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ManlyThe Locals' Guide

MANLY.
Ferry in. Switch off.

Hop on a ferry past the Opera House and the city falls away. What's left is sand, a long ocean walk, and a town that takes its long lunches very seriously.

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Painterly view of swimmers in yellow caps crossing Cabbage Tree Bay from South Steyne to Shelly Beach, with Fairy Bower pool set into the sandstone cliffs.

Latest from the journal

Swimming in Manly: The Best Spots for Families, Dogs, Snorkellers, Lap-Swimmers and the Famous Shelly Swim

From the toddler-safe harbour pools of Fairlight to the 1.5km ocean crossing from South Steyne to Shelly Beach, Manly is quietly one of the great swimming towns of the world. Here's where to swim, at every skill level, and how to do the famous swim through Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.

2 July 202611 min read
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Surf report

Manly Beach

Checking the swell…

Forecast: Open-Meteo · Check the water before you paddle out.

The Index

Explore Manly

Pick your angle. Each easily fills a day, and most fill two if you let them.

The Ferry — Getting Here№ 01

Getting Here

The Ferry

Past the Opera House, under the Bridge. Thirty minutes that feel like a holiday before you've arrived.

Six Beaches — Surf & Sand№ 02

Surf & Sand

Six Beaches

Surf the ocean side, snorkel Shelly, find the harbour coves the locals keep quiet.

Coast Track — Walks & Nature№ 03

Walks & Nature

Coast Track

Sandstone headlands, Sydney sun, and the odd water dragon sunning itself on the path.

Eat by the Sea — Food & Wine№ 04

Food & Wine

Eat by the Sea

Oysters with a view, café culture done properly, and restaurants worth the ferry on their own.

Year-Round — Festivals№ 05

Festivals

Year-Round

Jazz on the Corso, surf comps in winter, food and wine when the sun stretches its legs.

Sundown — After Dark№ 06

After Dark

Sundown

Rooftop drinks, wine bars, live music. Easy, unhurried, never too dressy.

Stay Near the Beach — Where to Stay№ 07

Where to Stay

Stay Near the Beach

Beachfront hotels, boutique pubs, harbour-side apartments. A bed for every budget.

Understand Our History — History№ 08

History

Understand Our History

Gayamaygal Country, a colonial cove, and the spot where Australian surfing first got wet.

Know before you go

The quick answers

The questions most travellers ask. Tap any card to go deeper.

Year-round

What the weather actually does

Long-term monthly averages for air, sea and sun. Pick your window with eyes open.

Average daily high, sea temperature & visitor numbers, Manly

Source: Bureau of Meteorology · Manly Hydraulics Laboratory · Destination NSW visitor data

Daylight hours & UV index, Manly

Source: Geoscience Australia · ARPANSA UV index monthly means

Humpback whale sighting probability off Manly (% of trips)

Source: ORRCA sightings log · NSW NPWS Wild About Whales · operator records 2018–2024

Arriving in Sydney

From the airport to Manly

Two sensible ways to swap the terminal for the ocean. All prices in Australian dollars and approximate.

  1. № 01 · Easiest

    Train + ferry

    ~60 min≈ A$22

    T8 Airport Link runs direct from the airport to Circular Quay — no changes, about 25 minutes — then the F1 ferry to Manly (30 min). Prettier, no traffic, and the harbour does the welcoming.

  2. № 02 · Fastest

    Taxi or Uber

    35–60 min≈ A$70–95

    Direct door to door. Fastest off-peak; double the time in heavy Harbour Bridge traffic. Worth it with luggage or late arrivals.

FERRY GUIDEOr see Manly on the map

A perfect day

From dawn till late

Six moments to pin together if you've got one good day in town.

  1. Hop the 9:00 ferrySit starboard, watch the harbour roll past.
  2. Walk Shelly BeachSnorkel Cabbage Tree Bay before brunch.
  3. Long lunchOysters, a glass of something cold, no rush.
  4. Quarantine StationSandstone, ghosts, and a slow stroll back.
  5. Sunset wineRooftop view of the Heads turning gold.
  6. Live musicFind the small room. Stay for an extra song.
Read the first-timer's guide