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Manly and Sydney's Northern Beaches

Manly and Sydney's Beautiful Northern Beaches. You will love the beautiful beaches, lagoons, and lakes. Outstanding National Parks, the gorgeous coastal walks and even the local penguins not to mention the best views of Sydney Harbour. No wonder the locals call this Gods Country

3 Walk from Manly Ferry Terminal (Manly Wharf) to Shelly Beach

When you first arrive in Manly you may not feel like it but you are still in Sydney. Manly feels like a seaside town rather than part of the largest city in Australia. The ocean side is east of Manly ferry terminal (Manly Wharf). Just cross the road and walk the length of Manly Corso. Stop and wonder at just what Manly Council were thinking off when they commissioned the steaming pile of sculpture just outside the ferry terminal. Numerous pubs, cafes and shops will crave your patron along the way. Fairy Bower on route to Shelly Beach would be my choice for lunch and Kiosk on Shelly Beach is also worth considering but either, or, or not Manly boasts a million and one places to eat so you won't go hungry.

Shelly Beach

As you approach Shelly Beach look out for the sea rock art to your right (Shelly Beach is an excellent spot of diving). Once you've reached Shelly Beach you can walk up to and across the car park for cliff top views out to sea.

Photos of Manly, Shelly Beach and reviews of Manly

Click for more links to walks and just a chance of seeing a little Manly penguin (very few of them about and very rare to have them breeding on the Australian mainland)

4 North Head

North Head (not far from Manly) will provide you with a stupendous view of Sydney Harbour. If it's wet or very windy you might want to postpone this for another day. Too far to walk from Manly - either drive, cab or bus it from Manly Ferry Wharf.

North Fort (9976 6102) for fortifications, tunnels and guns. There’s a North Fort cafe with a view if you're not as keen as your partner.

Look out the North Head lookouts.

The top of the this web site gives you idea of the views from North Head and also contains details about the park

7 Palm Beach

The forty kilometer trip up to Palm Beach will make you feel at Home whilst your Away - if you like your Aussie soaps that is. Classic beach destination, Palm Beach should be on everyone's top ten. An hour plus drive from the airport Palm Beach was my first stop and should be yours to if you love beautiful beaches. Palm Beach is a very idyllic place with more than its fair share of resident millionaires. Palm Beach is at the end of the peninsular so the ocean beach and Pittwater are a short stroll apart. You can hire a boat and go for a paddle down Pittwater and grab a coffee and sandwich right on the water at 'Carmels'. Whale beach is said to be ‘better’ beach than Palm. Visit both and see what you think.

Palm Beach and Whale Beach Links

Always Wear Sunscreen
Australia excels in all things and is sadly top of the skin cancer league. Slap it on every time you step outside – the sun here is a killer. As anyone who's experienced it will testify, sunstroke is extremely unpleasant and will cost you at least a day or two of your holiday as you recover so please wear a hat.

8 Bilgola Beach

Bilgola Beach can be found just south of Palm Beach and Whale beach. A beautiful spot surrounded by bush and if you're lucky, peace and quiet. Bilgola is an excellent chill out if you avoid weekends and/or arrive early. Bilgola has an ocean pool if you don't like the look of the Bilgola waves and a nice cafe.

Click for a photo of Bilgola Beach

31 Aquarium - Manly Sea Life Sanctuary

A visit to Manly's Sea Life Sanctuary is a good lousy weather activity. Having the sharks and manta rays swim so close is almost as good as being in the water with them. Speaking of which - you can. If you're really adventurous it is possible at Manly Sea Life Sanctuary to go for a dive in the tank.................rather you than me.

Aim to be there during feeding times but just make sure it's not you on the menu. Click below for more information:

Manly Sea Life Sanctuary

34 Manly to Spit Bridge Walk

Most people seem to start from the Spit Bridge and walk to Manly. You could be different and walk it backwards - just mind your step. Either way it’s one of the longer and more rewarding walks in Sydney. If you do finish at the Spit Bridge - there's a place for coffee / cold drink by the water near the yacht club close to Shores Restaurant. Alternatively stop and lunch at Clonnys on the Beach at Clontarf Reserve (Beach). Slightly over priced, variable quality but excellent location.

This site contains a MAP of the Spit Bridge to Manly walk - ignore the times underneath, give yourselves four hours, take water with you and wear flat shoes and of course, sunscreen. Numerous buses cross the Spit Bridge.

It is possible to keep going from the Spit Bridge to Beauty Point / North Bridge please subscribe to Sydney100's free newsletter if you’re seriously interested in going the extra mile or two or more.

42 Ghost Tours

Even after death no-one wants to leave Manly
The Quarantine Station at North Head is apparently quite scary!

Manly - Quarantine Station at North Head, (enter 'ghost' in the search box to find out more about the Quarantine Station))

58 Parasailing / Water Ski Manly

Manly/Narrabeen. If getting thrown around behind the back of a boat or flying high up above one sounds like fun then go for it. Manly wharf is the place to start. If they have banned water skiing in Sydney Harbour (along with Jet Skis) try Manly Damn or Narrabeen slightly further north:

Para Sail - 9977 6781 Manly

Narrabeen - information on

64 Diving

Diving At Shelly Beach

Diving at Shelly Beach is very popular so it must look pretty good down there.

Now inspired (?) you may want to learn how

93 Dee Why

Dee Why is a more of a city feel to it beach than those further north. Dee Why is in the heart of ‘Gods Country’ according to the locals and who am I to disagree. Whales have been seen off of the coast at Dee Why so quick an eye out particularly during the migration season. June and October are said to be the best months.

Rather than the most direct route you could take a detour for a more pleasant drive to Narrabeen just north of Dee Why. Turn left after the Spit Bridge, follow the Wakehurst Parkway all the way to Narrabeen. The drive will take you through National Park and along side Narrabeen Lagoon. At the end of the Wakehurst Parkway turn right for Dee Why or left for Warriewood and Palm Beach.. Be mindful of your speed - the Parkway looks like a fast road but is only 60ks at the first section and there may be speed cameras.

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