Top Things to do in Manly
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Manly, New South Wales
Discover the best top things to do in Manly, Australia including Dive Centre Manly, Manly Ocean Adventures, Local Eyes Sydney, Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Shelly Beach, Manly Quarantine Station, Queenscliff Beach, Manly Bike Tours and Bike Hire, North Head Sanctuary, Manly Kayak Centre.
Restaurants in Manly
1. Dive Centre Manly
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 212 reviews
Dive Centre Manly is situated closest to Sydney's best dive sites. Being a multi-award winning PADI 5 Star Instructor training facility, we offer a complete range of dive courses from Discover Scuba to Instructor level and beyond - including Sydney's most talked about Learn to Dive course. Our fun and unique skilled based training programs, have continually produced better divers - when you finish a program with us, you will have gained the confidence and skills necessary to enjoy a lifetime of diving - we guarantee that you won't be able to wait to jump back in the water again. And learning to dive has never been easier - we have Learn to Dive programs starting up to 5 times a week and are taught by some of the most experienced dive staff in Australia including 1 PADI Course Director, Staff Instructors, Master Scuba Diver Trainers and Divemasters.
2. Manly Ocean Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 205 reviews
Manly Ocean Adventures is the home of the 'Whale Watching Safari,' Sydney's smallest, most personal and most exciting whale watching adventure. Our high speed adventure vessel will get you to the whales quicker than anybody else. Our completely open vessel offers unobstructed views of these majestic animals. Our low position in the water offers you unparalleled, up-close viewing opportunities of the whales, dolphins, penguins and even the occasional seal or shark.
3. Local Eyes Sydney
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Local Eyes hosts private small groups for day tours by road and up to 12 people on our boat charters. We offer a wide range of touring options from half tour touring up to multiple day and destination itineraries. We design all touring around what you want to do and see. We specialise in hosting International and Corporate Hosting. Sydney, the harbour and its regional areas are our backyard and we go out of our way to show the best of our city away from the mainstream tourists. Our objective is to leave you with a feeling you know our city from a locals perspective and experience a side of Sydney most visitors rarely get to experience. Our mantra, if we had one, would be 'Sydney sells itself, we believe it is more about the conversation'. If you get that you will love spending time with Local Eyes Sydney.
4. Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By mrdom
At least of the places I've been. All the way from Shelly Beach (a great beach itself which provides the easiest access to the water) to the headland near Manly beach has a huge variety of fish and some spectacular rocks.
5. Shelly Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,490 reviews
Reviewed By Breadleg - Foster City, United States
A nice walk through the bush and along the cliffs from Manly Bay to Shelly Beach with lots of great outlooks along the way. Some areas require stabile footing due to rocks. Glad we wore trail running shoes. And we did this all in torrential rains. Still loved it.
6. Manly Quarantine Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 353 reviews
Reviewed By AniaTur - Sydney, Australia
I LOVE the Q Station! Walking around it literally feels like travelling in time. You can feel a vibe, a presence - it is quite different from any place I have been to. And IT IS HAUNTED! ;) I had a pleasure of participating in an amazing ghost tour: I learnt a lot about the history of the station - VERY interesting - and I got chills hearing stories about ghost appearances and residual energy imprint haunting in different locations across the Q Station. Walking around such an unusual place in the dark and with just a few lanterns is scary enough but doing so with a black ghost lady as a guide is definitely the next level! And I am pretty sure I saw something in the showers that wasn't supposed to be there! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone looking for more excitement in their lives! By the way, they also great run history tours for those who prefer stay away from the paranormal ;)
7. Queenscliff Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
Queenscliff Beach is located at the far northern end of Manly. At first glance, Queenscliff looks just like a continuation of Manly Beach and many tourists do not tend to venture past the commercial and tourist centre of the main beach. If you want to explore a little further, Queenscliff is easy to get to and has a character of its own. It’s easy to get there on foot. From Manly, just head north along the beach promenade until you get to the big yellow Queenscliff Surf Life Saving clubhouse. It takes about 10-15 minutes. Two particularly nice Queenscliff features are a large tidal pool and a lagoon estuary. A path under the bridge leads to the lagoon, a running track and a large fenced kids’ playground. If you have kids with you and need a break from the sand and surf, this is handy to know about. Directly across the road from the SLS clubhouse are two very popular local spots, the Salty Rooster (the best burgers) and the Corner at Queensie, a café which also does a roaring take-away trade at its side window. There are 2 other ‘hidden gems’ to look out for once you are at Queenscliff: i) One is a secret tunnel, the Manly Wormhole. Cut into the cliff by local fisherman as a shortcut between Queenscliff and Freshwater beach, the entrance is located near the big painted heart on the cliff. ii) The other is what has to be one of the best seats in Sydney. On the rocks, sitting high above the tidal pool, is a single metal bench overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the entire length of Manly beach. If ever there was a spot to sit and contemplate, this has to be it. WARNING – If you are parking at the metered beachfront carparks, don't be tempted to not pay. It is regularly patrolled (as are the surrounding streets) and you are highly likely to be fined. This applies to all of Manly.
8. Manly Bike Tours and Bike Hire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,057 reviews
Cycling is the ideal way to explore and get to see all of Manly in one day. Hire a bike and discover secluded coves, deserted beaches and breathtaking coastal views. With over 20kms of dedicated bike paths and off road trails, Manly caters for all levels of riders. Manly Bike Tours carry a huge range of bicycles for rent, including; beach cruisers, hybrid bikes, road bikes, off-road mountain bikes, kids’ bikes and tandems. We are open 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm.
9. North Head Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 271 reviews
Reviewed By sydneysider48 - Sydney, Australia
North Head offers some great walks through bushland, all well graded and signposted, with terrific views across the harbour to the southern suburbs and the city and out through the Heads to sea.
10. Manly Kayak Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Manly Kayak Centre has been established on Sydney Harbour since 1990 and is proud to be able to provide the most dirverse range of aquatic products and services in Sydney. We have 3 amazing locations where you can rent kayaks, stand up paddle boards, take a lesson or tour, or hire our leisure boat for the day. Our three locations provide access to the best inner harbour beaches and waterways to kayak Sydney Harbour. Join our guides on the 3 Beaches Kayak Tour & picnic lunch, or book your own exclusive Sydney Harbour Beach Picnic and paddle a kayak or be tendered by private boat. Having hosted dozens of proposals our beach picnics are perfect for those special occasions. Try your luck with a Stand up Paddle Board (SUP) or play SUPBALL the latest game to hit the Northern Beaches! Lessons, sales and hire available. Open 9am-5pm 7 days a week. (Excluding some public holidays)
