Exploring Manly
Where do we start with Australia’s famous harbour city? Sydney is New South Wales’s famed capital, and is well known for its beautiful sun-drenched beaches and much more. If you are visiting the city during summer, be sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing! Because of its wide variety of unique tourist attractions, Sydney receives more than ten million local and international visitors on an annual basis. With its diverse lifestyle options, vibrant economy, rich European history, and favourable weather, you will constantly be amazed at what Sydney can offer.
What’s more, coffee = religion here and Australians take pride in their coffee. Whether you want a cup of Americano or Ristretto, you can be sure that you will be treated to a special coffee experience you will not forget.
When planning your Manly day trips, you can charter a bus to ensure travel convenience for your companions and yourself. It’s going to be cheaper, safer as well as more comfortable so get ready to see Manly in the best way possible!
About Manly
If you are planning to visit northern Sydney soon, you can explore one of its beautiful beachside suburbs named Manly. The neighbourhood is just a 20 minute ferry ride from Sydney harbour, and has a population of more than 15,000. Manly is well known for its beaches and they are highly popular tourist destinations. You can expect to see and experience long stretches of sand on the ocean side. It runs from Queenscliff to South Steyne (through North Steyne). The most common ancestries of Manly are Australian, English, German, Scottish, and Irish, and there is a significant Scandinavian community as well.
Manly was discovered in the late 1780s, and got its name from Governor Arthur Phillip. As he entered the harbour, he noticed that the local Indigenous people were strong and manly. As Manly was designed after England’s city of Brighton, you will notice that the streets mimic the lanes of Brighton. There are fine restaurants located in the Manly Wharf that has had many celebrities dining there, including Ellen Degeneres, Paris Hilton, Jack Johnson, and more.
As you can see, there is much to explore in Manly, and what the neighbourhood has in store for you can’t be found anywhere else in Sydney city. Here’s a look at some of the top travel attractions in Manly:
Manly Sea Life Sanctuary
Ever wanted to learn more about the country’s breed, rescue and protect program? If you are interested, consider visiting the Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary aquarium to experience conservation in action! The sanctuary has bred some incredible local species, and would like to share with visitors their passion about rescuing and nursing animals back to health, and then releasing them back into the wild.
There are so many fun activities here, and they include Sanctuary Snack Time Feed & Talk, Playful Little Penguin Pals Feed, and more. If you are feeling a little adventurous, consider diving with sharks! This is one of only a few exhilarating experiences worldwide where you are guaranteed an underwater encounter with sharks. What’s more, the sanctuary’s colony of Grey Nurse sharks measure up to three meters, and you get to enter their domain without cages!
Shelly Beach
Forming part of Cabbage Tree Bay, Shelly Beach is another great Manly attraction you should include in your travel itinerary. Shelly Beach is a protected marine reserve that has a maximum depth of approximately 12 metres. It lies adjacent to Fairy Bower and North Head, and is very popular with snorkelers and scuba divers alike. The beach offers a large variety of marine life, which can be conveniently viewed in relatively shallow water. You are recommended to take a walk around the bush track as it offers spectacular views of the northern beaches and North Head. What’s more, Shelly Beach is a perfect location for a family picnic!
Manly Open Air Markets
Visit Manly Market Place during your trip, and lose yourself in intrigue and bask in the warm sunshine. Manly Market is a unique open air market that showcases some of the best and emerging gifts, fashion and design. Situated right in the heart of Manly, the famed laneway of Sydney Road transforms into a hive of activity that is enjoyed by locals and international visitors alike. Happening every Saturday and Sunday, you are welcomed to visit as a family to experience the friendly atmosphere that is suitable for both the young and old.
Bike Tours
Exercising, exploring, and having fun are all included in the Manly Bike Tour package. If you are visiting Manly, you are recommended to get on a bike and explore this unique neighbourhood. Once you have rented a bike, you can immediately proceed to explore Sydney’s most beautiful beaches as well as discover nature at its finest. What’s more, the tour offers picturesque views and an introduction to the neighbourhood’s history. Manly Bike Tours have won the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for five years in a row, so you can trust that this special bike tour is a fun-filled activity.
Hugos Manly
Hungry from all the fun and action? By now, you are probably getting hungry from all the walking, cycling and exploring. If you are in for something a little more upmarket, you have to stop at Hugos for the best gourmet pizzas in Manly. Hugos Manly is situated on the iconic Manly Wharf. While you are seated on one of Sydney’s most spectacular waterfront locations, you can enjoy an unforgettable dining experience, in courtesy of Executive Chef Colm Kennedy and the award-winning bar team. After checking off all the action-packed activities from your to-do list, Hugos is a great spot to relax and decide what to do next.