Manly Beach is one of Sydney 's most famous beaches , located north of the city, about 17 km from the city center. This is a great destination for visitors looking for a beautiful beach, lots of outdoor sports activities and not too many tourists.
Manly Beach Address: Google Map .
This is a rare place in Sydney where you can take photos and videos in many different beautiful frames while traveling .
Specifically, to travel from Circular Quay (central Sydney ) to Manly Beach , you will have to take a ferry (a very special form of transportation in Sydney). On the way, you will pass many beautiful photo spots, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, as well as enjoy a panoramic view of the coastal city of Sydney.
From Circular Quay to Manly Beach , you can take 2 types of ferries: Fast ferry (travel time about 20 minutes) and Standard ferry (travel time about 30 minutes).
Having experienced both, I highly recommend taking the standard ferry for the following reasons:
- On the Standard Ferry, you’re free to move around and take photos from all angles —front, back, left, and right. In contrast, the Fast Ferry limits you to the back, as the front is reserved for the driver and the sides are enclosed with windows.
2. Faster travel time on Fast Ferry : this is an advantage but also a disadvantage of this type of ferry. The ferry moves faster, which means it is more unstable, and you have much less time to admire the photos. Most people who come to Manly are tourists, so sitting on the ferry and enjoying the atmosphere, sightseeing and taking photos is the main thing, being 10 minutes slower than Fast Ferry is not too big of a problem.
3. The final reason is about price .
While the price difference isn’t huge, it’s still worth considering. Given all the advantages mentioned above—better mobility for photos, a more stable ride, and extra time to enjoy the scenery—the Standard Ferry is the better choice if you prioritize sightseeing, filming, and photography over saving a few minutes. Plus, at $8 AUD compared to $10.80 AUD for the Fast Ferry, it’s the more budget-friendly option.
How to get there:
Take the train to Circular Quay station, then go out of the station door and you will see the ferry terminals (numbered from wharf 1 to wharf 5). Fast Ferry will pick up passengers at wharf 2 , Standard Ferry will pick up passengers at wharf 3. You just need to tap your Visa / Master Card at the entrance, no need to buy a train ticket.
And here are some photos I took during the ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly Beach:
After approximately 30 minutes, I arrived at Manly Wharf, the closest wharf to Manly Beach. The scenery around the wharf is truly stunning, so I took my time—about 30 minutes—wandering around and capturing some beautiful photos.
Manly Beach is about 500 meters from Manly Wharf, and along the way, you'll pass Coles supermarket, where you can grab some snacks if you're planning a picnic on the beach.
In front of Manly Beach, there is a spacious and scenic pedestrian and cycling path. Many people gather here to picnic, exercise, or simply relax and chat with friends, making it a lively and enjoyable spot to soak in the beach atmosphere.
Manly and Freshwater Beach are known as the “birthplace of surfing in Australia” and in 2012 were recognised as a World Surfing Reserve .
There are also swimming lessons for children and surfing lessons for adults. If you are looking for a place to learn to surf, Manly Surf School is a good choice for you.
In addition to surfing and swimming lessons, Manly Beach is also home to numerous volleyball classes and amateur beach volleyball clubs, making it a great spot for both beginners and enthusiasts to enjoy the sport.
The best time to go to Manly Beach is:
– Summer (December – February) : Ideal for swimming, diving and outdoor sports activities.
– Spring & Fall (September – November, March – May) : Pleasant climate, less crowded, suitable for beach walks, picnics or sports activities.
Manly Beach and Bondi Beach are two of the most beautiful and must-visit beaches in Sydney, both offering fantastic waves for surfing enthusiasts. However, Bondi Beach is often crowded with tourists, especially on weekends and holidays, due to its global popularity. If you prefer a more relaxed and less crowded beach experience, Manly Beach is the better choice when visiting Sydney.
A “hidden gem” at Manly Beach that you shouldn’t miss is the Manly Wormhole—a secret tunnel carved through the rocks, offering a unique spot for stunning views and great photos.
The Manly Wormhole is a small cave, about 30 meters long, that leads from Manly Beach to a stunning vantage point. From there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the towering cliffs and the vast ocean stretching out before you.
Manly Wormhole Address: Google Map.
To reach the Manly Wormhole, simply walk past the pool, climb over the cliffs, and follow Google Maps. You'll soon find the entrance to this hidden gem, ready to reward you with incredible views.
Since it's a cave, the Manly Wormhole tends to be extremely windy and cool, offering a refreshing escape. Combined with the majestic scenery and the fact that it’s a hidden gem with very few visitors, the atmosphere here feels calm and peaceful, making it an even more special and tranquil spot to enjoy.
After spending about 30 minutes filming and taking pictures at the Manly Wormhole, I made my way back to the beach, then headed back to the hotel, wrapping up the trip with unforgettable memories.
Here are some of the most worth-experiencing hotels around Manly Beach that you can consider for your stay. It's a good idea to book in advance for your trip:
And above is my whole experience at Manly beach , a beautiful beach in the North of Sydney. With clear blue water, wide beaches, many sports activities as well as picnics, Manly is definitely one of the most recommended beaches in Sydney.
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