidence and manly behaviour” of the area’s Aborigines.  

Nestled between a tranquil inner-harbour beach on one side and a popular Pacific Ocean surf beach on the other, Manly combines a laid-back attitude with a sophisticated dining scene and stylish shopping.  

The palm-tree lined Corso leads you onto the Steyne promenade, where you can walk, roller-blade or cycle from Manly Beach to Freshwater Beach. Hire a bike, or head to Oceanworld Manly with the kids, enjoy casual dining at a myriad of restaurants & cafes and a ghost tour at Q Station.

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