20 min walk Manly Beach (South Steyne)
The iconic 1.5 km ocean beach lined with Norfolk pines — patrolled swimming between the flags, beginner-friendly surf schools and a promenade of cafes and bars.
Travel Guide
Things to Do in Manly
On the harbour's northern shore, Manly pairs ocean surf with sheltered harbour coves, a leafy coastal walk and an easy-going village feel — all a scenic ferry ride from the city. Here's what to see and do in the area.
Beaches & Swimming
20 min walk 
25 min walk Shelly Beach
A west-facing, sheltered cove in the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve — calm, clear water that's ideal for snorkelling with sea turtles, blue gropers and rays.
10 min walk Little Manly Beach
A tucked-away harbour cove with netted, protected swimming, a grassy foreshore, kiosk and picnic tables — the locals' pick for families with young kids.
20 min walk Fairy Bower Ocean Pool
A small heritage tidal pool on the Cabbage Tree Bay path, with the bronze 'Oceanides' sea-nymph sculptures — a scenic spot for a morning dip.
Walks & Nature
7 min drive North Head Sanctuary
A dramatic headland in Sydney Harbour National Park — clifftop lookouts for winter whale-watching, WWII fortifications, bushland trails and knockout city skyline views.
trailhead ~9 min drive Manly to Spit Coastal Walk
One of Sydney's great walks — a 10 km harbourside trail through bush, past secluded beaches, Aboriginal rock engravings and lookouts, ending at the Spit Bridge.
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13 min walk Little Manly Point Reserve
A quiet grassy point jutting into the harbour with sweeping water views and shaded lawns — a favourite for picnics and sunset.
Food, Drink & Markets
21 min walk The Corso
Manly's palm-lined pedestrian spine linking the wharf to the ocean beach — cafes, gelato, pubs, surf shops and buskers, buzzing day and night.
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21 min walk Manly Markets
Weekend arts-and-crafts markets near the beach plus a Saturday farmers' market with local produce, coffee, fresh bread and artisan food.
Family & On the Water
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22 min walk Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary
An aquarium right by Manly Wharf with sharks, rays, penguins and tropical fish, plus behind-the-scenes and dive experiences — great for kids or a wet-weather day.
21 min walk Kayak & Paddle at Manly
Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the harbour, or join a guided paddle across to secluded Store Beach — calm water and sea-life spotting.
Good To Know
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get to Manly?
- Take the ferry from Circular Quay — the regular Sydney Ferry runs about 30 minutes and the Manly Fast Ferry about 20 minutes, both with sweeping harbour views.
- Which beaches are best for families?
- Little Manly and Shelly Beach are sheltered and calm; Manly Beach is patrolled, so swim between the red-and-yellow flags.
- Is the coastal walk worth doing?
- Absolutely — the Manly to Spit walk is one of Sydney's best. For something shorter, the loop around Cabbage Tree Bay to Shelly Beach and North Head is stunning.
- Is Manly good for a day trip?
- Yes — the ferry ride, beaches, coastal walk and The Corso easily fill a relaxed full day from the city.
Image credits
- manly beach: Maksym Kozlenko — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- shelly beach: Hardlinerr — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- little manly beach: Collywolly — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- fairy bower: Birdle — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- north head: John Ward — CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- manly spit walk: Photo by Sardaka at en.wikipedia — CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- the corso: AnonymousUnknown author — Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
- manly kayak: eyeintim — CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Where to stay
Make the most of your visit with a fully furnished Avasa Urban serviced apartment — hotel-grade comfort and a home base for exploring.