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. Day tours of the Breathtaking
Northern Beaches |
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) .
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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 (135
from Manly Ferry Wharf - but please confirm just in case the route
has been changed)
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.
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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
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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 Oceanworld
A visit to Manly's Oceanworld 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 Oceanworld 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
Oceanworld |
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 - check Sydney
Ferries and public transport information for details.
It is possible to keep going from the Spit Bridge to Beauty Point
/ North Bridge please subscribe to ‘Sydney’
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.
Nice
Dee Why photos for you
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. |