NSW
BEST THINGS TO DO IN
MANLY
A local’s guide
ANGELA SAURINE
Out & About with Kids editor Angela Saurine lived in Manly for more than 20 years and loves to revisit the beachfront town with her son Oliver as often as she can. These are some of their favourite spots.
Opening image: Crowds enjoying a Summer's day at Manly Beach © Destination NSW
Shelly Beach Walk
No matter how many times I do the coastal walk from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach, I never get tired of it. On sunny days, when the clear turquoise water laps against the sandstone rocks as you pass locals dining alfresco at The Bower Cafe, it feels a bit like being in the Mediterranean. It takes around 15 minutes to do the walk in one direction, but we usually take it much slower than that, stopping to see the ever-present water dragons, the Oceanides sculpture at the edge of Fairy Bower pool, and the stainless-steel sculptures of various sea creatures that can be found in the surrounding Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, including sea dragons, eastern blue gropers and gloomy octopus, embedded in the rock. Oliver always loves climbing through the tunnel in the sandstone rock along the route that was carved by a sculptor as a Bicentenary project in 1988. Shelly Beach is also a great spot for snorkelling, offering the chance to see wobbegong sharks, giant cuttlefish and elegant wrasse, and there’s a kiosk at The Boathouse restaurant where you can grab a coffee or a bite to eat.
Images: Oliver loves crawling through the tunnel of this sculpture on the Shelly Beach Walk in Manly, Couple enjoying a walk along Marine Parade, An aerial view of Shelly Beach at Manly © Destination NSW
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Manly Cove
Nicknamed ‘The Office’ by locals, because it’s such a popular place to hang out, the calm beach along East Esplanade is ideal for kids to play, swim and splash around on floaties as you watch ferries zipping back and forth across the harbour and boats bobbing nearby. It’s not unusual to see a row of prams lined up by the stairs, or children racing dump trucks or riding balance bikes along the walkway. There’s a grassy area where you can roll out picnic rugs, a modern amenities block and a set of swings to add to the fun. It’s especially special at dusk, when the sun sinks behind the bushy headland in the distance and the sky turns a spectacular pink and orange. After that, the families usually disappear, quickly replaced by large groups of Brazillian backpackers ready to take to their slacklines.
Image: Manly Cove in Sydney © Tourism Australia
Secret harbour beaches
There are plenty more beautiful beaches to be discovered in Manly, but some require a bit more effort go get to. Hire a kayak from Manly Kayak Centre and paddle past the multi-million-dollar harbourfront homes and around Smedley’s Point before making a beeline for Quarantine Beach, which was the first port of call for passengers disembarking ships to be assessed for contagious diseases such as the Bubonic plague, smallpox and Spanish influenza for much of the 1800s. Pop into the museum at the Q Station retreat’s visitor centre at the wharf before continuing on to explore the gorgeous boat-access only Store Beach (my favourite place for a dip), Collins Beach and Little Manly Cove.
Images: Collins Beach in Manly © Destination NSW, A mural on a door at Q Station in Manly, Kayaks for hire beside Manly Wharf © Destination NSW
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Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club
One of the few restaurants in Sydney that has a deck over the harbour, the nearby Skiff Club is a top spot for lunch or an early dinner families. I remember going there with my Mum and Dad when I was a kid, and I know it’s somewhere I will return time and again throughout my lifetime. The stylishly refurbished venue is the perfect place to splash out on a seafood platter, with classics like chicken parmigiana, pizzas and burgers also on offer. There’s also a reasonably priced kids’ menu featuring fish and chips, spaghetti Bolognese, crumbed chicken tenders and a cheeseburger.
Image: Manly 16ft Skiff Club
Tokyo Joe
If there’s one cuisine guaranteed to satisfy all ages, it’s Japanese, so Tokyo Joe is a great eatery to go for a family dinner while you’re in town. Located opposite Manly Beach adjoining the Manly Pacific hotel, kids eat free with any adult meal purchased, so it’s also friendly on the budget. The menu consists of all the usual favourites from the Land of the Rising Sun, including sushi, sashimi and gyoza, designed to be shared. Decorated with neon lights, the large, funky venue also has a few arcade games that are sure to be a hit with older kids.
Images: Tokyo Joe in Manly, Angela and Oliver at Tokyo Joe's
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Spit Bridge to Manly Walk
Weaving around the harbour, past secluded beaches and through native bushland, this 10-kilometre walk is an excellent way to soak up Sydney’s magnificence. There are a few hills involved, so it’s more suitable for families with older kids, but they are well worth tackling for the views at the top. There are some delightful places to stop for a picnic and a swim along the way, including Delwood Beach, Fairlight Beach, Forty Baskets Beach, Castle Rock Beach and Clontarf Reserve. But my preferred place to take a break is Crater Cove at Dobroyd Head, where you’ll find a cluster of ramshackle old fishermen’s huts built along the clifftop. It can be reached by detouring down an unmarked track through the bushes that leads off the main path. The last section when starting from Manly takes you through a strikingly more tropical environment – all ferns, caves and trickling waterfalls. Upon arriving at Spit Bridge, cross over the road and catch a bus back.
Image: A waterfall on the Manly to Spit Walk © Tourism Australia
WHERE TO STAY IN MANLY
Across the road from the beach at South Steyne, a few blocks away from the Corso shopping strip that connects the harbour ferry wharf to the ocean, the location of Peppers Manly Beach is about as good as it gets. Fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the shore, watch the pine trees blowing in the breeze and pop over the road to build sandcastles whenever you feel the need. Previously known as the North Tower of The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach, the hotel is now managed by Accor Vacation Club. It has 42 studios, apartments and suites to choose from, two pools and secure undercover parking.
Images: The view from a room, The Manly Beach view, The pool at Peppers Manly Beach
