Things to do in Manly: The ultimate guide

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Chris Singh was born and raised in the Western Sydney suburb of Greystanes and has lived in many places across the city since he was 18 years old. With 16 years of experience in online media, Chris has served as both an editor and freelance writer across publications like The AU Review, Boss Hunting and International Traveller. His favourite suburbs in Sydney are Darlinghurst, Manly, Newtown and Summer Hill.
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Looking for things to do in Manly? We don’t want you scrambling all over Google trying to piece together your perfect day out in Manly, so we’ve put together what we feel is your one-stop-shop of what to do when you find yourself exploring the gateway for Sydney’s Northern Beaches.


Why is it named Manly?

Manly was named such by Governor Arthur Phillip when the First Fleet arrived in 1788. As the history books report, the British coloniser was impressed by the “confidence and manly behaviour” of the local Eora people, who would wade into the water to examine the boats. This is what led Phillip to name this part of the world Manly Cove.


The iconic Manly Ferry is the best way to get to this side of Sydney Harbour. (Image: DNSW).

How to get to Manly

Manly Ferry

The best way to get to Manly is via the world-famous Manly Ferry, a 20-minute (or 30-minute, depending on what ferry you catch) expedition across Sydney Harbour with close-up views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House on the way. Tourists especially love this method as it’s an affordable way to see the quintessential Sydney Harbour sights.

How much does the Manly Ferry cost?

There are two forms of the Manly Ferry, the regular F1 Manly Ferry (which takes 30 minutes) and the Manly Fast Ferry (which takes 20 minutes). Prices vary for these services, with both priced between $8-$12 per trip depending on time and location. Tickets can be purchased online at the wharves, or you can tap on with a supported Credit Card, Debit Card or Opal Card.

The main route for these ferries is directly between Circular Quay and Manly Wharf.

Getting to Manly by bus

If you’re trying to get from Sydney CBD to Manly then your best bet is going to Wynyard and catching the 170X express bus service, which only has a few stops so is able to get you to the beach much faster.

Getting to Manly by car

If you’re driving from the CBD then you can expect to reach Manly in a bit under 30 minutes via a quick and easy route.


Top attractions in Manly

Manly Wharf is a pillar of the local community. (Image: DNSW).

Manly Wharf

Manly Wharf is typically the first impression visitors have if they’ve never been to the Northern Beaches before. The heritage-listed passenger terminal is bustling at all hours of the day, heavily weighted towards casual dining, bakeries, fast food and even an Aldi. The most popular, however, is modern brewpub Felons Manly, replacing the long-standing Wharf Bar with a cutting-edge brewpub that also hosts a regular run club for the local community (and yes, you’re offered a nice cold beer at the end of the run).

Other popular restaurants at Manly Wharf include Hugo’s, a perennially packed institution best known for large, classic pizza. There’s also Merivale’s Queen Chow Manly for high-end Cantonese and the party-minded El Camino Cantina with its enormous slushies and seemingly endless plates of nachos.

North Head is packed with incredible views over Sydney Harbour. (Image: DNSW).

North Head Santuary

Stunning natural beauty and panoramic views of Sydney Harbour regularly draw people up to North Head Sanctuary, which has over 10-kilometres of walking tracks and a free Harbour Trust tour you can join to explore the area’s history and military fortifications. It’s the most essential section of Sydney Harbour National Park, which stretches beyond Manly and offers some of the greatest views in the world.

If you’re heading along, make sure you’re well-equipped with the luxury of time. It’s easy to cut through a few hours walking around the many trails and taking the many requisite photos of Sydney Harbour’s peerless beauty. Such a stunning location deserves a full day.

Staying a night at Q Station is only for the bravest souls among us, with the famous haunted area once used as Sydney’s official quarantine station. (Image: City of Sydney).

Q Station

Is Q Station the most haunted place in Sydney? If you know its history, there’s really no other option for ghostly sightings and strange occurrences. Sydney’s major Quarantine Station operated between 1832 and 1984, built to house people who contracted a deadly, infectious illness when they sailed to Australia on ships from 1828 onwards.

Smallpox, typhoid, scarlet fever, Spanish flu, plague and typhus were common back then and became a frequent problem in Sydney. As such, Q Station saw more than a few deaths while it operated as the city’s major Quarantine Station, with arrivals ferried straight to the site to begin their 40-day quarantine.

After ownership of the heritage-listed site was transferred to the State Government on March 16, 1984, Q Station was incorporated into the larger Sydney Harbour National Park, setting it on a path to complete recovery and beginning a series of refurbishments.

Now, Q Station is a lauded part of North Head with cottages turned into accommodation, the acclaimed Boilerhouse Kitchen & Bar and the 200-metre Quarantine Beach, which is one of Manly’s hidden gems and is often packed with local families setting up picnics.

If you’re looking for the paranormal, book in with Quarantine Ghost Tours ($65), who offer a popular two-and-a-half-hour Ghostly Encounters Tour from 7pm on Wednesdays through to Sundays. If you want to see the most haunted space on the site, make sure your guide takes you to Gravedigger’s Cottage. The tour guides sometimes skip the building if they feel some guests are too nervous. The silhouette to look out for? A man in a black coat and wide-brimmed hat.

Queenscliff Tunnel is one of Sydney’s most underrated photography spots, especially for sunset over Sydney Harbour. (Image: City of Sydney).

Queenscliff Tunnel

Queenscliff Tunnel is one of those hidden Manly secrets tourists often miss on their visit to the Northern Beaches. The best way to access this gorgeously picturesque cave is to walk the Manly Lagoon to North Head trail, a 10-kilometre loop looking over the edge of Sydney Harbour.

When you arrive at Manly Beach, veer to the far left of the shore and you’ll eventually spot a dark spot in a cliff. That’s Queenscliff Tunnel, otherwise known as the Manly Wormhole. It’s a 40-metre channel poking from the rocks of Queenscliff Head, sandwiched between the Queenscliff and Freshwater beaches.

You’ll just need to walk past the tiny rock pool and climb up the cliff. Once at the top, walk towards the tunnel when you see a big pink heart graffiti and you’ll find the opening. Congratulations! You’ve just discovered one of Manly’s best secrets and a superb photography spot during sunset.

Tip: The cliffs can be quite slippery so please wear comfortable, no-sleep shoes for stability. You’ll also want to avoid high tide and particularly temperamental weather.


Beaches in Manly

Manly is an absolute force when it comes to Sydney’s by-the-beach lifestyle. On the wharf side of the Corso, you’re kissed with beautiful harbour beaches like Manly Cove Beach and Little Manly Beach. On the other side of headland is where you’ll find the most famous ocean beaches, with some of the best surfing in Australia. The stretchy Manly Beach is just as famous as Bondi nowadays, and even the most cynical of locals would never tire of walking around to Shelly Beach. Then you’ve got many secret beaches around Manly.

Manly Beach is consistently rated as one of the best beaches in the world. (Image: DNSW).

Manly Beach

One of Australia’s most famous ocean beaches, Manly Beach, was the site of the first World Surfing Championship in 1964. The gorgeous, towering Norfolk Island Pines line the path that stretches along the two-kilometre beach shade people while they lounge around having picnics or exercising, building up a gorgeous aesthetic set against oceanfront restaurants and mid-rise apartments.

The beach hosts regular festivals and events on the sand, but any day of the weekโ€”as long as the weather behavesโ€”you’ll find people playing beach volleyball, families setting up picnics on the beach, and dozens of surfers enjoying the breaks. It’s the most quintessential Manly Ocean Beach.

The sand slightly curves for two-kilometres from South Steyne to North Steyne and Queenscliff, which is where you’ll find the Manly Wormhole.

In 2024, Manly Beach was ranked the best beach in Sydney and the seventh best beach in the world by TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards.

Shelly Beach is a short walk from Manly Beach and is popular with locals due to its sheltered waters. (Image: Wikipedia).

Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is often more popular amongst families than Manly beach because it’s sheltered and significantly calmer. Carving out a section of Cabbage Tree Bay, the beautiful beach is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving thanks to its relatively shallow waters.

You’ll spot plenty of surfers here as well, given Shelley Beach has some of Sydney’s best surf breaks.

Manly Cove Beach is split in two by Manly Wharf. (Image: DNSW).

Manly Cove Beach

Manly Cove Beach is the first patch of sand you’ll see if you’re catching the ferry into Manly. Split into two by Manly Wharf, the tranquil harbour beach is a popular places to picnics, swimming and SUP thanks to its calm water and shark nets. You’ll typically see families with toddlers milling around the beach given its safety and reliability.

East Manly Cove Beach is usually the most populated part, towards the Manly Wharf Hotel side. The west patch of sand, which stretches all the way to the historic Manly Pavilion, is usually empty as the water on this side isn’t as nice.

Delwood Beach sits to the west of Manly Cove. (Image: Facebook)

Delwood Beach

Facing south, to the west of Manly Cove, Delwood Beach is a beautiful little secluded beach that many tourists miss. It’s bordered by rocks and is often one of the quietest beaches in Sydney. That’s why you’ll usually find only a few locals milling around, a lot of people reading books and couples enjoying a beach picnic. It is the western-most beach in Manly before you start to inch into Fairlight.

Little Bay Beach is just a short walk from Manly Cove. (Image: Northern Beaches Council).

Little Manly Beach

Squeezing into an alcove just a short walk east from Manly Cove, Little Manly Beach is a great spot of families with young children due to its protected, calm waters. There’s a netted area that’s popular for swimming lessons and a sizeable grassy area for picnics with a kiosk, toilets and shower facilities nearby.

Collins Flat Beach not only has a colony of penguins, but it’s the only Sydney beach with a waterfall. (Image: NSW Government).

Collins Flat Beach

Further east of Manly Cove lies Collins Flat Beach, which is a nice little hike up Little Manly Beach Track and feels almost private due to its hidden nature. The real attraction here is that surprising waterfall that cascades at one of the end of the beach, making it the only beach in Sydney with such a distinctive feature. Another point of distinction: penguins. Yes, these tiny waddlers are common sights at certain times of the day while mostly families and couples lounge around on the sands and enjoy the calm harbour waters.

Store Beach is a great choice if you want to mix bushwalking with swimming. (Image: Facebook).

Store Beach

Store Beach is easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Manly owing to its mix of soft golden sand and surrounding bushland. There are many beaches around Manly where privacy is a key factor, but Store Beach feels genuinely secluded from the rest of the world. And while you can walk there, the path is unmarked and hard to follow. Most people actually arrive by boat or kayak to the beach, which means you won’t find much competition when it comes time to set up a beach picnic.

Quarantine Beach is the most secluded beach in Manly. (Image: Q Station).

Quarantine Beach

A popular beach for swimming, kayaking and snorkelling, Quarantine Beach sits on the edge of the Q Station complex and holds plenty of history. There’s a museum at the visitor centre on the wharf that showcases artefacts and found objects telling the stories of the quarantine station’s many former inhabitants, and the journeys they took to get here. Plus, you’ve got direct access to Boilerhouse Kitchen & Bar in case you feel like lunch after a swim.


Water activities in Manly

The famous Manly Surf School offers a great range of packages. (Image: Manly Surf School).

Manly Surf School

The multi-award-winning Manly Surf School opened in 1995 and is driven by highly experienced, knowledgeable and supportive staff for surfers of any experience. Beginners are best served by this long-standing institution, seeing as the group surfing classes are both approachable and educational.

Manly Surf School also has the largest scope of workshops and classes to appeal to people of all ages. You can book online and choose from a range that includes a school holiday program, women’s program, adult group lessons, elite training, a schools safe surfing program, after school lessons and private lessons. The school also offers circuit training and even skate lessons.

Prices: From $140 for a private lesson; from $85 for group lessons (adult).

Manly Kayak Centre is the place to go to rent kayaks, SUP and self-drive boats. (Image: Manly Kayak Centre).

Manly Kayak Centre

Located next to Felons Brewing Co. on Manly Wharf, Manly Kayak Centre is a choice for anyone after a more gentle, low-intensity on-water activity. The institution’s 90-minute mini group tours are only $65 each, making them a popular choice for families looking for things to do in Manly with kids, then you’ve got kayak hire with $30 per hour, self-drive boat hire from $140 and SUP hire from $30. It’s a great way to take advantage of Manly Cove’s calm waters and see the spectacular coastline from the harbour.

Prices: From $30 for kayak and SUP hire; from $140 for self-drive boat hire; from $65 for mini group tours.

Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve is where you go in Manly to witness diverse marine life. (Image: DNSW).

Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve

Covering an area of approximately 20 hectares, Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve is the place to go be if you’re in Manly to snorkel and explore Sydney’s diverse marine life. This patch of ocean measures in around 20 hectares and is sandwiched between Shelley Beach and Manly Beach, so you could fit in a dive at the start of the day and end with lunch on either patch of sand before exploring everything The Corso has to offer.


The best restaurants in Manly

Manly Thai Gourmet is one of the best Thai restaurants in Sydney. (Image: Instagram).

1. Manly Thai Gourmet

Price Guide: $$

Looking for the best Thai food in Sydney? Most locals would direct visitors to Newtown or Chinatown to search for the flavours of Thailand, but Manly Thai Gourmet has always been a closely-guarded locals’ secret. Personally, I think it’s one of the most consistent Thai restaurants in Australia, simple and tucked away on the top of an unmarked building, overlooking Manly Beach with some lovely terrace seating.

Address: 1/33 S Steyne, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: 0431 334 788
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (11:30am – 3pm; 5pm – 9pm)
Social Media: Instagram

Fika is one of the only restaurants in Sydney serving Scandinavian classics. (Image: Instagram).

2. Fika the Cafe

Price Guide: $$

There aren’t too many restaurants in Sydney that venture all the way up to Northern Europe, but the Scandi-flavoured Fika Swedish Kitchen does things differently in both Manly and Bondi Beach. Manly was the first outpost, opening in 2013 to immediate acclaim with the bright, vibrant cafe committed to making everything from scratch, even the meatballs and all the dips, sauces and skagen. As the cafe became more popular, the owners also added a bakery, furthering Fika’s place at the centre of Manly’s tight-knit community.

Address: 5B Market Ln, Manly NSW 2095
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (7am – 2pm)
Social Media: Instagram

Busta keeps things simple with delicious pasta and wine. (Image: Instagram).

3. Busta

Price Guide: $$

Every suburb in Sydney needs a signature pasta-and-wine-bar, and Busta gladly rises to the occasion. The local favourite, simple and unadorned, is popular for group dinners in Manly thanks to its tightly curated vino menu and the kitchen’s consistency. There are only three pastas on the menu at a time, coupled with a curated list of antipasti favourite and a few “not-a-pasta” options like whole fish with lime butter and Borrowdale pork loin with rainbow chard.

Address: 10 Pittwater Rd, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 8966 9917
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday (5:30pm – 10pm); Saturday (12pm – 10pm); Sunday (4pm – 9pm)
Social Media: Instagram

Sunset Sabi earns top marks as one of Manly’s favourite restaurants. (Image: Instagram).

4. Sunset Sabi

Price Guide: $$

Sunset Sabi is the best Japanese restaurant in Manly. Not that there are many of those around, but this wonderfully relaxed, perennially packed favourite nails the balance between price point, consistency and atmosphere. You’ll find locals crowding into the spot on any given night, mostly in large groups with tables cluttered by bowls of karaage chicken, plates of fresh sashimi, wagyu gyoza and sushi rolls.

Address: 26/28 Pittwater Rd, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 9977 7461
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday (5:30pm – 10:30pm); Thursday (5:30pm – 11pm); Friday (5pm – 11pm); Saturday (4pm – 11pm); Sunday (4pm – 10pm)
Social Media: Instagram

Pocket Pizza is an easy pick for Manly’s favourite pizza joint. (Image: supplied).

5. Pocket Pizza

Price Guide: $$

Constantly cited as one of Sydney’s best pizza restaurantsโ€”certainly the most consistent on Sydney’s Northern Beachesโ€”Pocket Pizza is an easy pick for any big groups looking to share a slice of third-wave pies with simple, delicious toppings like the Gordon Hamsey (think Hawaiian pizza on steroids), Legalise Marinara (a vegan pizza) and fan-favourite Netflix & Chilli, which has Fior di Latte, ‘nduja, ricotta, salami, chilli flakes and honey on a tomato base.

Address: 46 Pittwater Rd, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 9977 1872
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday (5pm – 10pm); Friday – Sunday (4pm – 10pm)
Social Media: Instagram

Cabaria is one of the best new restaurants in Sydney
Alessandro has a new beachside kitchen with the excellent Cibaria. (Image: Instagram).

6. Cibaria Manly

Price Guide: $$

Alessandro and Anna Pavoni are clearly at their best when thereโ€™s a waterside location and Italian cuisine involved. The pair have given Sydney some of its most endearing coastal Italian institutions like the romantic Ormeggio at the Spit and Crown Sydneyโ€™s aโ€™Mare. Now theyโ€™ve taken another pop at Northern Beaches glamour with the opening of Cibaria at the newly renovated (and recently award-winning) Manly Pacific Hotel.

Address: 55 N Steyne, Manly NSW 2095
Contact (02) 9977 7666
Opening Hours: Monday โ€“ Sunday (11:30am โ€“ late)
Social Media: Instagram


Best bars & pubs in Manly

Henry G’s is one of the only wine bars in Manly. (Image: Instagram).

1. Henry G’s Wine Parlour

Price Guide: $$

Henry G’s Wine Parlour is a relative new kid on the block, helping modernise Manly’s long-standing bar scene, which to date has been mostly driven by those big, hardy pubs like the Ivanhoe and Hotel Steyne. You’ll find it on the wharf side of the Corso, sporting a nice, old-timey aesthetic with more than 2000 antique books lining the shelves and beautiful plush leather seating to give it a gorgeous, lived-in feel. The extensive wine list is the main drawcard, as is the tight menu of Pinxtos and regular live music from local pianists.

Address: 11 The Corso, Manly NSW 2095
Contact:  (02) 9058 2870
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday (4pm – 12am); Saturday (2pm – 12am); Sunday (2pm – 10pm)

henrygs.com.au

Enjoy the autumn sun at Felons Manly. (Image supplied).

2. Felons Manly

Price Guide: $$

Felons Manly only recently opened, replacing the long-standing Manly Wharf Bar with a modern brewpub from one of Sydney’s most reliable beer producers. Now it’s an inseparable part of daily life in Manly, even corralling the community with its free weekly run club (with a free beer at the end), and luxe-for-less weekly specials like Champagne & Lobster.

Address: 11 The Corso, Manly NSW 2095
Contact:  (02) 9058 2870
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday (4pm – 12am); Saturday (2pm – 12am); Sunday (2pm – 10pm)

felonsbrewingco.com.au

The Cumberland is one of the most stylish speakeasy bars on the Northern Beaches. (Image: The Cumberland / Dan Gosse).

3. The Cumberland

Price Guide: $$

Head on over to Cove Deli in the evening and open the 1920s fridge door in the corner. This smallgoods business obscures one of the most stylish speakeasy bars in Sydney, with The Cumberland buried beneath the shopfront down a beautiful spiral staircase. There aren’t many bars in Sydney that feel truly hidden anymore, so the air of exclusivity is part of the experience as you sink into one of those scalloped banquettes and order up rounds of Martinis.

Address: 17/19 Central Ave, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 9058 2877
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Thursday (5pm – 12am); Friday – Saturday (5pm – 1am); Sunday (4pm – 10pm)

The view from Manly 16ft Skiff Club has been luring locals and visitors for decades. (Image: Manly 16ft Skiff Club).

4. Manly 16ft Skiff Club

Price Guide: $$$

Is this the best view in Manly? As far as food and drink go, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere more magical than the lovely outdoor terrace at Manly 16ft Skiff Club on one of Sydney’s characteristically perfect summer days. The club features a bar and bistro that’s a cut above what you’d find at a similar members-only clubs around Sydney, offering elevated pub food and a massive drinks list in one of the city’s most glorious settings.

Address: Cnr East Esplanade &, Stuart St, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 9977 3322
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday (12pm – 10pm); Thursday (11am – 11pm); Friday – Saturday (11am – 12am); Sunday (11am – 10pm)

4 Pines Manly is still one of the beach suburb’s most important communal hubs. (Image: Instagram).

4 Pines Brewing Company

Price Guide: $$

While Felons has been all the rage lately for Manly locals, it’s hard to discount what 4 Pines has done for the Northern Beaches. The reliable brewers still run one of the best brewpubs in Sydney with 4 Pines Brewing Company, just a short skip from Manly Wharf in a semi-open space that looks over the water. Grabbing a beer and a burger while looking over to the beach is a quintessential Manly experience.

Address: 29/43-45 E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: 0491 970 731
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday (11am – 12am); Sunday (11am – 10pm)


Best Hotels in Manly

Manly Pacific hotel
Manly Pacific Hotel is the only property in Australia where you can watch surfers from the rooftop. (Image: DSNW).

Manly Pacific Hotel

Price Guide: $$$

Owing to a recent multi-million-dollar refurbishment, a drab former Novotel with a long and storied history has now turned into Manly Pacific MGallery, dusting itself up with a slick, modern refresh. The rooms haven’t changed too much, but they’ve been given a fresh coat of paint and refined creature comforts. The hotel really gets by on two things: it’s glamorous rooftop pool overlooking the beach, and the excellent Cibaria.

Address: 55 N Steyne, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 9977 7666
Rates: Approx. $379 per night

manlypacific.com.au

Q Station makes up for its haunted history with beautiful rooms spilling out to nature. (Image supplied).

Q Station

Price Guide: $$

There aren’t many boutique hotels around Sydney that speak to both nature and history buffs as loudly as they do comfort-seekers. The thrilling boutique accommodation at Q Station places you in the heart of Sydney Harbour National Park, giving you your own private beach and direct access to one of our most underrated restaurants, Boilerhouse Kitchen & Bar. Just try to ignore anything that goes bump in the night. It may be haunted, but fear is a small price to put for Q Station’s unique accommodations.

Address: 1 N Head Scenic Dr, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 9466 1500
Rates: From $184 per night

qstation.com.au

Peppers Manly Beach is located at the western end of Manly Beach. (Image supplied).

Peppers Manly Beach

Price Guide: $$$

While Manly Pacific is the suburb’s signature luxury offering, and Q Station makes a play for distinction, Peppers Manly Beach gets by with its large, family-style apartments and premium furnishings. The four-star hotel is located at the western edge of Manly Beach, which means it’s more convenient if you want to snorkel at Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve or go for a dip at Shelly Beach.

Address: 8 S Steyne, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 9977 8866
Rates: Approx. $288 per night

peppersmanlybeach.com.au


Arts and Culture in Manly

The Manly Art Gallery and Museum opened in 1982 and features over 1000 works of art. (Image: Museums & Galleries of NSW).

Manly Art Gallery & Museum

Located on Manly Cove, the Manly Art Gallery and Museum opened in 1982 and has long been the keeper of Northern Beaches lore. Beach culture pervades the gallery, but the scope is wide and features over 1,000 watercolours, prints, etchings, drawings and paintings mainly from local artists. The permanent collection contains over 6,000 objects so there’s plenty to see, including 130 works by Antonio Dattilo Rubbo.

Address: 1a West Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 8495 5036
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday (10am – 5pm)

northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Inside Gallery 109, located just 700 metres from Manly Wharf. (Image: Gallery 109).

Gallery 109

Gallery 109 serves as an incubator for the local art scene in Manly, and so you’ll find a constant flow of new solo and group exhibitions when you enter from Sydney Road. The Manly art gallery is only a short walk, 700-metre walk from Manly Wharf and there is a bus stop right outside so it’s very accessible for both locals and visitors.

Address: 109 Sydney Rd, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: 0414 961 748
Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday (11am – 4pm)

The Aboriginal Dreamtime Gallery is popular for both paintings and woolen rugs. (Image: Aboriginal Dreamtime Gallery).

Aboriginal Dreamtime Gallery

Located along The Corso, the Aboriginal Dreamtime Gallery is a great place to buy Aboriginal art in Sydney with its extensive collection of fine art showcasing work from all across Australia. Locals refurbishing their homes frequent the space because of its rich stock of woolen rugs.

Address: 36 The Corso, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: (02) 9977 3677
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (10am – 5pm); Saturday (10am – 5pm); Sunday (10am – 4pm)


Outdoor activities in Manly

Biking Around Manly

Hit up Manly Bikes on Belgrave Street if you want to hire a pair of wheels and cycle around Manly’s spectacular coastline. The breezy outdoor activity is one of the best ways to navigate the beach suburb’s hilly streets and esplanades, with hire starting from $35 per hour for a Hybrid Bike.

Address: 54 West Esplanade, Entrance/off Belgrave St, Manly NSW 2095
Contact: 0468 743 848
Price: From $35 per hour

manlybikes.com.au

Spit Bridge to Manly walk

Sydney has many life-affirming coastal walks, but few are as rewarding and richly rounded than the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk. The well-marked trail only takes around an hour and is just over 4-kilometers. It’s only a Grade 3 rating for this one so its suitable for all ages, passing by many of Sydney’s best views from the sand and bush to the boardwalks and occasional stairs. Visual highlights include Clontarf Reserve, the Grotto Point Aboriginal engraving site, Crater Cove Lookout, Forty Baskets Beach, Castle Rock Beach, Manly Environment Centre and, of course, Manly Beach. Dogs are not allowed.

So, where to start? You can tackle the walk in either direction but most people choose to begin at Spit Bridge and zoom along Fisher Bay Walk.

sydney.com

Manly Lagoon to North Head

Want something more intensive? The 10.0-kilometre Manly Beach via North Head trail takes just under three hours to complete and is consistently one of the busiest tracks in Sydney between November and April. The trail can be quite rocky and there’s not too much shade, so make sure you’re well prepared before tackling this walk, which on the more popular North Head side starts from the car park off Scenic Drive and passes through beautiful lookouts including Old Quarry and Shelly Headland.

sydney.com


Events and festivals in Manly

Manly Markets

Fresh produce, local crafts and interesting gifts line the Corso each weekend at one of Sydney’s most regular open-air markets. You’ll find dozens of stalls from local makers every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm, shouldering a regular feature of Manly’s beachy lifestyle that has been operating since 1997.

Where: The Corso, Manly
When: Saturday – Sunday (10am – 5pm)

manlymarkets2095.com

Manly Jazz

Fancy some jazz by the beach? For a three-day stretch in September, some of Australia’s best jazz musicians descend upon Manly to fill The Corso’s many bars, pubs and pop-up outdoor venues with all types of jazz, from swing to more modern styles. Dates tend to differ but this long-established event, which has been running for over 40 years and is Australia’s oldest jazz festival. The Corso mightn’t be as rowdy and rough as Bourbon Street, but for three days of the year, Manly sounds like New Orleans.

northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Night at the Barracks has given Sydney a brand new live music series to love during spring. (Image: Night at the Barracks / Pat Stevenson).

Night at the Barracks

Night at the Barracks is a fairly new festival for Manly, setting up a massive stage along North Head Scenic Drive to squeeze big-ticket live music gigs into one of the most dramatically beautifully parts of Sydney. Everyone from The Presets to Icehouse and Matt Corby have taken to the North Head Sanctuary festival grounds, which extends from Q Station and is framed by food and drink stalls. Dates tend to differ but you’ll typically find this live music series running between mid-September to early-October.

Where: 33 N Head Scenic Dr, Manly NSW 2095
When: mid-September to early-October

nightatthebarracks.com.au

The Manly Writers’ Festival is pencilled in for three days in March each year. (Image: Facebook).

Manly Writers’ Festival

The Manly Writers’ Festival floods Manly with writers, thinkers and poets during a three-day stretch each March, set on exploring various social and historical issues through the lens of tremendous storytelling. Notable authors and aspiring creatives fill some of best bars and venues on the Corso with heady discussions on all kinds of topics. The line up is generally announced at the start of each year, giving people plenty of time to pick and choose through a long list of events.

northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

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