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Manly Beach

Cycling on Manly wharf with Manly Bike Tours. Image James Pipino

Must do

SouthSteyne, Manly Beach. Image Andrew Gregory

Highlights

Manly Beach

One of Sydney’s favourite beaches, Manly Beach has a laid-back atmosphere that feels a world away from the city – yet it’s just a short ferry trip from Circular Quay. From the ferry, you'll pass the "heads", the sandstone cliffs where the harbour meets the ocean. Both North and South head have lookouts with expansive harbour and city views.

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 inner-harbour beach and waterfront restaurants and bars.

It's just a 5-minute walk along the Corso from Manly Wharf to the oceanfront promenade that's backed by a strip of parkland with Norfolk Island pine trees. This stretch of sand is made up of several ocean beaches - Queenscliff, South Steyne and North Steyne. Take to the surf at one of Australia’s iconic beaches. Manly Surf School has classes for beginners and advanced surfers throughout the year. Fairy Bower is a right-hand reef break that's popular with experienced surfers.

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, Manly SEALIFE Sanctuary never fails to delight with huge sharks, giant stingrays, turtles and shoals of fish being hand fed.

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, or go snorkelling with a local guide at pretty Shelly Beach?

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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Don't miss these Manly Beach experiences

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