Manly, Sydney (northern beaches)

If bronzed Aussies into surf and sun are your style, Manly is your heaven. While Bondi is the most famous beach in Australia, Manly is a great, if not better, alternative. It has a beautiful beach and promenade with large Norfolk Pine trees, beach volleyball nets, a safe children's beach, and a good shopping precinct with alfresco eating. The parks and open spaces here are tops.

The pressure to look beautiful is almost non existent in Manly, unlike some other beaches. This is a place where anyone and everyone can feel welcome. On Sunday mornings the beach bursts into colour as hundreds of children training to become surf life guards (nippers) go through their routines. Weekends are market days, just off The Corso. Also on weekends, Manly can get quite crowded with hundreds using the beach for walks, beach volleyball, or to sunbathe.

Manly has a huge number of parks and open spaces, some with absolutely breathtaking views. North Head, the Manly to Spit Bridge Scenic Walk and Shelly Beach (popular with divers) are three of the best places you can visit in Sydney, and all are in Manly. For more information on these, check out the first two day trip suggestions in Day Trips .

Manly is well serviced by public transport, is a hive of activity and the social centre of Sydney’s north shore with its pubs, cafes, restaurants, and music and iron man festivals .

Rents can be better value than the eastern suburbs but are still on the pricey side. Ouch! Parking is usually not a problem if you get there early enough, but some parking meters along the beach are $6+ per hour! But at least they come with a sensational view.

The vibe: relaxed, healthy, vibrant, surfie. Shoe equivalent: thongs, running shoes. Would suit: anyone, professionals, couples, retirees, backpackers, the young, singles, students, travellers, young families, executives, empty nesters. Location: beach. Postcode: 2095. Distance: 12km from the city centre. About 40 mins by car. Direction: North East. (More info below and to your left <<<)

> MANLY ON THE NORTH SHORE MAP
> TRANSPORT, GETTING HERE
> DISTANCES FROM MANLY TO...

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