A Day in Manly
At any time of year, Manly is one of the most beautiful and much loved beachside suburbs of Sydney. It is geographically situated in a unique location, bounded by both an ocean beach and a harbour, you can travel across Sydney Harbour on an iconic green and yellow ferry and then stroll down the tree-lined Corso to the stunning Manly Beach. We have put together a few of the most popular activities and places to visit if you have just one day in Manly.
A hearty breakfast is a great way to start an action-packed day, head to The Boathouse, a waterside café located at the end of delightful Cabbage Tree Bay. A twenty minute stroll will take you past the iconic Manly Surf Club and along one of Manly’s most stunning walkways, ensuring you work up an appetite for the generous portions on offer here. Choose from the fruit chai porridge with a hint of ginger or smoked salmon fritters with caviar!
After soaking up the incredible views, continue on to the North Head walk, turning right as you leave the café and meandering up to Shelly Beach headland where you will be rewarded with stunning ocean views and perhaps a glimpse of a whale or dolphins, depending on the time of year. Follow the signs through the National Park, admiring the coastal banksias and native wildflowers. If you are lucky, you might spot an echidna snuffling in the dirt for ants! This walk will take you up to North Head, where you will find sweeping views across Sydney Harbour with yachts or fishing boats dotted on the sparkling waters.
This circular route will take approximately 2 hours, after which you will arrive back at Manly Corso, in time to wander around the back streets and hidden alleyways of “The Village”, seeking out souvenirs or beachy attire to take home. You may also discover the perfect lunch venue, we can highly recommend take-away from cafés such as Momo Bar – Dumplings and Poke, Banana Blossom or fish and chips from Manly Fish Market. Head back to the beach where you will find tables under the shady Norfolk Pines, but watch out for those pesky seagulls!
If you would prefer a pub meal at one of Manly’s prime seaside spots, harbour side where you will find the Wharf Bar located on the jetty close to the ferry terminal. ‘Wharfy’ is frequented by both locals and visitors and is known for its seasonal pub classics including gourmet pizzas, salads, grills and of course delicious and fresh seafood.
After lunch, a great activity would be to hire a Clearview Kayak, the ultimate way to see Manly below the surface. You will also be able to discover the hidden beaches around the iconic Manly Cove. If you are interested in history, make sure you stop off at the historic Quarantine Beach where from the 1830’s until 1984, migrant ships arriving in Sydney with suspected contagious diseases had to offload passengers and crew into quarantine! You can do a self-guided tour of the remaining heritage buildings. Another option is three hours sailing experience with a professional skipper showing you the ropes, whilst sailing across the harbour, no prior experience necessary.
Later on, continue with the nautical theme at the Manly Skiff Club adjacent to the Manly Sailing Club where you can enjoy a thirst-quenching beverage on the deck, the perfect location to watch the sun setting across the harbour. Another great venue is Hugo’s, one of Manly’s most popular restaurants and bars with similar views and a delicious snack menu to accompany your ‘Sunset Geisha’ cocktail!
All activities can be booked for you at no extra cost at the Manly Visitor Information Centre, located on Manly Wharf Forecourt. Here, you can also pick up free local maps and gather information about activities around Manly, the Northern Beaches as well as the City of Sydney. Hope to see you soon!