30 things to do on the Northern Beaches
The Northern Beaches is, as the name suggests, a series of stunning beaches. It is also many more things besides, meaning you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding what to do when you’re here, from cultural and sporting events to nature hikes, amazing restaurants, vibrant shops and markets and even ghost tours.
We’ve put together 30 of the best things to do while you’re here.
For the shopaholics and fashion lovers
1. Shop at a local market
If you’re looking for beautiful handmade items, one-of-a-kind artworks, preloved clothes and the best deals around, the Northern Beaches has plenty of fantastic markets to browse. Check out the full list of markets with our Northern Beaches market guide.
2. Shop till you drop
The Northern Beaches has become one of the go-to destinations for boutique beachside shopping. Visit Avalon, Freshwater, Manly or Newport to enjoy small stores catering to a variety of styles and tastes.
For the Foodie
3. Visit the local distilleries
An easy bus ride from Manly is the suburb of Brookvale, home to amazing distilleries. Manly Spirits was the first to hit the scene, offer refreshing cocktails, Australian gins, botanical vodkas and whiskies as well as tours of their distillery. WildSpirit Distilling Co is a craft gin distillery developed by a distiller within Dad & Dave’s craft brewery in Brookvale. If alcohol isn’t your thing, you could test out Seadrift Distillery, which offers a delicious 0% alcohol alternative to your favourite spirit.
4. Enjoy craft breweries
Raise a glass to the Northern Beaches brewery scene, home to 10 fantastic craft breweries. Avalon Brewery, 4 Pines Brewing Co, Nomad Brewing Co, Dad and Daves, Quakers Brewing, Freshwater Brewing Co, Broken Bay Brewing Co, Bucketty’s, Seventh Day Brewery and Modus Operandi are all incredible and offer their own unique take on beer. If you want to sample several in one day, join a tour with either Dave’s tours or Northern Beaches Brewery Tours for a whole day exploring the working breweries and learning about their craft.
5. Dine at Sydney’s best restaurants, bars and cafes
For a meal you won’t forget, dine at one of the many amazing restaurants, bars or cafes on the Northern Beaches. Some local favourites are The Newport, Hugo’s, Cornetto, The Boathouse, to name just a few. For more recommendations, we’ve asked our local residents to share their favourite places to eat and drink on the Northern Beaches. Read our ‘Live Like a Local’ guides.
6. Learn how to make your own gin
For a unique experience, enroll in a class with the masters of gin at Manly Spirits and create your own one-of-a-kind bottle of gin to take home They will teach you how to mix Australian native and foraged marine, citrus, herbal, floral and spice botanicals to make a very special drink. Book one of their 2-hour classes, which run on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
For the adventure seeker
7. Learn to surf
Get down to the beach and hit the surf with the help of one of several of the Northern Beaches’ friendly surf schools.
8. Go whale watching
From May through to November, keep your eyes peeled for whales. You can spot these gentle giants either from one of the many fantastic vantage points on the Northern Beaches or join a whale watching cruise departing from Manly or Palm Beach. Check out the best lookouts locations with this whale watching guide.
9. Kayak the Northern Beaches
Explore the amazing waterways of the Northern Beaches by kayak. Choose either the hidden beaches in Ku-ring-gai National Park, the calm waters of Narrabeen Lagoon or the stunning waters of Manly Cove. For more information on how to visit some of the Northern Beaches’ most secluded beaches, check out this kayaking guide.
10. Soar above the water on a Fliteboard
Escape the crowds – try your hand at fliteboarding with a lesson from Fliteschool Manly. A fliteboard is an electric-powered hydrofoil that gives you the sensation of flying above the water. It’s a unique experience that you can enjoy on your own or with a group of friends. It has no need of wind or surf; all you will feel is the breeze in your hair.
11. Snorkel the Northern Beaches
Grab your flippers – it’s time to explore beneath the ocean’s surface. The Northern Beaches is home to some of the best snorkelling spots in Sydney.
You might bump into some new underwater friends – turtles, Port Jackson sharks, giant cuttlefish and blue gropers are spotted regularly. Dive into our guide to the best snorkelling spots on the Northern Beaches.
12. Go scuba diving
If you want a close and personal underwater experience, join a scuba boat dive with either Pro Dive or Dive Centre Manly. They both offer internationally recognised Learn to Dive courses.
13. Explore the Northern Beaches by bike
Whether you’re an experienced cyclist, an adrenaline-junkie mountain biker or new to bike riding, the Northern Beaches has a huge variety of bike tracks to get your blood pumping.
For those who like the more relaxed route, cruise the bike path along Manly Beachfront, while Narrabeen Lagoon offers a tranquil loop ride.
If you’re after something more adventurous, Manly Dam is a popular mountain biking trail with an 11km loop offering a mixed range of terrain, while Bare Creek Bike Park will put your skills to the test on its 1.6km of downhill bike trails, flow trails, skills and dirt jump areas, and a pump track.
If you don’t have your own bike, don’t worry, just hire one while you’re here.
14. Try stand-up paddle boarding
Rent a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), slap on the sun cream and a hat – or a wetsuit if the weather or wind is cool – and head out for an adventure. A SUP is more stable than a surfboard and is a popular sport for any age or fitness level.
15. Learn to throw an axe
There is truly no better way to de-stress than flinging an axe as hard as you can while your friends cheer you on. At Kiss My Axe you’ll get two hours of axe-throwing fun with an expert trainer who will guide you and run a tournament with the other groups in the room.
For the outdoor enthusiasts
16. Go on a scenic walk
Hike one of the many coastal walks that can be found on the Northern Beaches. Discover the Manly Scenic Walkway where you can explore hidden beaches, stunning views and Aboriginal engravings. Hike up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Palm Beach or explore the bushland walks around Manly Dam. If you are up for the challenge, try the 80km Bondi to Manly Walk, which takes you right around the foreshore of Sydney Harbour.
17. Play a round of golf
Playing golf by the sea has long attracted golfers to Mona Vale and Long Reef. Both courses are set in an idyllic location to enjoy the game, inhale some fresh ocean air and later, soak in the views from the clubhouse.
18. Set up a tent and camp on the Northern Beaches
Retreat into the silence of the bush with a relaxing night in the Basin campground, or spend a night near the beach at NRMA Sydney Lakeside Caravan Park. Read our guide to some of the best places to camp on the Northern Beaches, all located within easy driving distance of Sydney.
19. Check out the local beaches
If you’re looking for a spot to throw down a towel and soak up some sunshine, dive into this list of the best beaches on the Northern Beaches.
20. Swim in a world-famous ocean pool
The Northern Beaches is lucky enough to have 15 stunning ocean pools, all varying in shape and size. Read our Northern Beaches rockpool guide to learn more about where to find these iconic swimming pools.
21. Catch a sunset
Catch the best show in town with this guide to Manly’s best spots to view the sunset.
Have a cultural experience
22. Listen to live music
Support local artists and hear the voices of emerging and established musicians. The live music scene is thriving in Manly, from smooth jazz to hip-hop, grunge and indie rock — whatever floats your boat, we have the best live music bars for your gig-going pleasure.
23. Visit the Manly Art Gallery & Museum
The Manly Art Gallery & Museum is only a four-minute walk from Manly Wharf. Throughout the year, they present a range of exhibitions featuring paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, illustrations, multimedia and ceramics created by Australian and international artists.
24. Watch a show at Glen St Theatre
Enjoy a vibrant entertainment calendar of professional theatre productions, quality children’s shows and community events at Glen St Theatre.
25. Learn more about the local history
Meet the regions’ first inhabitants, hear their stories and take a guided tour of Ku-ring-gai National Park with Guringai Aboriginal Tours. Join a free history and heritage tour of Manly with the Manly Visitor Information Centre or book into a history tour of Q Station, Manly.
For kids and young at heart
26. Play a round of mini golf
For a fun day out with family or friends, visit the Pittwater Golf Centre where you can test your golfing skills on the 36-hole pirate-themed mini golf course, exploring caves and shipwrecks.
27. Manly Waterworks
Keep the kids entertained with hours of sliding fun at Manly Waterworks. With three slides and a heated pool, it’s a dream location for kids and a haven for parents who can watch the fun from the spectator area or grab a coffee from the café next door.
28. Challenge your brain
Try to escape the themed rooms at Room Eight by solving a series of riddles and puzzles before the 60 minutes run out. Manly’s Room Eight offers a range of scenarios for 2-6 players
29. Watch a game of footy
Between the months of March and October, book tickets to watch an NRL game played by the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park in Brookvale. Make sure you check out when they are playing their next home game.
30. Get spooked on a ghost tour
Enjoy one of Australia’s most haunted sites with stories of ghosts and paranormal occurrences colouring the long history of Q Station. The 2.5-hour lantern-lit guided tour will take you to the some of the most haunted spots on their property.