Manly, located seven miles north-east of Sydney, Australia, on the lower Northern Beaches, is on a narrow peninsula, bordered on three sides by water. Captain Arthur Phillip came up with the name “Manly” after he met the confident and manly Aboriginal people of the Kay-ye-my clan who lived in the area. Described in the old tourist brochures as “seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care,” Manly is regarded as Sydney’s premier beach resort and the gateway to the north shore beaches. Manly is the ideal destination for swimming, sailing and surfing as it comprises a harbour and 18 ocean beaches.
In 1915, Duke Kahanamoku, a native of Hawaii, rode the waves using a plank of shaped wood. This heralded the arrival of surfing in Manly. It was also the site of a one-man beach protest over the no daylight swimming law, which gave birth to the avid beach culture in Sydney.
The Oceanside surfing beaches and coves of Manly is perfect for an array of water activities, including surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. For a more sedate and leisurely activity, beachgoers can simply lie on the pristine sand to sunbather, take a plunge in one of the saltwater swimming pools, or go swimming off the beaches with on-duty lifeguards. Manly is also home to the famous pedestrian walk called “The Corso,” which connects the harbor to the seaside, where beach volleyball, surf competitions, international jazz festivals and other events take place.
The Corso offers numerous shops as well as an array of places to dine and drink. Walking along the Corso offers pedestrians a spectacular view of the ocean. From the promenade, a foot path was created along the shoreline to lead beachgoers from South Styne to FairyBowerBeach and the picturesque cove of Shelly Beach. This foot path is also called the “Millionaire’s Walk,” in reference to the luxurious homes dotting the hills.