Manly Beach. – “Seven Miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care “

Manly is everything Australian, it is our culture. A lively Sydney beach resort with excellent accommodation, restaurants, cafes and pubs. Its alive with screeching seagulls, long sandy beaches, small coves , inlets, swaying Norfolk Pines, bikinis, cold icy beer, surfboards, festivals, music, flip flops, pink zinc, fish and chips, yachts, boats, divers, fishermen, lifeguards, and an National Trust Oceanfront Promenade which was listed for the introduction of daylight swimming, surf lifesaving and board riding into Australian culture. Manly is easily accessible by ferry or jetcat operating from Circular Quay(city)to Manly Wharf, the short walk up the Corso leads to the ocean beach.

Surrounded by the ocean and harbour on three sides, Manly is unique with its 18 small cove harbour and ocean beaches it lays peacefully as a peninsula with stunning and breathtaking views. Now a major tourist beach resort with million dollar homes it has become one of Sydney’s most popular beaches and International destination for overseas travellers.

Manly is steeped in Australian history, discovered by Captain Phillip in 1788 and named after the Canalgal and Kay-ye-my clan of aborigines who greeted him with “Manly” gestures. The Quarantine Station was built in 1832 to segregate ill passengers from others on the arriving ships from England. Manly is situated seven miles north-east from Sydney and due to the harbour was severed from the city until Henry Gilbert Smith brought land in 1853 and introduced the ferry service and started to plant the Norfolk Pines along Manly Cove that a small community and village started to flourish and grow.

Manly Beach is about one mile long with a large foreshore and golden sands. The northern end is called Queenscliff Beach which has a lagoon estuary that empties into the ocean. It is quieter than Manly and is used mainly by the locals. There is an ocean pool and a tunnel, which was once chiseled out by local fishermen as a short cut to Freshwater Beach. The Centre is called North Steyne Beach and the southern corner South Steyne. Next to Manly Beach is Cabbage Tree Bay and Shelley Beach.

Cabbage Tree Bay was named after the Cabbage Tree Palm and Shelley Beach is the only west-facing beach on Australians east coast and is filled with unique marine life such as the Eastern Blue Groper, the Weedy Sea dragon, Gloomy Octopus, and Little Penguin. The bay is an ideal spot for scuba diving and snorkeling because of its clear and shallow waters. Shelley Beach is a haven for sun seekers and is a popular sheltered beach, for families and children.

The Harbour beaches include Manly Cove, Little Manly, Stores, Collins, Fairlight, Forty Basket, Reef and Clontarf beaches.There are numerous sea and harbour pools in Manly. The Bower Pool which is located half way to Shelley Beach along the walkway from Manly Life Saving Club.Little Manly Cove which is located next to Manly Wharf and is excellent for children and families. Fairlight Pool which is a short coastal walk from The Manly Aquarium.

Walks
Manly has a diversity of walks along the coast which offer fabulous views and historical interests.

1. Manly to Spit Bridge. A 10km three hour (one way) across Manly Cove to Oceanworld steps lead to the coastal path. Take in the beauty of Delwood and Fairlight beaches, Forty Basket, Dobroyd Head, Crater cove, Castle Rock, Washaway Beach, Grotto Point, Fisher and Sandy Bay. Take plenty of water, food, sunscreen, cozzies for a dip and good walking shoes.
2. Manly Eastern Hill Heritage walk- . A historical walk that starts at East Esplanade at the white broken column. You will see Manly Rowing Club/ 16ft Skiff Club/ Addison Road with its Architectural buildings/Peace Park/ Little Manly Cove/Storms Beach/Little Manly Gasworks/Spring Cove/Collins Beach/ St Patrick’s College/Parkhill Cottage/North Head/ Manly Hospital/ Quarantine Station/ Shelley Beach/ Cabbage Tree Bay/ Bower rock pool/Manly life saving club. This walk can get steep at certain places.
3. Manly Heritage Plaque Walk – Take a stroll through the history of Manly you will see Aboriginal sites/Manly Cove/The Corso/Marine Parade/South Steyne/Ivanhoe Park/Fairlight House/North Harbour Reserve/Dally’s Castle and Park/Queenscliff Bridge/Manly Lagoon/and Jenkins Road.

 

Restaurants: Manly offers a great diversity of food outlets from quick fish and chips take-away to small cafes and classy waterfront restaurants. There is almost any international cuisine available Chinese/ Italian/ Thai / Indian/ African / French / Australian / from cheap to expensive.

1) Zali's Restaurant: Manly Pacific Sydney, Managed by Novotel - beachfront dinner, catering for all Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.  Check out  Mediterreanen buffet on Saturday night and Sunday Lunch.  www.manlypacificsydney.com.au   ph: 02 8966 7442

2)Will and Toby's : Sebel Hotel - Beachside Lunch and Dinner.Opposite Manly Surf Club.  

3) Ribs N Rumps :The best Steak House in Australia. Nearly every major Rugby and League team in the world has visited. 
 

4) Le Kiosk: Beautifully positioned overlooking Shelley and Manly Beach in a historic sandstone cottage. Dine inside or under the huge Morton Bay Fig tree and take in stunning views whilst enjoying modern Australian seafood cuisine. Voted by New York Times as “Best romantic restaurant”. Located 15 minutes walk from Manly Life Saving Club along promenade. www.lekiosk.com.au (expensive)

5) The Bower Restaurant for Lunch: Do not miss this. Lovely setting overlooking the Bower Pool with stunning views of Shelley and Manly Beach. Located half way between Shelley Beach and Manly Beach along promenade. It is also fabulous place to stop and have coffee and take in the scenery. Food is also terrific and reasonably priced.

Tel: 9977 5451, corner of Marine Pde and Bower Lane. (Great value)

6) Manly Ocean beach boathouse: Positioned overlooking the sea with lovely bar and restaurant offering excellent Australian seafood. (Medium – expensive) Ocean Promenade South Steyne Tel: 9977 0566.

7) Pilu At Freshwater: Take a taxi to freshwater beach and dine in style in fantastic federation building overlooking spectacular views of beach with first class food………A Must Do. (expensive) but worth the dining experience. Tel: 9938 3331

 Now for some cheap ones:

International College of Management  - college for chefs - have a three course lunch meal for $30.00 AUD, bookings essential 99770333 151 Darley Street Manly.The college is surrounded by 20 hectares with spectualar view.

Bacino Bar: Small Italian café offering excellent value for money. Tel: 9977 8889 www.bacinobar.com.au

Syrens: for best seafood platter Tel: 9977 8877

Angelo and Theresa: Italian a local favorite

Jellyfish: Try the chilli garlic angel hair pasta Tel: 9977 4555 www.ourmanly.com.au

Manly Wharf Hotel: Good for everything, cool beer, friendly staff and cool menu. www.manlywharfhotel.com.au

Out Of Africa: For something different. -Fabulous food - Opposite Manly Wharf Tel:9977 0055 www.outofafrica.com.au

The Ivanhoe: Great for steaks www.ivanhoeofmanly.com.au 

The Steyne Hotel: Upstairs on Balcony for lunch and afternoon drink  

Fish and Chips on the beach. – A must try.

Bavarian Cafe: Manly Wharf, lovely position overlooking harbour. - great place for a beer. 

Manly 16ft Skiff club - 9977 3322 www.manlyskiff.com.au   - afternnon lunch

Accommodation Manly
Hostels
Board rider Backpacker Hostel  - www.boardrider.com.au

Manly Bungalow Hostel - www.manlybungalow.com

Manly Cottage Inn - www.manlyweb.com.au

Manly Holiday Apartments www.manlyapartments.com.au

Manly Cove Guest House www.manlyweb.com.au

Manly Harbourview House www.manlyweb.com.au

Beachside Sydney Holiday apartments www.manlyholidayapartments.com.au

Manly Backpackers - www.manlybackpackers.com.au

Hotels

Manly Pacific Sydney – Managed by Novotel. Beachfront (4 star)  www.manlypacificsydney.com.au

Manly Sebel – Beachfront – http://www.mirvachotels.com.au/hotel_...

Qstation - Quarantine Station North Head - Unique and different www.qstation.com.au

Periwinkle Guest House – opposite Manly Cove (3 star) www.ourmanly.com.au

The Steyne Hotel - (3 stars) www.steynehotel.com.au

Manly Lodge - (3 star) www.manlylodge.com.au

Manly Seaview Motel and Apartments - (3 star) 02 9977 1774

Apartments:

Aquablu Holiday Apartments – Beachfront 5 star

Quest Grande Esplanade – Manly Cove harbour view 4 star  www.grandeesplanade.com.au

The Park Holiday Apartments – 4 star

Peninsular Holiday Apartments – 4 star www.manlyapartments.com.au

Pacific Harbour – Victoria Pde Manly – 3 star

St Louie Apartments – Victoria Pde 3 star

Nth Steyne Holiday Apartments – Beachfront 3 star

Santa Fe Holiday Apartments Victoria Pde Manly.

Manly Paradise motel/apartments – Beachfront – 4 star (best) www.manlyparadise.com.au

Manly Seaside Holiday Apartments

Manly Serviced Apartments - Clean, comfortable and private yet caters for the budget conscious. www.ourmanly.com.au

Nautica Holiday Apartments – New

Waterside Holiday Apartments - www.manlyapartments.com.au

Manly Surfside Apartments  www.manlysurfside.com.au

WEBSITES for accommodation.

www.manlypacificsydney.com.au  www.manlyparadise.com.au  www.manlybeach.stays.com.au  www.raywhitemanly.com.au  www.manlysurfside.com.au www.steynehotel.com.au  www.grandesplanade.com.au  www.sydneybeachouse.com.au  www.sydneybeachostels.com.au  www.boardrider.com.au  www.mirvac.com.au  www.manlybungalow.com.au  www.manlybeachhouse.com.au  www.manlyapartments.com.au  www.manlylodge.com.au  www.manlyapartments.com.au

Nightlife in Manly:

Pubs: Manly Wharf Hotel – youngish crowd 18 – 30’s, excellent place to have afternoon drinks overlooking the harbour.

Ivanhoe Hotel – The Corso – three levels to suit different ages.

Steyne Hotel – The Corso opposite Manly Beach. Great for afternoon drinks or casual meal on balcony upstairs. Also has great intimate bar and restaurant upstairs at back. (9 bars over 2 levels, 2 restaurants, accommadation). There is also a nightclub disco which is large and comfortable. 

Manly Boatshed – downstairs, dark, gloomy but alive with music for the young surfie set.

Diggers Club – Freshwater beach, large club offering cheap bistro food, pokies and shows.

Manly Civic Club – Great seafood buffet Friday/Saturday night. (More for the elders)

The Shore Club - Beachfront Manly Beach - 3 levels of cool bars.

Cerutis Street Bar – Sydney Road, Manly

Barking Frog Bar - good bar with restaurant.

Insitu - Central Avenue Manly

Henry Afrikas - Beach Front  Manly Beach - disco and cool bars.

Bavarian Bier Cafe - European Beer. Watch the ferry come in and try some Bratwurst  

Manly Festivals - (some events can be subject to change)

Manly Heritage Festival - April

Manly food and wine festival (June 4th - 5th)

Guringai Festival - Aboriginal culture ( July)

Manly Arts Festival - September www.manlyartsfestival.com/ 

Manly International Jazz Festival – October Long Weekend.

Carols By Candlelight - December

New Years Eve Celebrations - Fireworks on the beach and DJ music.

Other What to Do in Manly.
Manly Quarantine Station Tour.

Guided tours only allowed – phone for booking 9247 5033

Public Tour: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat and sun Time: 1.10pm – 3.40pm (Take the no 135 bus from Manly Wharf)

Adult Ghost Tours: Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun Time: 7.30pm – 10.30pm

Kids Ghost Tours: Friday 6 – 8pm

From Circular Quay catch the ferry to Manly Wharf - catch a bus/taxi or walk. It takes approx 5 - 10mins travel time.Walking is difficult as its a steep climb up Eastern Hill. 

The Top Five Excursions: www.ourmanly.com.au/Travel

Transport:

Ferries from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf leave every half hour and take approx 35minutes. The Jetcat takes approx 15mins. From the airport take the train into the CBD and transfer to a ferry at Circular Quay, otherwise take the private shuttle bus service direct from Airport to Manly Beach.

www.sydneyferries.info/

Buses - www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au

www.manlycabs.com.au - 9972 5600

Other Activities.

Dripping Wet : Locker hire, surfboard and wetsuit hire. 95 North Steyne 9977 3549 www.drippingwetsurf.com

Manly boat and kayak hire: East side or pier Manly Wharf - 0412 622662 www.manlyboathire.com.au

Epic surf Adventures – Manly Yacht Club www.epicsurf.com.au

Tour of School of Artillery North Head – wed/Sat/Sunday 11.30, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. www.northfort.org.au

Oceanworld Manly – West esplanade Manly Cove - Dive with the Sharks!! bookings essential - 8251 7878 www.oceanworld.com.au

Pro Dive Centre – 169 Pittwater Road - 9977 5966 www.manlyprodiveonline.com

Absolute Boat Cruises – offers reef and game fishing 9977 4140 www.absoluteboatcruises.com.au

Manly Surf School – learn to surf  www.manlysurfschool.com.au

Manly Surf School - Daily Surf Report direct from Manly Beach www.ourmanly.com.au  

Manly Parasail - 9977 2914 www.parasail.net

Manly Waterworks Giant slides great for the kids. - 9949 1088 www.manlywaterworks.com

Manly Cyles - Bike hire - 9977 1189 www.manlycycles.com.au

Manly Markets - Opened every Sat and Sun 10.00 - 5.30pm next door to the Steyne Hotel.

Manly Blades/Skateboards - Rollerblade Hire - www.blades.com.au

Manly Kayaks - Oceanworld - 0411 247 917 www.manlykayaks.com.au

Sea Sydney Catamarans - 0438 920 997 www.seasydcats.com.au

Manly Beach Hire : Hire umbrella's, chairs - 0402 841 338 - operates (Ist Oct - 31st May) on the beach south of the corso. 7 days weekly.