Manly is one of Sydney’s favorite seaside destinations offering a laid-back atmosphere and holiday vibe despite its proximity to the city. It is a peninsula bounded by sea on three sides and blessed with several beaches, coves and inlets waiting to be explored.
There are many ways to get to Manly Beach but we chose the 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay (a privately owned ferry also runs between Sydney CBD and Manly taking just 18 minutes). Cruising on the scenic Sydney Harbour for the first time was such an enjoyable experience for a landscape enthusiast like me.
My partner and I had just returned from an epic 6-week road trip in tropical North Queensland and were quite excited to explore Sydney together. The weather was perfect for soaking up the Aussie sun and thawing ourselves from winter hibernation.
And oh, it was my birthday too and I celebrated it by visiting my first beach in Sydney.
The Ferry Ride
Behind me are two of Australia’s most famous landmarks – the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The ferry ride was punctuated by the glistening harbour behind us, lush national parks, sweeping views of the ocean, and some rocky headlands battered by the crashing waves.
The View
As our ferry approached the wharf at Manly, an idyllic beach suburb came into view. Pine trees line the esplanade and bobbing yachts dot the waterfront.
With its relaxed lifestyle, holiday atmosphere and proximity to Central Business District (CBD), Manly’s real estate is some of the most expensive in all of Australia.
After the “Conserve Manly” Project, high-rise development in the area has been regulated while new beachfront developments are limited to no more than three or four storeys in height.
The Wharf
The gateway to Manly Beach.
Just a few steps from the Wharf is Oceanworld Manly offering daily interactive shows and guided tours into the wonders of the deep.
The Corso
The Corso is a pedestrianized promenade linking Manly Cove to Manly Beach. After disembarking from Manly Wharf, it’s a ten minute stroll towards the beachfront. The main thoroughfare is lined with cafes, shops alfresco dining as well as street entertainment.
The Beach
It was winter time in Sydney when we visited Manly so it wasn’t as crowded as we expected it to be. The water is rather cold even for local Sydneysiders and those who were brave enough to face the waves and frigid water were wearing wet suits.
Manly Beach hosts annual sporting events like surfing festival, Ironman competition as well as beach volleyball and swimming tournament.
The Beachgoers
The lengthy and wide beach of Manly is popular among sun worshippers, picnickers, swimmers and surfers. There are pleasant self-guided foreshore walks to be had that are suitable for all levels of fitness.
The Surf
Manly is a world-renowned surfing destination sharing this distinction with the equally famous Bondi Beach. There is a designated safe swimming spot marked by red and yellow flags where beach-goers can swim safely.
After three months in Australia, I finally visited my first beach in Sydney. It was a celebration of many “firsts” and was one of my most memorable birthdays. It was my first trip outside Asia, first birthday overseas, first beach (with serious waves) in Sydney and first time not to really care much about birthday. It must be a sign. You know what they say when you stop counting… 
Lawak ng mga beach shore talaga jan sarap mg tambay lng mg hapon and tingin tingin lng ng mga babes hehe.
how i wish our plans to go to australia would push through… konti na lang… ^_^ if that happens, will review all of your posts again
^ and I’ll watch the surfers! =)
when you stop counting, you’re already at peace? hehe di ko alam!
Manly beach so bawal ang mga beki? Lol, joke lang. Ganda din talaga ang mga beaches sa Australia
Lovely beach! And ang ganda at ang liniiiiiis!
I love Manly Beach! It’s one of my favorite places in Australia. That ferry ride from the city adds to its charm talaga!
saya nga jan. parang walang pakialaman lang talaga.
and natuwa ako sa mga naglalakad na nakapaa sa Corso.
Parang ang sarap mag surf, hehehe! Ito pala yung bday trip mo, belated Happy Birthday sa iyo, claire! =)
isdatchu wearing the pink bikinis? ;p
Ayoko na magbasa ng blog mo. Lalo lang ako nafru-frustrate eh huhu kelan kaya ako makakapunta ng AU
Dami na nagyayaya na relatives and friends, pero parang impossible pa for now 
Anyway, i love the laidback appeal of this beach. I deserve to go there hihihi. Ang dami ngang perstaym! <3
Eh kelan kaya first travel natin together? (sensya na hyper mode ngayon lol)
This looks so much like Durban in South Africa, Claire! I just love the waves…but I have never tried surfing!
it’s so nice how it can be so accessible from the city. a good friend of mine often go there.
Hello,
Lovely pictures, a great place to spend your birthday.
Kris
may surfer’s code pala?
ang ganda ng name ng beach—MANLY. that in contrast to something feminine. At ang likot lang ng utak ko ngyng umaga at ang tingin ko don sa sign MANLY WHORE—wharf pala.sori sori.ang adik lang.nyahaha
hahaha lakas ng tawa ko sa comment ni Senyor Jerome! lol pansin ko lang ang lawak ng mga shores sa kanila noh, yung mga mga estbalishments mejo malayo sa dagat, di tulad ng mga beach saten sobrang lapit sa sea.
Love your post and photos. I especially love seeing you in the photos. Those beaches are beautiful.
Iba talaga ang beaches sa ibang bansa ano? Yung mga structures ay talagang malayo sa tubig. Unlike here sa atin, kulang na lang nasa dagat na talaga yang mga hotels. Naalala ko Puerto Galera at Boracay. Kakalungkot. (Congrats nga pala and best wishes for today!!!)
I sahre the same sentiments with u aleah, Anu kaya ang problema sa Pinas at hindi natin kayang iregulate ang mga beaches natin? Inis lang ako..
I adore Manly! I just wish the weather in Sydney adored me enough to give me a nice day to visit when I don’t have work :-p
Way south of the equator, you can really get such great weather… skies so blue… the waters so inviting… it’s just perfect!
Hmmmm… kaya para Manly beach sa rami ng chicks.. nakaka-MANLY talaga hahaha.
Sobrang na miss ko tong blog mo. Another adventure in Australia. Ganda!
Merry Christmas Claire at Merry Christmas sa lahat ng mga readers ng Lakwatsera De Primera!
Seems like you are enjoying a lot in Australia .. First pic was great ..coz you covered both opera and the bridge ..you have mentioned its winter in Aus Is it so ??
Last time I was backpacking in Manly- the only attraction nakita ko was yung mga cute na lalake doon. Of all parts of Sydney, I like the Manly Beach part best – and not because sa ‘cute attractions’ – but it wasn’t so crowded, it was easy to get around and it didn’t have the ‘big city look’. Enjoy traveling most of Oz– na enjoy ko yung backpacking experience ko there last year. Huuuuge country with so much space
.. i’m sure i’ve read an article about bondi beach before and remebered that it was included in the guinness record where a thousand of women in swimsuit participated in a photoshoot.