Your LOCALS-ONLY Guide to Manly, Sydney

Описание: Manly is known for surfing and its beaches. 🏄‍♀️ 🇦🇺 But it's so much more! Did you know there are penguins? I'll give you a comprehensive tour and show you key locations you can't miss. Including a full tour of the North Head hike. And I hope you like dessert.

Getting there
Manly is easily accessible from the CBD by ferry. And I highly recommend the ferry from Circular Quay. You'll get a great view of the Opera House, too.

Parking is, in general, a nightmare. And due to its penninsula-like location, it's not accessible by train. Buses are your alternate public transport option.

The most visited spots in Manly
📍 The Corso
Running from the ferry terminal to the main Manly beach, the Corso is a popular pedestrian mall. Check out the markets, too.

📍 Manly Beach
Manly Beach is an expansive, patrolled beach with public facilities. An easy walk from the ferry terminal, it's a popular destination. Swim between the flags.

📍 The Spit to Manly walk
Although not technically in Manly, the Spit to Manly walk is a popular one for locals. Stunning scenery.

Manly must-sees
📍 The Manly wormhole
The Manly wormhole is a popular naturally formed tunnel that delivers stunning ocean views. To find it, head to the north end of the beach, walk past the ocean pool and head towards the giant graffiti heart. It’s only a short (rocky) scramble, but surprisingly not crowded. Check the tide reports for safety.

📍 Shelly Beach + Cabbage Tree Bay aquatic reserve
This protected underwater nature reserve is home to weedy seadragons (amazing seahorses!), spectacular nudibranchs and so much more. Bring your snorkel and swim in the protected (read: calm) waters. Enjoy the public change facilities and then grab a bite at one of the cafes on the water.

📍 Fairy Bower ocean pool
Nearly every major beach has an ocean pool, a salt water pool that's ocean-front and fed by the water, yet mostly protected from waves. But Fairy Bower is one of the most beautiful and conveniently situated along the walk from Manly to Shelly Beach.

Top Manly food destinations
📍 Butterboy
Giant cookies in countless flavors that are served warm. Open until 8pm and can't be missed.

📍 Anita gelato
Creative, yummy flavors make Anita gelato a well-known destination.

📍 Bella Vista Manly
In North Head, this cafe has stunning views and is a well-deserved treat after a big hike.

North Head
This National Park is a destination in its own right. The trails are clearly marked, and a bus service even runs to the top if you’re looking to cut things short. Here are some key spots.

📍 Third Quarantine Cemetery
Over a hundred years ago, incoming ships were quarantined at North Head (the quarantine station has now been turned into a boutique hotel). Many people didn't make it, and they've been buried in the cemetery with possibly the best view in the world.

📍 WWII gun emplacements
Even though the world war never quite made it to Australia (although there is one tale in the Sydney harbour), North Head was prepared. You can still see the concrete emplacements, today.

📍 Collins Beach
A beautiful beach with a waterfall, Collins Beach is where Governor Phillip was stabbed in the shoulder in an attack. Continue on through to finish the hike towards Manly and you'll be gifted with a stunning view.

📍 Fairfax walk + lookouts
You'll be treated to beautiful views throughout the whole park. You can easily see clear across to South Head (look for a white lighthouse!) and the CBD.

This is part of my Hidden Gems Sydney series, where I explore the city in a fresh (read: slightly oddball) way. So whether you're a visitor or a local, you'll learn something new!

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Timestamps:
0:00 Welcome to Manly!
0:37 Getting there (take the ferry)
2:02 The Corso
2:55 The Manly markets
3:09 Manly Beach
3:48 What do the red and yellow flags mean?
4:19 The Spit to Manly walk
5:38 What is 'the spit'?
7:12 North Head
10:23 The Manly Wormhole
10:48 How to get to the wormhole (detailed instructions)
12:03 Shelly Beach + Cabbage Tree Bay aquatic reserve
14:55 Fairy Bower ocean pool
16:32 Third Quarantine Cemetery
17:56 Collins Beach (waterfall and serious history)
18:48 Was Governor Phillip stabbed at Collins Beach?
20:14 Butterboy
21:35 Anita Gelato
22:15 Bella Vista Manly
22:47 Can you do this in one day?

❓ Have a question? Pop it in the comments, below.
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To take a tour with Fit City Tours in Sydney, visit: https://www.fitcity.tours/tours/

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