Manly in Syndey, Australia

When many of us think of great Australian beaches, Bondi is certainly in the top 3. But, thanks to a friend and a few TikToks, I discovered the beauty that is Manly beach in Sydney. Here’s why I think you should do the same.

It’s a beach suburb, like most places in Australia, so plan to spend most of your time swimming, surfing, paragliding, relaxing, or whatever you prefer to do on the beach. You should also make some time to walk. The views along the beach are gorgeous – there is luxury housing and those iconic views of the sea. You’ll find plenty of people doing the same – either taking a leisurely stroll or an evening run.

Shelly Beach, a short 2km walk from the ferry stop, is absolutely stunning and walking there around sunset offers you picture-perfect views. From here you can look back along Manly beach and the busy centre of town or continue to explore what the suburb has to offer. As you walk towards Shelly, look along the walls for carvings of little creatures and some signage explaining what they are.

While on Manly you absolutely have to eat some gelato. There are a few places near the harbour but the best – an insider recommendation from a friend of mine – is Anita’s Gelato. While it’s not a Manly-only ice cream shop – the global chain has shops in various countries and continents – it’s definitely still worth a stop on your way to the beach. There are also tons of local shops for you to browse while enjoying your gelato (maybe avoid touching anything with ice-cream fingers) or to pick up some sunscreen or a hat if you forgot yours.

I went with two scoops: one strawberry and one cookies and cream

You should set aside a day to make the most of Manly – then you have time to arrive, chill, eat, and enjoy your favourite beach pasttimes. I would also recommend you stay for dinner at Garfish. Their seafood is – obviously – deliciously fresh and the service is fantastic. Their location, right along the harbour, adds to your experience. I’d suggest you save it for dinner – enjoy a day out and eat on the fly and save Garfish for a great sit-down dinner at the harbour before you hop on the ferry back to the city centre of Sydney.

The best way to get to Manly is on a ferry from Circular Quay – where the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are. The ferries run like regular public transport but with more iconic views. It can be a touch chilly so bring a light jacket or scarf to keep you warm, especially on the evening ferry back – that wind can really bite.

Garfish, Manly Harbour, Australia

The Eternal Optimist