Manly is the perfect short vacation

Whether you come from away or live locally, Manly is the perfect holiday spot. Call it a staycay, call it a mini-break or call it a side trip, we’ve got the adventure, entertainment, eateries and accommodation to colour your life or your holiday. 

Give us two nights and a day and we’ll give you a time to remember. So read on for an itinerary to make sure you don’t miss a thing. 

Rise and shine! Start the day with the healing benefits of group exercise classes by the water with Manly Lifestyle Club’s pilates and stretch classes. 

After working up an appetite there are so many great spots for breakfast, but none can beat breakfast with a water view. It is Manly after all. 

Perched on the Manly Beach promenade, The Pantry Manly gazes across the sand, over the waves and all the way to the horizon. They have all the breakfast classics but with a twist, like buttermilk pancakes with candied walnuts, and smashed avocado with ricotta and chilli jam. Expect great customer service, delicious food and views forever. 

If you skipped the exercise in favour of a sleep-in, grab a quick takeaway instead and sit by the beach. No visit to Manly would be complete without trying a coffee and unbelievable croissant from Rollers Bakehouse. To maintain interest and surprised delight they have an ever-changing menu, but for some mouth-tingling inspo consider previous delights such as gingerbread twice-baked croissant brushed with a ginger spice syrup filled with a pecan and gingerbread biscuit frangipane. All pastries are baked daily. 

It’s now time to walk off breakfast with a stunning scenic hike. A local favourite is the 9km walk around North Head Sanctuary. You’ll enjoy hidden beaches, native wildlife, historical sights and scenic views across Sydney Harbour. The entire walk should take about 3 hours return. 

We suggest completing the walk in an anti-clockwise direction so you exit the national park on the ocean side at Shelly Beach and Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, where you can take a swim or maybe pop on snorkel and goggles and get up close and personal with one of Manly’s favourite marine animals, the Blue Groper. For an underwater tour with a local expert, contact EcoTreasures or Snorkelling Shelly Beach. 

Image courtesy of Destination NSW

Surely it’s time for lunch, right? You’re in the perfect spot for a beachside bite at The Boathouse Shelly Beach or The Bower. Both restaurants serve delicious fresh seafood and have stunning ocean views. On the weekends the tables fill up quickly but it’s definitely worth the wait. You can also order takeaway. 

In the afternoon, explore Manly’s alleys and tiny arcades to find some of the best independent shops. If your visit happens to coincide with a weekend, make sure you have a look at Manly Markets 2095 on The Corso and Sydney Road. 

Take a stroll across to the harbour side and visit Manly Art Gallery and Museum. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 5pm. They have innovative and distinctive exhibitions and cultural programs, alongside an extensive collection of Australian art, ceramics and beach culture. To see what’s on at the gallery have a look at their website. 

After a day exploring Manly, it’s time to say goodbye to the sun from a great vantage point at Manly Cove. 

For a refreshing ale or cocktail try Hugos, which is famous for its afternoon sundowners. Enjoy dinner across the road at Italian restaurant Fratelli Fresh, which offers Italian classics with a menu that combines simplicity, robust flavours and fresh produce. Or if you’re looking for a more lively dining experience with a sunset backdrop, try Felons Manly on Manly Wharf. 

After dinner, roll straight into Felons Barrell Room for live music, or head up The Corso and down the stairs to our latest exciting night-time experience, The Gopher.  

If you’re after something a little different, try a spooky ghost tour at Q Station, which is one of Australia’s most haunted sites. You’ll be entertained as your guide recounts intriguing stories of Q Station’s history and the spirits that still linger there. 

Where to stay?

When staying in Manly we recommend accommodation with water views and only a short walk to all the main attractions. 

Manly Pacific is located opposite stunning Manly Beach. Most rooms feature a balcony, where you can admire the area’s beauty without leaving your hotel room. 

Hotel Steyne, the oldest pub in Manly, also offers rooms on the beachfront at the end of Manly Corso. It’s a great place to relax after a long day exploring Manly. 

Manly Paradise Beachfront Motel and Apartments is located in an ideal location right by Manly Beach. They also have a roof-top swimming pool and sundeck for you to cool off and admire the view. 

For relaxed sophistication, Peppers Manly Beach could be your pick with its oceanfront rooms and a hop, skip, jump to the ocean. 

If you’re looking for something with a bit more character … and possibly a ghost or two, stay behind after your spooky tour and enjoy the comfort and convenience of contemporary Q Station, sprawled across the hillside on the very edge of Sydney Harbour. 

So there you have it – a short vacation that fulfills a very tall order of combining top-notch adventure, sparkling entertainment, high-end eateries and luxury accommodation, and all this only a short ride from the city centre.