The main surf beach at Manly.
Paradise… Manly beaches are just a short ferry ride from Sydney
Manly Beaches are just seven miles across Sydney’s famous harbour by ferry ride.
In this writer’s opinion, Manly, with its surf and harbour beaches, offers greater variety than the more famous Bondi.
And it really is Manly Beaches, too… because there is more than one beach. In fact, Manly has two surf beaches as well as a few sheltered (harbour) beaches, with all of them in easy walking distance of each other.
Its slogan Seven Miles from Sydney and 1000 miles from Care was coined by the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company in 1940 and is still applicable today.
The main surf beach, which is smaller than Bondi, is patrolled by life guards and is a drawcard for families and serious surfers.
Further along, on the same stretch of sand is Queenscliff Beach, an unpatrolled surf beach popular with surfers but not the safest for children.
But, if surf is not your scene, on the other side of the wide mall called The Corso is the harbour with its ferry wharf and beach – with a netted swimming area to guard against the rare shark. This beach, which has a large grassed area off the sand, is especially popular with families.
The Manly Aquarium and water slides are right next to this beach. At the wharf, there are fast food outlets as well as more quality restaurants, including the popular Bavarian Bier Cafe, serving traditional German fare and beers.
You will also find a variety of shops selling quality Australiana goods at the wharf.
But there’s more! My favourite swimming area at Manly is further along from the surf beach, Shelly Beach which also has a quality takeaway and sit-down restaurant.
Along the walkway to Shelly Beach, there is a cafe and swimming pool.
The other main harbour beach offering safe swimming is called ”Manly’s best-kept secret”, a picturesque cove in Stuart St, within walking distance of the main beaches, called Little Manly. There is a grassed area for picnicking as well as a kiosk to ensure all-day convenience.
In Manly, you can be as active or as inactive as you like. You can learn the thrill of surfing at the Manly Surf School, who supply safe, soft surfboards that are easy to paddle, stand and surf on. They hold classes for adults and children every day, all year. The Surf School is at at North Steyne Surf Club, Manly Beach. Phone: +61 2 9977 6977.
Manly’s Premier PADI Scuba Diving Centre offers dive courses from beginner to instructor level. It has guided boat and shore dives, dive travel, equipment hire, air and nitrox fills, equipment servicing, weekends away, extensive retail shop, instruction in Japanese as well as English, and expert dive advice. You can find them at 10 Belgrave St, Manly. Phone: +61 2 99774355.
Manly beaches have a more laid-back atmosphere than Bondi and has, in my opinion, better shops and other non-beach activities such as the Manly Aquarium with water slides, art gallery, eateries and accommodation.
The Steyne pub back from the beach is a famous watering hole, fronting The Corso. Closed to vehicular traffic, The Corso is where all the shops and eateries are located.
In The Corso, there is often entertainment from buskers as well as markets on the weekends.
In fact, many people come to Manly to take in all these attractions apart from the beaches. All through the year, people flock to Manly – for the beaches, shopping or dining in The Corso, walking along the promenade facing the beach. With plenty of tables and seats along the promenade, people often buy fish and chips from one of the premier seafood shops to sit and admire the view and sea air. Just watch out for those hungry sea gulls who love to swoop on food, especially if you are silly enough to throw them a few chips or a piece of fish.
Getting there: The best way to get to Manly is by ferry from Circular Quay but there are also bus services from the City, the Northern Beaches, St Leonards and Epping.
Related posts: