Manly Beach and the Manly Scenic Walkway

Manly Beach and the Manly Scenic Walkway are a magnificent and well worth visiting

A view of beautiful Manly Beach
A view of beautiful Manly Beach cc licensed photo by raindog808

Just a 30 minute ferry ride north across the harbour from downtown Sydney you will discover the beautiful community of Manly and its renowned beaches. The most southern of Sydney's northern beaches, Manly Beach is an ideal destination for a day trip out of the heart of Sydney.

When you first arrive by ferry at Manly Wharf you will be greeted by one of Manly's Beaches, but there is far more to see as you will discover below. The beach adjacent to the Manly ferry wharf has a swimming area that is surrounded by mesh — great if you are worried about sharks, although the threat is minimal. Other activities located adjacent to the ferry wharf are the Manly Waterworks waterslide park, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary (formerly Oceanworld Aquarium) where you can dive with sharks or enjoy the newly opened Penguin Cove exhibit, and Manly Art Gallery and Museum.

You'll also want to take a walk through the Corso, a pedestrian plaza lined with shops and restaurants that extends right across the peninsula from the Ferry wharf in Manly Cove to the main portion of Manly Beach on the other side. This famous beach is truly spectacular and offers something for everyone to enjoy. Relish the breathtaking scenery with a stroll along the Manley Scenic Walkway which links Manly Beach to other nearby beaches and parks providing opportunities for some great photos. Spend an afternoon sunbathing and swimming or even surfing. In the rock pool at the north end of the beach you can enjoy swimming in sea water without the waves. Afterwards you can enjoy browsing the many specialty shops or fill up on some food and refreshments at some of the many establishments lining the Corso between the two beaches.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: No

Address: Manly Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Manly Beach Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating We can enjoy this beautiful beach. A calm and serene beach. Very clean and clear. The sand is fine to coarse on this beach. You can find a lot of seagulls here. We find many food courts, cafes, nearby to enjoy the beach and have your food. This beach is a closed one, tides are high, so don't get deep into sea here. The sea pulls us faster into it. So be alert when you are planning to enjoy this beach. Beaches are always a serene space and provide calmness. Should always enjoy it whenever we need grounding for ourselves. And we are confused. These open beaches can transform our thoughts and rejuvenate us, when we keep observing the sea and the surroundings. So enjoy your solitude here or with family. Take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly in the morning, enjoy the food, surroundings and the beach, return back to Circular Quay during sunset, you will love the transition. Manly wharf is also really beautiful, there are few food spots in it. I recommend you to have this experience once in your life!
Anusha M - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Arriving at Manly by ferry sets the mood straight away. You step off into sea air, wander the Corso, and the beach opens up like a big bright postcard. The curve of sand runs between two headlands, the water shifts from pale green to deep blue, and there is a steady buzz without feeling crowded on quieter days. I like finding a spot on the grass above the sand to take it in for a minute, then heading down for a swim once the lifeguards set the flags. Swimming here feels well looked after. Patrols are switched on and happy to explain where the safer banks are, so even visitors can relax. Small days are great for long, easy dips. When there is more energy in the swell you get that satisfying pull as sets arrive, and the flagged zone keeps it sensible. If you want calmer water, follow the ocean path past Fairy Bower to Shelly Beach and float over the kelp with a mask. The rock pool at the south end is another handy backup when the wind is up. Between swims, the promenade is perfect for people watching, runners loop past, and you can grab a coffee within a minute of your towel. Practical stuff is covered. Showers and taps line the promenade, change rooms are close, and there is plenty of room on the lawns for a picnic if you want a breeze without the sand. Food runs from classic fish and chips to sit down brunch, and bins are emptied often so the beach stays tidy. Parking can test patience on sunny weekends, which is why the ferry is hard to beat. Bring sunscreen, a hat, more water than you think you need, and stay for sunset if you can. The cliffs warm in color, the crowd thins, and the walk back along the Corso feels quietly celebratory.
Giap Le - in the last week

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5 Star Rating Manly Beach always feels like a mini getaway. I like arriving by ferry, stepping off at the wharf and wandering the Corso until the sand and that wide sweep of water open up in front of you. Mornings are magic here. The light is soft, the lineup is mostly locals sharing waves, and walkers drift along the promenade with coffee. By late morning the energy lifts in a good way, with families setting up umbrellas and swimmers heading for the flagged area. The beach curves between two headlands so you get postcard views in either direction, and there is usually a salty breeze that keeps the heat in check. Swimming is the highlight. Lifeguards are switched on, moving the flags as sandbanks shift and happily explaining conditions if you ask. Small days are perfect for long, easy dips, while a bit of swell adds that satisfying pull as sets roll through. If you want calmer water, keep following the oceanfront path to Fairy Bower and Shelly Beach where snorkelers float over kelp and bright schools of fish. The rock pool at the southern end is a great fallback on choppier afternoons. Between swims, the promenade is ideal for people watching and the headland walk gives you quick cliff top views without committing to a big hike. Practical bits are well covered. Showers and change rooms are handy, there is plenty of grass above the sand for picnics, and food options run from fish and chips to sit down brunch. Shade on the beach itself is limited, so bring a hat, sunscreen and more water than you think you need. Seagulls are bold if you wave hot chips around, and weekend parking can test patience, so the ferry is the stress free choice. Stay for sunset if you can. The cliffs warm, the water goes glassy and the stroll back along the Corso feels quietly celebratory.
Hoang Giap - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Manly Beach feels like a little holiday as soon as the ferry pulls into the wharf. You spill out onto the Corso with sandy feet already in mind, wander past gelato cabinets and surf shops, then the view opens to a long crescent of pale sand with headlands at each end. Mornings are my favourite. The light is soft, the water shows off its turquoise streaks, and the lineup has an easy rhythm of locals trading waves while joggers trace the promenade. By midday the beach takes on a buzzy, cheerful energy that makes it hard to remember you are still in Sydney. Swimming and surfing both shine here. Lifeguards set clear flags and shift them as sandbanks move, so even first timers feel looked after. On smaller days the shorebreak is playful, on bigger days you feel that satisfying pull as a set rolls through. If you want a gentler dip, walk south to Fairy Bower and Shelly Beach where the headland calms the swell and snorkelling often rewards you with schools of sweep and the odd blue groper cruising the rocks. The oceanfront path makes an easy stroll between viewpoints, and the rock pools at either end are perfect for cooling off without battling waves. Everything you need sits close at hand. Showers line the promenade, change rooms are tidy, and there is plenty of grass for a picnic above the sand when you want a breeze without the grit. Cafes and fish and chip shops are steps away, so you can turn a quick swim into an unplanned lunch. Parking can test patience on sunny weekends, which is why the ferry wins for a relaxed arrival. Shade is limited on the sand, so a hat and sunscreen pay off, and a light layer helps when the seabreeze picks up in the afternoon. Stay for sunset if you can. The cliffs take on warm color, the water turns glassy, and the walk back along the Corso feels quietly celebratory.
Le Hoang Giap - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Offer a perfect mix of laid-back vibes and stunning coastal views, ideal for both surfers and families. The scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay adds to the charm of the experience. Plenty of cafés, shops, and walking paths make it great for a day out.
Chandara Chea - 2 weeks ago

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Directions

Train and Ferry Line Nearest Station Walking Time
L2, T2, T3, or T8 + Ferry F1Circular Quay to Manly Wharf0 minutes

How to get to Manly Beach by Train and Ferry

By Train and Ferry: Make your way by train or bus to Circular Quay and board the F1 Manly Ferry. This is a very scenic 30 minute ferry ride that docks right at Manly Wharf where your adventure begins. While there are other public transit options for getting to Manly, this is the most direct and makes getting there part of the fun.

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