As you sail into the wharf there are still Manly figures to behold running, roller-blading, sailing or surfing. It’s position at the North Head of Sydney Harbour means that the quickest way to get to there is on the water, which is in itself a high-point of doing Manly. Regular ferry and speed-cat services run from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf and take in spectacular harbour views. Half an hour (or less) later, when you disembark your vessel of choice you are greeted by a floor message proclaiming, ‘Manly, seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from a care’. This slogan is true in that, it hints at a sense of remoteness that this area possesses - you feel as though you are on a day trip to the seaside, rather than just visiting another Sydney suburb.
Manly’s harbour-ocean straddling location means that, you can choose between surf beaches and calmer harbour water, where they have netted off a gorgeous section of beach for bathers to enjoy free from the ferries, yachts, power boats and paragliders that weave across the harbour waters. The harbour beachfront is fringed by a commemorative walkway, which in keeping with the Manly spirit honours the Australian Olympians and paralympians of the past. This leads to the Scenic walk, which takes you to Spit Bridge at the narrowest section of the middle harbour. It is quite a hike but well worth the effort as it takes in all sorts of terrain and aspects; from deep bush-land to lofty, coastal cliff-top paths with city, harbour and ocean views.
If that is too much for you stop your promenading at the end of the harbour beach and choose between seeing ‘Australia’s largest sharks’ at Ocean World, taking in an exhibition at Manly Art Gallery & Museum or hurtling down the twisty water slides at The Water Works. Now that’s diversity for you!
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