Business Directory and Tourist Guide
the magic of manly - an experience for everyone
Manly is Sydney’s original seaside resort only minutes by ferry from Australia’s largest commercial centre, Sydney. On the 21st January, 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip explored the Port Jackson area. On entering
the Heads he described what he saw “as the finest Harbour in the World”. Captain Phillip documented that
his small party of men was approached by a number of Aboriginal men who had a “manly appearance”,
thus was born Manly Cove.
In 1852 an English businessman, Henry Gilbert Smith, recognised the opportunity for Manly as a holiday resort. He acquired considerable land and commenced a paddle steamer service from Sydney across to Manly. He soon had built a hotel and allocated land for churches and built the first Manly pier where the current wharf is situated today.
Manly achieved its own seat of Government on the January 6, 1877. Colonel Thomas Rowe, Architect and Military Officer became Manly’s first Mayor. Public bathing initially was prohibited between the hours
of 0600 am and 0800 pm with men only allowed to bathe in neck to knee bathers outside these hours.
Manly’s first newspaper was the “Spectator” published 1877. The first issue of the present day Manly Daily appeared on July 28, 1906. Steam trams first appeared in Manly in 1903 with a service to Manly Lagoon. Steam trams were replaced by electric trams which continued in service till September 30, 1939.
Today Manly attracts over six million visitors a year and presents many special events and festivals
including The Food and Wine Festival in June, The Manly Jazz Festival in October and Manly Ocean
Care Day on the first Sunday in summer each year.
Manly combines the relaxed atmosphere of a holiday resort with the cosmopolitan feel of a major
destination. Manly is a peninsula bounded by water on three sides. There are 18 beaches, coves and
inlets to swim, sail in and enjoy. The narrow strip of land between the harbour and the ocean known by the locals as “The Village”, is called The Corso. Only 8 minutes away is the famous Warringah Shopping Mall.
The Manly to Spit Bridge Walk is one of the most famous scenic walks in the World. The Manly Heritage Walk will guide you through the heart of Manly and its varied history. The North Fort Artillery Museum at North Head has a fascinating collection of guns used in the defence of Australia over the past 200 years. Tours of the subterranean network of tunnels allow visitors to experience life in a fortress system.
There are many varied recreational activities being offered which include swimming, snorkelling, surfing, parasailing, scuba diving, tennis, golf, fishing, boating, boules, cycling and rollerblading.
Manly also provides an internationally recognised English Language School, a cosmopolitan Education Centre and an International College of Management.
Everywhere you go in Manly you will be surrounded by Australia’s heritage items listed on the National Estate.... the Ocean Beach and its famous Norfolk Pines, the Harbour foreshore, Manly Dam, Bantry Bay, Quarantine Station and St. Patrick’s. The surrounding National Parks on North Head, Dobroyd and Garigal offer a wonderful variety of walks and sights with their towering sandstone cliffs and sparkling blue waters to the deep green anchorages of the harbour.
Manly achieved a world first with the listing of two common species, the Little Penguin and Long-nosed Bandicoot as threatened populations in Manly (see sculptures on the
Cabbage Tree Bay Sculpture Walk).
Things to See and Do
MANLY’s ‘NO TAKE’ AQUATIC RESERVE
at Cabbage Tree Bay (Shelly Beach)
Manly’s Cabbage Tree Bay (the small north-facing bay between Shelly Beach headland and the southern point of South Steyne) was declared a ‘No Take’ Aquatic Reserve in March 2002.
Being a ‘No Take’ Aquatic Reserve means that the area can be used for a wide range of passive recreations, but people are not permitted to remove or destroy any aquatic life, including, but not limited to, empty shells, plants, fish and invertebrates.
Cabbage Tree Bay is attractive to a range of active and passive users of all ages and is recognised nationally for its environmental and cultural significance.
Council and Fisheries are working together to manage the Aquatic Reserve and a number of projects are underway to monitor the aquatic reserve, educate people about the aquatic reserve and to manage and improve
not only the aquatic environment but the surrounding lands and associated issues. For further information, please contact Council’s Natural Resources Team on Phone 9976 1500.
Q STATION RETREAT - 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly.
Explore, Tour, Dine, Stay...
Just 5 minutes from Manly, this historic retreat in the heart of the National Park offers 72 beautiful heritage accommodation rooms, the fantastic boilerhouse Harbourside Restaurant on Quarantine Beach, an amazing Theatre Show called Defiance and many day and night tours.
Experience the serene natural surrounds of Q Station Retreat, or let
nightfall be your doorway to another world as you hear the stories and legends of residents past on our ghost tours.
For bookings call 02 9976 6220 or visit www.qstation.com.au
NORTH FORT MANLY - Scenic Drive Manly
The fort includes tunnels, fortifications and the artillery museum. Magnificent views of Sydney and the Harbour. BBQ facilities available. Open Wed, Sat, Sun.
OCEANWORLD MANLY - West Esplanade, Manly
Australia’s marine life is world famous and while you are at Manly, you must visit Oceanworld. Walk through a gigantic acrylic tunnel and experience huge Grey Nurse sharks gliding overhead. There’s brilliant coral displays, a touch pool and so much more. Enjoy a delicious snack at the Coral Cafe overlooking Manly Cove or browse through the marine themed gift shop. Open 7 Days 10 am - 5.30 pm.
RESTAURANTS
Over 80 throughout Manly, offering cuisine’s from around the world at prices to suit every budget. Comprehensive dining guide available from the Manly Visitor Information Centre.
WALKS
Manly Scenic Walkway: one of the most scenic harbour foreshore walkways in the world. The walkway is approximately 10km in length and takes about 3 hours to complete.
The Heart of Manly Heritage Walk: a self-guided walk to view the heritage of Manly. Guide books available for $5 at the Manly Visitor Information Centre.
Fairfax Walking Track, North Head: breathtaking views of the entrance to Sydney Harbour from the national park. Track is approximately 1 km in length - see North Head bus entry for timetable details.
Cabbage Tree Bay Eco-Sculpture Walk: Experience Cabbage Tree Bay’s unique marine life, plants, animals, history and attractions while walking along the Bay’s stunning coastline. From Manly or Shelly Beach walk along Marine Parade to observe the sculptures. Each of the sculptures represents a special feature of Cabbage Tree Bay.
MANLY ART GALLERY & MUSEUM
West Esplanade, Manly (Next to Oceanworld)
A public regional gallery and museum with Australian art, ceramics and local history collections. Interesting features include paintings of Manly, historical photos, contemporary ceramics, swimming costumes and beach memorabilia. Open Tues-Sun 10 am - 5 pm.
MANLY ENVIRONMENT CENTRE - 41 Belgrave Street (Cnr. Raglan St)
Discover more about conserving Manly’s fascinating environment by dropping into the shopfront of this award-winning centre.
THE AQUATIC RESERVE
North Harbour (Sydney) Aquatic Reserve was declared by NSW Fisheries in 1982. The Reserve’s boundaries are a line between the headlands at North Head and Grotto Point and a line joining Little Manly Point and Forty Baskets Beach. This Reserve, approx. 250 ha, extends from the seabed at these outer boundaries up to the mean high water mark between them.
Some of the colony’s earliest marine specimens were collected from Spring Cove, now within the Reserve. These include those gathered by Dr. James Stuart, a superintendent at the North Head Quarantine Station during the 1830’s. His collections and drawings can still be seen at the Australian Museum in Sydney.
MANLY CINEMAS - Opposite Manly Wharf Latest release movies. Weekdays, weekend and matinee sessions. Bargain day Tuesday.
MANLY LIBRARY - 1 Market Place, Manly Modern and comprehensive, offering an extensive range of facilities and information.
MANLY ANDREW “BOY” CHARLTON SWIMMING CENTRE
Balgowlah Road, Manly
Open 7 days per week: 5 .30 am - 7 pm weekdays & 6 am - 7 pm weekends. The Centre closes at end of June and re-opens early August.
For more information about any of these interesting, fun, free activities and other great things to see
and do in Manly contact the friendly team at the Manly Visitor Information Centre.
E: vic@manly.nsw.gov.au www.manlyaustralia.com.au
manly Visitor Information Centre
on the ForecourtManly Wharf, Manly NSW 2095
