Manly makes the whole place shimmer for Tay Tay fans
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Cue the music:
Nice to meet you, where you been?
We could show you incredible things
Manly magic, sun-kissed skin
See us here and you’ll think
“Oh, my God, look at that place
You look like my perfect break
Drenched in fame, I wanna play?” Ay
Slightly tortured lyrics aside, if you’ve got a ‘Blank Space’ in your Taylor Swift Sydney diary, baby, Manly is the perfect day trip and certainly the cherry on top of any visit to Sydney.
A scenic 20-minute journey on an iconic Manly Ferry will land you at Manly Wharf, which serves as entry to some of the most stunning beaches in the world.
There’s nothing cruel about summer here on the Northern Beaches; it’s all welcoming smiles, inviting water, crystal skies and endless entertainment. Pardon the song break but it’s definitely “blue, the feeling I’ve got, and it’s ooh, whoa-oh, it’s a cool summer”.
You’ll be feeling ‘Breathless’ as you behold some of the brilliant blue jewels in our crown – places like Palm Beach, Shelly Beach and of course Manly Beach.
If you’re the ‘Fearless’ type, do more than just admire the scenery and book an adrenaline-pumping lesson with one of our local surf schools and discover why our beaches are on the world surfing circuit.
Alternatively, head underwater with scuba gear or a snorkel and goggles and experience the myriad of marine life of beautiful Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.
For an on-water adventure, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are for hire locally and a great way to explore the less accessible areas of the harbour.
Warning: another song reference ahead.
Make the most of the ‘Daylight’ while you’re here and take on one of our glorious coastal walks to get up close and personal with our natural beauty.
Manly Scenic Walkway heads off from Manly Wharf, making its 10km journey along harbourside paths and through the national park, taking in scenic clifftop vistas and hidden tidal beaches.
Or simply stroll the Manly Beach promenade from Queenscliff to Shelly Beach, stopping occasionally to admire the view and soak up the sun’s rays.
In nearby Collaroy, watch the surfers below and the hang gliders above from atop Long Reef Headland before descending and meandering along the easy beachside walkway.
If you want to channel Taylor as she cycled around Place de Furstenberg in Paris in 2012 while filming the video for ‘Begin Again’, pop on a red lip and sunnies, hire a bike from Manly Bikes and take a casual and stylish ride along the Manly beachfront – pussy bow, long skirt and ballet flats are optional.
After scoring yourself a ticket to a Swift concert, the next biggest challenge in this month’s Taylor mania has to be deciding what to wear – a sundress and cowboy boots from the eponymously named Taylor Swift album, high-waisted vintage shorts from Red or pastels and shiny sequins from Lover? Whatever your choice, if you still find yourself in need of a little extra sparkle, the Northern Beaches has a great range of shopping options, from vintage in Manly to department stores and designer wear at Westfield Warringah Mall in Brookvale.
If, at the end of the day, you find yourself still totally ‘Enchanted’ and thinking “This night is sparkling, don’t you let it go”, stay a while longer and enjoy dinner in one of our many restaurants, from casual to classy, followed by some socialising in one of our many lively pubs, or seek out a hidden, hole-in-the-wall wine or whiskey bar.
True Taylor Swift fans might also fancy their chances at a bit of trivia.
If you think you know the mega star ‘All too Well’, test your Tay Tay knowledge at Dee Why RSL’s Taylor-themed trivia from 7pm on 28th February, or Wharf Bar Manly Beach’s Trivia, Taylor’s Version, at 7.30pm on 5th March.
As you board the last ferry back to the city (that’s midnight for all you party people), stand on the deck, look lovingly back at Manly and sing:
Say you’ll remember me
Standing in a nice dress
Staring at the sunset, babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks
Say you’ll see me again
Even if it’s just in your wildest dreams, ah-ah, ha
Wishing you an amazing concert!