Wanderlust Wednesdays: Manly Beach (NSW Australia)

A friend on mine based in Singapore visited Sydney two weeks ago.  She was vacationing in Gold Coast with friends then so I invited her to wander around Sydney even for just a day.  Her schedule was pretty tight so we had to make the most of her stay.

Sydney is a big city so that it's impossible to see all the beautiful places here in just one day.  I had to choose well on where to take her, taking into consideration time, location and things she would like to do.  It was already a given that we will hang out in the city but other than that, I wanted to take her somewhere she haven't been to before (she already vacationed in Sydney four years ago). 

Our first and major itinerary for the day was a trip to Manly Beach.  It is one of Sydney's beautiful beaches only 30 minutes away from the CBD.  In order to get to Manly, one has to take the ferry in Circular Quay. 

 

When in Circular Quay, one will get to see the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.  So while we wait to get on a ferry, my friend and I were able to take lots of photos.

While on the ferry, one will also get to view the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.  My friend enjoyed the short ride and sights while we were on board the ferry.

Personally, I love Manly Beach that's why I like bringing family and friends to this place.  On the way to the beach, one will walk along an avenue of shops and restaurants.

When you see an abundance of pine trees (yes, pine trees by the beach), you know that the beach is just nearby.

We hung out by the beach for about two hours.  I was so grateful that the weather that day was sunny and windy.  It was such a lovely day to be at the beach.

Before we headed back to the City, we had a very late lunch at Bavarian Bier Cafe (will share on another post).  Manly Wharf has numerous restaurants with a good view and Bavarian Bier Cafe was one of them.

How to Get to Manly:
Sydney Ferries’ famous Manly Ferry is a "must do" for visitors and makes the 30 minute trip regularly, day and night. Manly Ferry timetables and information about fares, passes and attractions are available from www.sydneyferries.info

Also departing from Manly Wharf and Pier 2 are high speed ferry services operated by Sydney Fast Ferries and Manly Fast Ferries. Manly Fast Ferry offer an hourly service through the day, to Manly, Monday to Friday, along with extra services on the weekend.

Sydney Fast Ferries operates between Manly and Circular Quay from Monday through to Friday in the Morning and returning to service in the afternoon. The journey takes approximately 15 - 30 minutes.

Water Taxis
Sydney Water Taxis - 1300 666 484
Peninsula Water Taxis 0415 408 831
Yellow Water Taxis. Phone 1300 138 840

By road, Manly Warringah Cabs has been servicing the Northern Beaches since 1953 and can be booked by phoning 131668.

Bus services connect Manly with the City, the Northern Beaches and to the west, St Leonards and Epping and Manly Hospital. Please see Manly Wharf Bus Stop Guide

Manly Airport Bus transfers visitors to and from the Manly region, they can be booked on 9981 1453 . Travel time to Sydney Airport is approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic. {source}