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48 Hours in Manly
Image courtesy of Destination NSW

Come for an hour, come for a day, but if you really want to experience the essence of Manly, can we suggest you indulge yourself and devote at least two days to this beautiful destination known as the Gateway to the Northern Beaches.

Following is a whole host of restaurants, tours and activities for a full 48-hour itinerary.

Fuel up before you head out

Start your day off right with one of Manly’s local cafes.

The Bower is located at Fairy Bower and overlooks the calm waters of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Grab a table outside and try their Green Goddess Bowl, or if you’re really hungry try the Deluxe Brekky Burger. It can be busy on weekends, but the wait is worth it.

Tucked away in one of Manly’s many laneways is Girdlers Café, a health-conscious café offering delicious food, tea, juices and smoothies. Particularly enticing are their traditional breakfast favourites made healthy. Be sure to try their Bacon & Egg Roll, which is served with homemade vegan mayo on an organic charcoal bun.

If you’re running a bit late or you just love breakfast food, Fusion Point serves up your favourite breakfasts all day. Or if you want to mix it up, try one of their Chef’s Breakfast Specials.

Fika Swedish Kitchen is a brightly decorated Swedish café in Market Lane. It was one of Sydney’s first Swedish eateries and offers delicious handmade treats and Scandinavian breakfast favourites.

Join a local tour

Now you’re fuelled up, it’s time for a tour.

If you’re interested in the history of Manly we have two great tours available.

The Quarantine Wander History Tour is on daily at 11am Mon-Thu and 10am Fri-Sun at Q Station, North Head. During this tour you will learn about the history and daily life of the residents at the Quarantine Station.

If you’re more interested in the general history of Manly, then the History and Heritage Tour run by Manly Visitor Information Centre might be more your style. You’ll learn about the town’s history, places of interest, how Manly got it’s name and much more.

For a tour with an aquatic difference, join an underwater snorkelling adventure.

Located between Manly Beach and Shelly Beach and home to more than 200 fish species, invertebrates and algae, Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve is one of the best places to snorkel in Sydney. Join a tour with Ecotreasures and go in search of some of our local endangered species such as the famous blue groupers.

If you prefer to explore Cabbage Tree Bay by yourself, you can hire a snorkel, mask and fins from Dive Centre Manly.

And remember, morning is the best time to snorkel when the water is at its calmest.

Walk this way

Manly has lots of scenic walks. One of the most beautiful and popular is the Manly Scenic Walkway. This 10km (6.2 mile) walk winds around Sydney’s most pristine beaches and coastline. Be sure to cool off in one of the many beaches along the way.

The North Head Walk is a magnificent 9km loop featuring Manly Beach, Shelly Beach and the stunning clifftop Fairfax Walk overlooking the entry to Sydney Harbour.

48 hours in manly
Image courtesy of Manly Chamber of Commerce

Explore local businesses

Manly Art Gallery & Museum is dedicated to showing artists from the Northern Beaches region. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Be sure to check their ‘What’s on’ page to see the current exhibitions.

Manly has a great selection of shops from surf to boho, home-grown to global brands. Take home a piece of Manly for yourself or someone you love.

If you’re here on a weekend you should check out our local markets.

Let’s eat again

After exploring Manly you would have built up an appetite.

The Ivanhoe Hotel is located in the heart of Manly Corso. This hotel is perfect for lunches with the family and afternoon cocktails with friends, or grab a takeaway and take it to a scenic spot beside the beach.

Manly has plenty of locals-favourite Thai restaurants. Seaside Thai Gourmet is located above street level and has a fantastic deck that overlooks iconic Manly Beach. It also has great $12 lunch deals.

The Bistro at Manly Pavilion offers delicious and fresh Italian food that caters to a broad variety of tastes. The restaurant offers panoramic views of Manly Cove and North Head from this beautiful heritage building, which is only a short walk from Manly Wharf.

Enjoy an after-dinner activity

Explore one of Australia’s most haunted locations – Q Station at North Head. They have a range of spooky After Dark Tours catering for ages 8 years and over and running from 2 to 3.5 hours depending on the tour. Your guide will take you through all the old buildings such as the morgue, the shower block and the hospital.