Manly
Sydney Harbour is a natural jewel and on one of its northern beaches lies the beautiful suburb of Manly, an ideal place to while away a summer day – or two.
The best way to get to Manly is on a ferry from Circular Quay. This not only saves you from city traffic, but lets you enjoy some time on the harbour to soak up the sun and the sights. You then disembark at Manly Wharf where there’s a new food and wine centre, so you can enjoy a quick bite or a stately lunch before exploring the rest of the area.
If you take a short stroll down the esplanade from the wharf, you’ll find one of Manly’s most famous attractions, Oceanworld. Here you can take a close look at the life hidden in the harbour – including seeing sharks fed. But there’s more to Oceanworld than just fish, there’s also a range of desert creatures and some of Australia’s most venomous snakes, both of which are exhibited with an informative talk once a day. And if that’s not enough, you can even arrange a special sleepover to be given a guided nocturnal tour of the aquarium.
Just a bit further down the esplanade stands the Manly Art Gallery and Museum, a hub of cultural activities with workshops, talks, recitals, performances and, of course, exhibitions of art, photography and a collection of ceramics. The museum branch of the building is dedicated to the history of one of Sydney’s oldest resort suburbs and particularly, its changing beach culture through the last century. If you’d like to learn more about the region’s history, you should go to the Former School of Artillery at North Head. Built as a base for coastal defence before World War II, afterwards it was turned into a training facility and is now a heritage site surrounded by beautiful national parkland and only a stone’s throw from the coastal cliffs of the Head.
As it is a beach suburb, however, its biggest drawcard is the sand and the surf. There are a number of great beaches within the sheltered waters of Manly Cove and North Steyne Beach on the Tasman Sea, and they’re all fantastic places just to stop and relax. If you’re not content just lying on the sand, you can explore a number of rock pools nearby which is always a favourite for kids. Or, experience life on the water in a kayak or a small boat that can be hired for the day – and thrill-seekers should try the Epic Surf Tours ride around the Heads in the Gemini Waverider. You can even learn to surf under the instruction of professional iron men and women.
So, if you love the ocean but don’t want to leave the city, hop on a ferry and check it out for yourself. However you decide to spend your time there, Manly is sure to offer a memorable and relaxing experience.
Continue reading for more info on where to stay, where to eat and festivals in Manly.
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