Sightseeing Sydney's Northern Beaches

Sydney's Northern Beaches best sights and top attractions

What are the top sights to see on Sydney's Northern Beaches

Manly and Sydney's Northern Beaches

You will love the beautiful beaches, lagoons, 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 Sydney's Northern Beaches Gods Country.

Manly Ferry

The Manly Ferry is the No.1 thing to do in Sydney. The ferry covers the 'business end' of Sydney Harbour in terms of sights and attractions. The Manly ferry leaves from Circular Quay every half-an-hour from 6am till 12 midnight every day, except on weekends and holidays when services begin at 8am. The ride takes about forty minutes, although in choppy seas the trip can take slightly longer - not to worry though, the excitement and adrenalin of dodging the surf will make you forget time altogether. Not only do you get to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House at close quarters you can also feast your eyes upon:

1. Fort Dennison, or ‘Pinchgut’, a place where convicted convicts were confined in the early 1800’s

2. Kirribilli House, the Prime Ministers Sydney residence

3. Admiralty House, Sydney residence of the Governor-General

4. Cremorne Point and Cremorne Reserve

5. Middle Head

6. Clark Island

7. Entrance to Middle Harbour

8. Picturesque harbour-side beaches and coves

9. The exclusive suburbs such as Mosman, Double Bay and Watsons Bay and the luxury water front homes of the rich and famous

10. Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head and the mast of HMAS Sydney

11. Shark Island and the Rose Bay Seaplanes

12. A passing Tall Ship with sails aloft (if you're lucky)

13. Whales, Dolphins, Turtles - well probably just Seagulls but sightings do occur from the ferry

14. Crème de la crème of Sydney Harbour, The Heads. Framed by towering North Head to your left and South Head lighthouse to your right, this is the entrance to Sydney and the gateway to this great southern land

15. Nestled on a thin peninsula just five minutes from North Head is Manly itself, a picturesque district boarded by calm harbour-side beaches and an awesome surf coast and yes you're right, the time does fly by while you look, admire and photograph.

Manly's attraction is it doesn't feel like you are in Sydney..

Having arrived in Manly do you just jump on the ferry out again? No. Manly is one of Sydney's top attractions, ironically because it makes you feel like you aren't in Sydney.

Holiday in Manly

A visit to Manly is like a 'holiday' within a holiday. For starters at least grab an ice cream from the wharf. Its a bit of tradition for some and simply irresistible for others. The Corso is the name of the pedestrian mall which leads to the beach from Manly Wharf. Browse your way through the various shops enjoying the fountains as you go.

Fairy Bower Beach and Shelly Beach Cove

At the end of the Corso you'll find Steyne Road that runs North and South along the coast. From here, turn right along the footpath for an awesome little stroll from South Steyne, around the headland to Fairy Bower Beach and Shelly Beach Cove. Good spot for a coffee stop, snack but mostly for great scenery.

Manly Art Gallery and Museum and Oceanworld

On West Esplanade on the Sydney Harbourside of Manly you will find the Manly Art Gallery and Museum and Oceanworld. The art gallery is open from 10.00am - 5.00pm, focusing its displays on the beach itself. Oceanworld offers a seal show, sharks and sting rays which are fed in the tank by divers at 11.30am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It is open at 10.00am closing at 5.30pm.

North Head - Manly

Catch the bus from Manly Wharf or drive. North Head provides some sensational panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, the most beautiful harbour in the world. Discover the natural beauty of North Head Sanctuary. Once a School of Artillery where Army gunners lived and trained, the headland is now a pristine heathland. Explore patches of rare banksia scrub, visit the hanging swamp and enjoy hidden vantage points offering stunning ocean views on a free self-guided walking tour.

Long Reef - Northern Beaches

The four kilometre (one hour) scenic coastal walk around Long Reef headland and Griffith Park is a sightseers goldstar for scenic splendour. Its just one of the places you want to come back to and many do. She-oak woodland, dune habitat, heathland and restored coastal grasslands await you. Throughout the walk you will also have superb coastal views of rolling surf breaking over the rock platform.

Long Reef - Wildlife

Long Reef is home to local birds in their natural habitat, such as Superb Fairy Wrens, Eagles and Kestrels. In summer, migratory water birds visit Long Reef Point rock platform. Lizards, and grasshoppers in the native grasslands will also keep you occupied around the walk.

Palm Beach- Northern Beaches

Bondi is renown as the Australian iconic 'People's Beach' but Palm Beach and her brothers and sisters in the Northern Beaches of Sydney are real jewels in the sandy crown.

"Summer Bay" or God's Country?

The grassy dunes and yellow sands of Palm Beach may well look familiar. Palm Beach is the fictional neighbourhood of "Summer Bay" from the Australian soap "Home and Away". Filming often takes place at the Surf Life Saving Club and on the sands of Palm Beach.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse

If you are feeling up to it, you can climb the trail to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for spectacular views of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the coast north of Sydney. Relax on the beach, take a ferry to the Basin for a picnic, they call this place God's Country for good reason.

The Bible Garden - Northern Beaches

Bible Garden is a secret little place most Sydneysiders don't know about. The view is simply breathtaking.The Palm Beach Bible Garden was designed and laid out in biblical chronological order, commencing with the plants mentioned in the book of Genesis and ending with a plant to represent immortality. Of the 148 plants mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, it is believed 143 were planted in the Bible Garden.

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