The Best Things to Do in Manly, Australia (by a Local)

I’ve lived in Manly for four years and genuinely think it is the best place in Australia. It has everything; beautiful beaches, great bars and restaurants, cool shops, national parks, gorgeous hikes, and tons of activities, all easily reachable from the CBD by the lovely Manly ferry. So if you’re thinking of paying a visit, or already have a trip booked, here are the best things to do in Manly, Sydney. 

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South Steyne

Manly’s main beach otherwise known as South Steyne, is popular with daytrippers, as it’s an easy walk across the Corso from the ferry. It’s a lovely beach for both swimming and surfing. One of my favourite things to do in Manly is the Bold and Beautiful Swim, a 1.4km return swim from South Steyne to Shelly Beach. If you are in Manly at 7am any day of the week you’ll see huge groups of locals (and visitors) setting off from the beach. It’s a really lovely community of people and everyone is welcome to join. 

Go Surfing

Manly is considered the birthplace of Australian surfing, with Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku surfing at Freshwater Beach in 1915 and the first World Surfing Championships held in Manly in 1964. Surfing forms a huge part of Manly’s relaxed culture, so whether you’re an expert surfer or have never set foot on a board, it’s a good place to do it. 

For beginners, a surf lesson is an excellent start. Manly Surf School offer one-off classes and courses and you can also rent boards from them, along with a couple of other shops on the Corso and near the beach. 

Go Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddleboarding

If you prefer something more gentle, then you can rent Stand Up Paddleboards or take a lesson on how to paddle safely around the harbour. And if you’re feeling competitive, there is even SUPBall – a bit like Netball on a SUP!

Another option is renting kayaks or taking a kayak tour across from the wharf at Manly to Store Beach. This beach can only be accessed from the water, so you may find you have it to yourself.

Go Snorkelling or Diving at Cabbage Tree Bay

As mentioned above, there is an incredible array of marine life living in Cabbage Tree Bay. You can join Manly Dive Centre on a guided dive if you have your diving certification, or they offer try dives for beginners as well as PADI Open Water courses. 

If you’re a confident snorkeller/swimmer you can jump straight in and enjoy the underwater world. Alternatively, join a snorkelling tour with an experienced guide who can point out some of the different marine life and take you to the best spots. 

Shop on the Corso and at Manly Markets 

Manly’s Pedestrian Corso is full of great shops, from surf apparel to stores unique to Manly. Standouts include the Budgy Smuggler Flagship store, where you can grab some brightly coloured swimmers, and Humphreys, a family-run gift shop that has been running since the 60s. 

Every weekend, market stalls are set up along the Corso, with everything from fresh organic fruit and vegetables to handmade jewellery on sale. 

Take a Scenic Coastal Walk

Manly has some stunning walks of varying durations. Highlights include:

• The Spit to Manly Walk – A 10km coastal hike through bushland and past hidden beaches. This is also known as the Manly Scenic Walkway. 
• North Head Sanctuary – This walk is around 10km in total, though you can make it shorter by turning off towards Shelly Beach at the Barracks. It includes the historic Q Station, passes beautiful beaches and has great vantage points of both the harbour, Sydney Heads and the Pacific Ocean. 
• Fairfax Walk – An easy 1km circuit with panoramic harbour views. This is an excellent vantage point for spotting whales from May to October
• Manly to Shelly Beach Walk – A 1km (each way) scenic stroll with views of Cabbage Tree Bay

Watch the Sunrise and the Sunset

Being a peninsula means Manly has water on both sides. This means you can watch the sunrise over the ocean and set over the harbour.

Learn About Some of Manly’s Heritage and History at North Head

Pay a visit to the Q Station, once the site of a quarantine station for incoming migrants. There is a Visitor Centre and Museum located at Quarantine Beach which shares some of the history of the place, as well as after-dark and ghost tours. You can even stay the night, as some of the historic buildings have been converted into hotel rooms. 

Nearby, is North Fort, a remnant military complex used during WWII. You can take a tour of the 200-metre-long military tunnel complex, heritage gun emplacements and an underground bunker with a guide. 

Swim in an Ocean Pool

There are incredible ocean pools all along the NSW coastline, including many in and around Manly. My favourites are: 

• Fairy Bower Pool
• Fairlight Pool
• Queenscliff Ocean Pool
• Curl Curl Ocean Pool (Not technically Manly but a great one if you have young kids)

In addition, Manly Andrew Boy Charlton is a lovely council-run aquatic centre a short stroll from the beach, with indoor and outdoor pools. 

Eat and Drink at the Bars, Cafes and Restaurants 

Manly has a lot to offer when it comes to dining. I won’t list every venue, but here are my favourite places to eat in Manly: 

Cafes, Casual and Coffee

• Calibrate
• Ripples Little Manly
• Fishbowl
• Vini’s
• Rollers Bakehouse 
• Effie’s Boatshed
• The Pantry
• Market Lane
• The Pocket (in Freshwater)
• The Bower

Restaurants 

• Manly Pavilion
• Wock Bar 
• Sake
• Garfish
• Hugos 
• Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club (especially for steak night) 
• Belgrave Cartel 
• Waka
• Sunset Sabi

Bars 

• Henry Gs
• The Cumberland 
• Felons
• 4 Pines Brewery 
• Banco
• Donny’s 
• The Hold

Play Lawn Bowls 

For something quintessentially Australian, head to Manly Lawn Bowls Club. A great activity to play with a group of friends, kick off your shoes and spend an afternoon playing barefoot bowls. 

Spot Whales

During the winter months (May to October), whales migrate along the NSW coastline from Antarctica and back. You can often spot them from the beach/North Head or you can take a whale watching cruise to get a closer look. The best land-based vantage points are on the Fairfax Track and the Shelly Beach to Barracks Precinct Walk. For cruises, Ocean Extreme offer a small boat experience from Manly (age 6+) or there are larger boats that also take kids from Circular Quay.

Go Sailing

With its harbour setting, Manly is a great spot to learn to sail or take a boat trip. You can head out on the water for a hands-on yacht experience, which takes in all the main Sydney sites. Or, if you have more time, visit Manly Sailing Club, who offer a variety of sailing courses. 

Where to Stay in Manly

Budget – Stoke Beach House has shared dorms and private rooms near the beach. There is an in-house bar, communal kitchen and cinema room, in addition to complimentary yoga classes for guests and free cruiser bike, surfboard, snorkel and skateboard rental. 

Mid-Range – Paradise Motel and Apartments have ocean views and are within a few minutes walk of the bars and restaurants of Manly. This is a great option for families and groups, with two and three bed apartments available. 

Luxury – Peppers Manly Beach is a 4-star beachfront hotel in Sydney featuring studio and one bed apartments. There is an outdoor pool, garden, barbecue facilities, and a hot tub.

Luxury – Manly Pacific Sydney MGallery Collection is a beachfront hotel overlooking Manly Beach. It features a restaurant — Bistro Manly, plus Cibaria next door — a fitness centre and bar. It’s the only 5-star hotel in Manly.