The Background
Live the photo: sunrise on Manly Beach, Australia.
Manly Beach is part of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Surrounded by the sea on 3 sides, Manly remains one of Australia’s more famous beaches. Manly has always captivated me. The Corso is filled with cafes and shops, the beach is always full of people walking along the promenade, playing beach volleyball, surfing or catching some sun. The restaurants range from simple backpacker meals to divine dishes created for the most particular of foodies. There really is something for everyone in Manly.
Manly is composed of 3 beaches: Queenscliff, North Steyne and South Steyne Beaches. Besides enjoying the ocean, there is plenty to do here. I would recommend Ash’s Table on North Steyne Beach for a delicious breakfast and hearty dose of people watching. If you are looking for a simple meal, why not stop at one of local fish and chip shops for a classic meal on the beach, or enjoy a beer in one of the many pubs in town. There are plenty of shops to entertain the shopper in anyone, from touristy trinkets, surf shops to beautiful clothes, shoes and other goods. Take a wander along the beach front promenade or listen to live music in the evenings. There is something wonderful about a steamy night of dancing followed by a refreshing walk along the ocean, cooling your heels in the surf and sand, before calling it a night and heading home.
If surfing and water sports is more your thing, why not take a surf lesson at the beach. There is a strong Surf Life Saving culture in Australia. Watch for surf life saving carnivals and competitions – they can be a great way to spend the morning!
Getting There
Manly Beach is not far from Sydney, although from my experience, there are 2 easy ways to get there. If you are staying in downtown Sydney, take a ferry from Circular Quay. This route takes you from the downtown ferry terminal, giving spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to the Manly Wharf. I highly recommend taking the ferry at night if time permits, only because the views of downtown Sydney as you arrive at Circular Quay are so good. The city is all lit up and looks like a fairy tale. The other option is to drive, in which case I still recommend the night ferry to the city!
Links and Information
Manly Australia tourism information
For more of my journeys and adventures in Australia:
Cycling Australia’s Great Ocean Road
Bucket List #1 – includes trips I hope to do in Australia and around the world
Live the photo: Camel Riding on Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie, Australia
Lessons from Sofala – cycling in Gold and Wine Country
Thank you for this post! It’s autumn now (for me), so no more beach weather until next year. That makes me appreciate your post and photos even more!
Posted by megtraveling | October 19, 2011, 11:03 am