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What to do in Manly
Image courtesy of Destination NSW

Even if your time in Manly is limited, your experience doesn’t have to be. Read on for tips on packing the most punch into your trip.

There are a number of options for getting to Manly, with the most scenic being the Manly Ferry, which arrives in Manly from Circular Quay every 10-15 minutes. Jump on at Wharf 3 in the city and you’ll be in paradise in 30 minutes max; 18 minutes if you take the fast ferry.

When you arrive, grab a coffee at one of the many local coffee shops and head up to Manly Beach – only a 5-minute walk from Manly Wharf and through the centre of Manly Village.

Turn right on the beach front and take the beautiful oceanside walk to Shelly Beach, nestled into Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, a stunning marine park known for its amazing snorkelling and scuba diving.

To see the most of Manly in a short time, hire a bike or e-bike from Manly Bikes. Cruise the beachfront, then head up to North Head to enjoy the spectacular views over Manly, the Northern Beaches, Sydney Harbour and Sydney city. Be sure to park your bike and do the Fairfax Walk circuit, perched over the entrance to Sydney Harbour on top of 90m high cliffs.

A quicker – and easier – way to North Head is on the 161 bus, which runs every 30 minutes from Stand C outside the Manly Visitor Information Centre at Manly Wharf Forecourt.

After you’re trip to North Head you’re sure to be hungry and thirsty. The iconic Hotel Steyne, opposite Manly Beach and the oldest pub in Manly, has you covered on both.

At the end of your day in Manly, time your ferry ride back to the city to catch the sunset behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.