Manly Beach

Manly Beach sits at the end of one of the world's great ferry journeys — a 30-minute voyage from Circular Quay through Sydney Harbour that passes the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and kilometres of bushland-fringed coves before depositing you at the Manly ferry wharf. From there, a 10-minute walk through the Corso — a pedestrian mall lined with cafés, bakeries and surf shops — brings you face to face with the beach itself.

The beach stretches 1.5 km between two headlands, backed by a famous row of Norfolk Island pines that provide the most recognisable silhouette on any Australian beach. The surf at Manly is consistent and well-suited to all levels — beginner lessons operate most mornings, while the northern end provides more powerful break for experienced surfers. Shelly Beach, a calm, protected cove a 10-minute walk south around the headland, is perfect for snorkelling and swimming with fish.

Manly has a distinct village feel that sets it apart from busier eastern suburbs beaches — the food and café scene along The Corso and the beachfront is excellent, and the combination of harbour and ocean gives it a unique geography. The Manly Scenic Walkway traces the harbour shoreline from the ferry wharf to Spit Bridge — a superb 10 km half-day walk through Sydney's best coastal bushland.