A Guide to the Best Things to Do in Manly

Beyond walking down the Corso from the ferry wharf to the beach, what other things to do in Manly should be on your radar? Well, lots in fact, so much that as a Sydneysider and I still find things to do in Manly every time I am visit. Here’s my insider’s guide to what to see, eat, and do in Manly.

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The Insider’s guide to Manly – What to do, see and eat

Most visitors have Manly on their list of things to do in Sydney. However, once they get off the ferry, they do not know where to go. Some people don’t even realise that the beach at the wharf is not Manly Beach but the harbour beach known as Little Manly Cove to the east and West Esplanade Beach to the west.

Both beaches are great for kids, but they are not the famous Manly Beach.

Manly and Bondi go head to head for attention, but they are very different. Locals often prefer Manly for its relaxed vibe and better traffic. The Norfolk Island palm trees lining Manly Beach are a lot prettier than Bondi’s car park. I love Bondi too, but I could live without the cars!

When Captain Philip visited in 1788, shortly after arriving in Australia, he encountered some of the local aboriginal people on landing here.

The Cannalgal and Kayimai people were the custodians of Manly and the northern beaches.

This meeting prompted him to name the area after them. He said “Their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place.”

How to Get to Manly

Manly can be reached by road or by sea, but the ferry is the best option. I can’t think of a single reason to drive to Manly from the city.

Did you know it’s quicker to get from the city to Manly than it is to Bondi?

Ferry: 25-30 minutes from Circular Quay
Bus: the journey often requires a change and takes 50 minutes from Wynyard
Car/Uber: 30-minute trip in good traffic but can take a lot longer

Everything you need to know about the Manly Ferry

There are several ferry services from the city to Manly. Both public and private ferries run this route and accept Opal or contactless payments.

I always recommend the public ferry for a more scenic and relaxed journey. Sitting on the upper deck, you get fantastic views of Sydney Harbour.

Private ferries to Manly

Two private ferries operate between the city and Manly. Both make the trip between Circular Quay and Manly wharf in 20 minutes.

Manly Fast Ferries runs services between Manly and Circular Quay.

They also sell a 1 or 2 day hop on hop off cruise that includes other key tourist spots:

• Darling Harbour to Manly via Circular Quay and Taronga Zoo

Captain Cook Ferries offers two direct services to Manly:

• Manly to Barangaroo
• Manly to Watsons Bay – This one is my favourite time saver if you are trying to see a lot in one day!

You can use your Opal card to pay on either the Fast Ferry or Captain Cook, but these fares will not count towards your daily and weekly caps.

There is also the Captain Cook hop on hop off ferry and the Sydney Harbour Hopper. They cost a little more but give you 1 or 2 days of sightseeing and make some stops that are not possible on the public ferry.

Public Manly Ferry

Public ferries service the F1 route from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf. The original Manly ferries, the ‘Queenscliff’, ‘Narrabeen’, ‘Collaroy’ or ‘Freshwater’ ferries, are named after beaches north of Manly.

There are newer Emerald Class ferries that travel this route but try to catch the one of the original services if you can. It’s a much more pleasant experience, particularly in rough weather.

The public Manly Ferry service is direct from Circular Quay to Manly, taking 30 minutes. The first ferry departs at 5.30am, and the last one leaves at 11pm.

Can you get a ferry from Darling Harbour to Manly?
At the moment there is no direct service between these two stops. You will need to change at Circular Quay unless you buy a HOHO ticket.

What is the difference between the private Manly ferry and the public Manly Ferry?
The private ferry services are a little faster, but they cost a couple of dollars more. The Manly Fast Ferry now counts towards your daily or weekly Opal caps.

Click here to discover more great Ferry rides from Circular Quay

What is Manly Beach famous for?

Manly has several claims to fame: the birthplace of surfing in Australia, the first place to legalise all-day bathing in 1903, and home to one of the world’s first Surf Life Saving Clubs. I’ve always loved how you can sense the history of surfing right on the beach here.

The first World Surfing Championships were held at Manly Beach back in 1964.

The Main attractions in Manly

Beyond the beautiful waterfront, Manly has plenty to explore. I always make time for a visit to the Q Station, an intriguing spot with so much history. From the 1830s up to the mid-1980s, ships were quarantined here if they arrived in Sydney Harbour carrying any illness.

Other spots you should consider include:

• North Head Sanctuary offers walks, views, a war memorial, and a graveyard.
• Four Pines Brewery is the first smaller brewery in the area. You can also take a local northern beaches brewery tour.
• Manly Distillery – Try the local gin made with ocean botanicals
• Manly Art Gallery has a small collection with everything from ceramics to photography.
• Manly Environment Centre to learn more about sustainability.
• The sculpture of the Sea Nymphs at Fairy Bower Pool

The beaches of Manly

Manly has both ocean and harbour beaches. The main sections of the ocean beach are Queenscliff, North Steyne, and South Steyne.

A short walk around the southern headland brings you to the sheltered Shelly Beach. I recommend Shelly Beach for a quieter experience. It’s great for snorkeling and has a lovely view at sunset.

Shelly Beach is one of only two west-facing beaches on the east coast

When you arrive at the wharf, you will see the harbour beaches. A short walk to the west past the art gallery will take you to Fairlight and on to the secluded harbour beaches along the Manly to Spit walk.

Head to the end of East Manly Cove Beach to make your way to little Manly Beach and Collins Beach. These are both great options for anyone wanting a bit of seclusion midweek, although they get popular on summer weekends.

Want more beach fun? Jump on the 199 bus for the 75 minute trip to Palm Beach, along the way explore some great Northern Beaches gems.

Best Things to Do in Manly

There is plenty to do here, so we have broken this down into four areas:

• Free activities
• Walks in Manly and nearby
• Tours and activities
• Shopping and bar hopping

Free things to do in Manly

You don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy Manly. There are plenty of walking and biking trails, parks, gardens, and great people-watching spots. On weekends, I love having a BBQ at Shelly Beach and watching the world go by.

• Take a walk to Freshwater Beach and look for the wormhole.
• Go snorkelling at Cabbage Tree Bay.
• Have a swim at Fairy Bower Pool.

• Find some friends and hit the free volleyball courts.
• Follow the Manly Heritage Plaques. They are a great way to learn the history of Manly.
• Check out an exhibition at the Local Manly Gallery.

Check out the path of Olympians that runs from the wharf to the museum. It celebrates residents who have represented Australia in Olympics.

The best walks in Manly

Whether you’re up for a short stroll or a challenging hike, Manly has great walking options. The first two listed are wheelchair and pram friendly, both offering fantastic views. Personally, I always enjoy the Shelly Beach walk.

It’s a short, flat 15-minute walk with beautiful sculptures along the way. The are eleven sculptures that make a fun scavenger hunt for kids. This walk is wheelchair friendly.

The Fairfax Walk, also known as the North Head Sanctuary Loop, is an easy 800m circuit walk that is also wheelchair friendly. It’s a fabulous spot for some whale watching between July and October. Start at the North Scenic Drive carpark.

The three most popular longer coastal walks are:

• The Manly to Spit Bridge Walk follows the harbour from Manly Cove Beach to the Spit Bridge.
• North Head Sanctuary Walk is an 8km walk that starts at Shelly Beach and makes its way up to North Head. The views are hard to beat, but it’s also a brilliant choice for those with an interest in military history.
• The whole route of the Manly Coastal Walk is 50km, but you can stop anywhere you like with buses along the route heading back to either Manly or the city.

When you arrive, check out more local walks at the Visitor’s Centre located right outside Manly Wharf for some local advice and free maps.

Get active in Manly

• Rent a bike and explore over 20 km of bike tracks. You can join an electric bike tour or rent a bike for a few hours.
• Rent a kayak and paddle to Store Beach.
• Or do a 4 hour rental and explore further afield.
• Go stand up paddle boarding at Shelly Beach.
• Go snorkelling with a guide.
• Rent a surfboard.
• Take a surfing lesson.
• Give your drinking arm a workout on the Northern Exposure Brewery Tour.
• Walk to Forty Baskets Beach.

Check out one of the 15 rock pools along the northern beaches.

Find even more things to do in Sydney on our list of 75 things to do for free in Sydney

Shopping in Manly

The Corso offers a variety of shops, from surfwear and fishing gear to high-end fashion and bestsellers.
There is a supermarket and a bottle shop that are handy for putting together an impromptu picnic. All up, there are 200 shops along the Corso and surrounding streets, so if you fancy some shopping or window shopping on your day out to Manly, you won’t be disappointed.

The Corso in Manly was named after Rome’s Via Del Corso

On weekends, they hold the markets in Market Place, which runs parallel to the Corso. I always see unique souvenirs here.

Where to eat in Manly

With over 120 cafes and restaurants, choosing where to eat can be overwhelming. I often struggle paralysis too, so here are my top ten favorite spots in Manly.

Our favourite spots for breakfast in Manly

• The Bower cafe overlooking Fairy Bower pool. It’s a great spot for people-watching, excellent coffee and if you are there for breakfast, the coconut Bircher is a favourite.
• Ruby Lane is our favourite breakfast spot for healthy options. It is off the main area but worth the walk. A good option when on the way back from the walk to Queenscliff.
• Rollers Bakehouse – Great place for gathering a breakfast picnic
• Bella Vista Cafe is the perfect spot for breakfast after a hike around North Head.

Our top choices for lunch in Manly

• The Pantry – The views don’t get much better. I prefer their lunch menu and don’t skip dessert, I suggest you share a portion of Banoffee Pie.
• The Boathouse offers fish n chips, burgers, and several salad options plus pavlova for dessert.
• Manly Wine offers oysters and sparkling wine, fish n chips, and a good plant-based range of options. It’s hard to be disappointed here.
• Fika Kitchen will serve an all-day Swedish style breakfast menu with a strong seafood focus and a delicious watermelon Chia pudding.
• Little Shop of Waffles is Sydney’s first bubble waffle cafe!

Our top picks for dinner in Manly

• Sunset Sabi is an izakaya style bar and dining. It’s a fun spot, but not great for a quiet chat.
• Queen Chow is an old school Cantonese food restaurant right on the wharf.
• Manly Wharf Hotel offers great water views and excellent specials, plus a quick run to the ferry home.

Where to drink in Manly

• North Steyne offers an old-school pub on the ground floor and a funky rooftop area above.
• If you like to drink surrounded by books and with an ocean view, Hemingway’s is your place.
• We love having a drink at 4 Pines Brewing Company; their tasting paddles are perfect for trying out different brews.
• Manly Wine is the perfect spot to rest your feet for a while, with ocean views and an impressive list of sparkling wines and champagnes.

Looking for the best Fish n chips in Manly? Head to Fishmongers, grab some takeaway and eat on the beach.

Where to sleep in Manly

Manly offers a range of accommodations, from hotels and vacation rentals to hostels.

The Sebel is a splendid choice, located only a 5-minute walk from the ferry wharf and directly opposite Manly Beach. You are within walking distance to shops and cafes and only a few minutes from some of our favourites, Manly Wine, The Bower and The Boathouse. Family rooms are available.

Peppers Manly Beach Hotel

Peppers is directly opposite the southern end of Manly Beach. You are surrounded by dining options and just a short walk around to family friendly Shelly Beach.

I stayed at Peppers Manly Beach Hotel and loved its proximity to the beach and dining spots.

Location: 8-13 South Steyne, Manly
Room types: studio and one-bedroom apartments can accommodate four people.
Facilities: 2 swimming pools and a spa pool, a handy guest laundry

Manly Pacific Sydney MGallery Collection

The Manly Pacific Sydney MGallery Collection has recently undergone a $30m transformation, and boy is it looking good. It sits opposite the ocean beach and offers 213 rooms, a mix of Coastal Suites, Sun Lounger one-bedroom apartments, hotel rooms and for special occasions the Infinity Residence, a 177 sqm apartment which may well be the best beach front hotel residence in Sydney.

The property has three restaurants onsite; 55 North, Bistro Manly and Tokyo Joe. There is also a rooftop bar and pool. There is a strong focus on health and wellness with surfing lessons, kayaking, boot camps, beach yoga, facials, massages and cryotherapy all available to guests.

Location: 55 North Steyne Road, Manly,
Room types: Studio and one and two-bedroom apartments 1-4 guests.
Facilities: Rooftop swimming pool

Quest Manly at the Wharf

Unlike the two above, Quest Manly faces the harbour beaches and the wharf. The apartments here are bright and sunny with great harbour views.

If you are planning on self-catering this is a great choice is the accommodation as there is a supermarket across the road.

Location: 54a West Esplanade, Manly
Room types: studio and one and two-bedroom apartments with full-size kitchen and laundry
Facilities: Small gym, guest laundry, spacious living area.
Tips: Request an upper floor for less traffic noise.

Want to decide yourself if Manly to Bondi is Sydney’s best beach? Check out our Bondi Guide before your visit.

We also recommend this guide for visiting beaches in Sydney by public transport if you want to explore further.

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
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