Manly, Sydney
Manly is a coastal town in the Northern beaches of Sydney. A short 20 minutes ferry ride from Circular Quay next to the Opera House, and you’ll be cruising in to the picturesque Wharf and Office Beach. The town is known for its stunning beaches, surf, snorkeling, Corso, and Cafes/Restaurants.
Where is Manly?
The coastal town of Manly is located in North East of Sydney, New South Wales, and is home to almost fifty thousand people.
1.
Manly Beach
Manly Beach is a highlight and our top thing to do when visiting Manly. The 1.5km long beach is known for its beautiful golden sands, clear waters, surfing, volleyball, and relaxed vibe. Whether you’re surfing, swimming, or simply enjoying the view, it’s a perfect spot to unwind. After your time on the beach, explore the nearby cafés and bars, or take a walk along the scenic promenade.
2.
Corso
The Corso is the main high street that runs down the centre of the town. The lively pedestrian strip that connects Manly Beach to the ferry wharf is a busy spot. It’s lined with shops, cafés, restaurants, and surf stores, making it a great spot to grab a bite, shop for souvenirs, or just people-watch. The Corso has a relaxed vibe and is perfect for a leisurely walk as you soak in the beachside atmosphere.
Cabbage Tree Bay Nature Reserve is home to Shelly Beach, and stunning kelp forest and diverse marine life. Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve is a fantastic spot for snorkeling and located in the bay at the South of Manly Beach, and includes the popular Shelly Beach. The sheltered bay are generally calm and protected from the open ocean, perfect for exploring vibrant marine life suchas the Eastern Blue Groper, Wobbegong Sharks, and the native Giant Cuttlefish. The area is part of a protected marine reserve, ensuring a rich underwater experience.
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4.
Manly to Shelly Walk
The walk from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach is a scenic, coastal trail that takes you along the waters of Cabbage Tree Bay with stunning ocean views. It’s about a 20-minute walk each way and offers a peaceful walk from the busy Corso. Along the way, you can spot local wildlife such as the Brush Turkeys and Water Dragons. The walk leads to the serene Shelly Beach, perfect for a relaxing swim or snorkel. There is a Cafe on the walk and at Shelly Beach.
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5.
Surfing
When visiting Manly Beach in Sydney, you can enjoy surfing in the vibrant, laid-back atmosphere. Manly Beach, which is a short walk from the Wharf, up to the top of the Corso, offers waves for all levels—smaller ones at the southern end for beginners and bigger breaks further north for more experienced surfers. The beach is a very popular spot for a surf, with surf hire shops opposite the beach. There is a council parking bay which runs along the beach front, be aware of the parking fees.
6.
Northhead Walk & Lookout
North Head Sanctuary is at the very South of Manly, and is a NSW National Park. North Head offers Bush walk trails which takes you through lush bushland and along cliff edges, offering stunning panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, the city skyline, and the Pacific Ocean. The walk can be started at Shelly Beach, or Little Manly Beach and Collins Beach leads to the Nort Head Lookout, a perfect spot to take in the breathtaking scenery. The Sydney Skyline look out has parking and is accessible by foot, cycle, or drive and there is a Cafe near the Barracks. Steeped in history, North Head Sanctuary in Manly holds cultural significance for the Guringai people, was a quarantine station from 1830 to 1984, and played a key role in Sydney’s defense during World War II.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To get to Manly, you have several options depending on where you’re coming from:
Ferry from Circular Quay: The most scenic way is by ferry. Ferries depart regularly from Circular Quay and take around 30 minutes to reach Manly Wharf, offering beautiful views of Sydney Harbour along the way. The Ferry is our top pick as it offers stunning views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Northhead, and on occasions you can even see Dolphins.
Bus: You can also take a bus from various locations in Sydney. The 136 and 140 buses are popular routes to Manly from the city, taking about 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Car: If you’re driving, Manly is about a 30-minute drive from the Sydney CBD via the A8 or A1 highways. There are parking options in the area, though it can get busy during peak times.
Bike: For those feeling active, you can also ride a bike to Manly. There’s a dedicated cycling path that runs along the coastline from the city to Manly, offering a scenic and active way to reach the beach.
There isn’t a cost to hike Koh Adang, you might have to pay a National Park fee upon entrance. The main cost is the water taxi from Sunrise Beach to Koh Lipe, which costs $5.00 USD each way.
From our experience, the best time to visit Manly is from November to April, which are the Summer and Autumn months. During these months you are more likely to experience hotter, sunny weather, however it does rain more than it is expected with tropical weather fronts.
I didn’t go on a tour, I paid for a water-taxi journey from Koh Lipe’s Sunrise Beach, across to the south of the island. I then hiked up to Viewpoints 1, 2, and 3.
It is a 15-minute longtail boat ride from Sunset Beach, on Koh Lipe to the Southern pier on Koh Adang.
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