by Jason Martin

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Manly, NSW, Australia

While there are hundreds of article and even full books about visiting Sydney, many people never get across the harbor to the little village of Manly. From downtown Sydney, you can catch the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, right next to the famous Sydney Opera House. The Ferry is a refreshing 33 minute trip across the harbor to the Manly Docks, still on the inside of the harbor.

The Manly dock faces a street called The Corso, which is the main shopping street of Manly and a pedestrian walkway from the harbor side to the beach side of Manly. The town is placed on a thin penninsula of land that makes up the north side of the Sydney harbor entrance. The town fills the land with beaches on both the harbor and ocean sides.

I had the great fortune to live in Manly for almost a year while working in downtown Sydney. The short commute by ferry was a novel way to open each day, and the location provided the best of both the city and suburban living. The ferries were fast and inexpensive, and usually run deadly ontime. If ever the occasion arises, you could take public transit buses or a taxi from the City around to Manly.

For a small town, Manly has everything you could want for daily life or just a holiday visit There are hotels from the small pub hotels to international style resorts like the Manly Pacific which faces the Pacific Ocean side. The city is covered with restaurants of a similar range, from pubs and take-away stands to some fine dining restaurants of many ethnic cusines. There are establishments to fit every taste and budget.

The ocean beach at Manly is a favorite with Sydney-siders on day trips and local residents as well. The beach is broad and clean, and only steps from concessions and shops. While it faces the open Pacific, Manly is probably not the best surfing beach in the Sydney area, although there are always a few die-hards trying it.

If your itinerary should include a few days in Sydney, definitely take the short ferry ride to Manly for a day. Walk the Corso and enjoy the shops. The beach here is a must, as is the harbor side, which you will see when you arrive by ferry.

Don't miss this small gem of a town just across the harbor from downtown Sydney.

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