Top Things to do in Manly
Things to do in Manly, New South Wales: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Manly, Australia including Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Timber Getters Track, Shelly Beach, Queenscliff Beach, North Head Sanctuary, Manly Dam, Fairlight Beach, Little Manly Beach, Forty Baskets Beach, Collins Flat Beach.
Restaurants in Manly
1. 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.
2. Timber Getters Track
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Manly Dam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Rokiii - Sydney, Australia
sheltered area for bbq's, swimming, paddleboarding and walking expensive parking though at about $10 an hr you cant stay for long
7. Fairlight Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
Well known to locals, this is a hidden gem for tourists. It is only a short 15 min walk from Many ferry and the walk along the coastline is beautiful in itself. Tourists of course will want to see Manly Beach first. It’s the main attraction. However, if you want to explore beyond the mainstream tourist sights and go a bit away from the commercial centre of Manly, then this is a perfect diversion. Fairlight Beach is not a typical large surf beach, like Manly. Rather, it is a small, gentle harbour beach. It has excellent snorkelling which brings a lot of people here. If you just want to paddle or have small children, it’s calm waters make it a very good spot. The grassy verge leading down to the sand is perfect for picnics Other features include rock-pools and a tidal swimming pool. From the swimming pool, you can float around, looking out through the Sydney Heads. A great view. There is a shower and toilet block but no lifeguards. GETTING THERE: As you head out of the wharf, turn left and follow the coastal path around behind the Manly Art Gallery and the Waterworks until you reach this beach. The path is a part of the much longer Spit Bridge to Manly Walking Trail.
8. Little Manly Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By JElliot32 - New South Wales, Australia
Little Manly Beach is one of the 'other', less well-known beaches in Manly. Unfortunately, can't say it is unknown or even overlooked, as it can be popular, especially on with families on weekends and during school holidays. It is a harbour beach that offers lovely clean water and sand, safe swimming (the water is shallow, there are no waves and part of the beach is enclosed). There are lawns to sit on as well as the beach itself, as well as an excellent kiosk. Parking is tricky, but then the Manly ferry terminal is less than a km away.
9. Forty Baskets Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By 871rebeccan - Dee Why, Australia
A little hidden gem. A beautiful walk to a little beach usually without many others around. Part of the manly to spit walk path. Great spot as no waves for kids to play and swim in the shoreline.
10. Collins Flat Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By rahelboon - West Lakes, Australia
The positives: Went to the beach with my younger cousins and we really enjoyed it. The walk down the trail is a little rocky but a fun adventure to get down to the beach. The waterfall was flowing and the tide was up high so there were more rock pools and little pools of water everywhere. There is also a little boat that comes every half hour and sells ice cream and cold drinks. The negatives: There are bush turkeys that run around the beach and go through your stuff if you have food, and we couldn’t find a bin.
