Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, ManlyCredit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying an afternoon of stand up paddleboarding inside Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Manly.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
Soak up the spectacular Sydney Harbour scenery on a ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly, then ease into the effortlessly laidback lifestyle of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Find your new favourite beach and much more on this dazzling 40km stretch of coastline that’s also home to great cafés, bars, shops and wilderness areas. Here are just a few highlights to inspire a memorable visit.
Savour the Northern Beaches
Step off the ferry in Manly and into one of the Northern Beaches’ hottest dining precincts, Manly Wharf. Drink in the seaside pub vibe of the Wharf Bar overlooking the water along with new sister-venue The Tropic, a pastel-hued oasis of smart-casual dining right next door. Order a refreshing drink at either spot and lean into the tropical atmosphere.
Try something else new and seek out tucked-away Banco Manly, a hip laneway bar where you’ll be glad you followed the locals’ lead in ordering a lobster roll with your natural wine. Then escape to underground speakeasy The Cumberland Manly Cove to discover how the use of foraged botanicals elevates the hidden bar’s craft cocktails.
Or stick with soothing sea views and head to Manly Greenhouse, where you can take your pick from three unique drinking and dining experiences spread across three levels. Nab a perch by the window on any floor and watch surfers slice through the waves at Manly Beach as you sip a locally brewed beer.
Heading up the peninsula, admire the retro-chic renovation of the beloved Harbord Hotel in Freshwater, a haven of coastal hospitality where the beer is cold and the good times roll.Then stop in at Dee Why to take a bite of the Mediterranean at Coretto Dee Why, where its aqua tones will make you feel like you’re still on the beach across the road as you feast on parmesan baked scallops or vegan roast pumpkin bruschetta.
Other tasty diversions include The Park House in Mona Vale with its cocktail lounge, craft beer bar, restaurant, pizza kitchen, market stalls, live music, and games for kids; all-day eatery The Collaroy, where sweeping Collaroy Beach views set the scene for a relaxing long lunch, and The Newport, where you can linger in the sprawling beer garden as yachts criss-cross the serene waters of pretty Pittwater beyond.
Embrace the lazy-summer-day-by-the-sea vibe at Palm Beach foodie favourite Barrenjoey House, where maritime-inspired interiors complement a smart seafood focused menu served in a light-filled heritage-listed building at the region’s northern tip.
Manly Ferry, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
The Manly ferry service arriving at Manly Wharf.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
Manly Ferry, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
The Manly ferry service arriving at Manly Wharf.
The Cumberland, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
Couple watching a bartender preparing cocktails at The Cumberland, Manly.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
The Cumberland, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
Couple watching a bartender preparing cocktails at The Cumberland, Manly.
Shop the Northern Beaches style
Indulge in retail therapy in Manly, where you can shop for the laidback beach look at the many surf stores in The Corso and beyond. Or explore the backstreets and unearth vintage designs at Sammy and Sid and quirky accessories at Bow + Arrow. Manly Markets 2095 pops up on Sydney Road (just off The Corso) every weekend; set yourself up for a morning of browsing local arts and crafts with a passionately brewed coffee from a local café such as Silo Espresso.
Discover a hidden fashion enclave in the peaceful suburb of Freshwater. Pick up bohemian pieces at Kivari, Northern Beaches-approved swimwear at Wanderlust Swim and more vintage threads at Restated Vintage. Treat yourself to some Hamptons-inspired homewares at Alfresco Emporium in Collaroy, which also has a florist and a café, or if Scandinavian chic is more your style, make your way to Nordic Fusion in Manly.
Dive into nature’s playground
Marvel at the choice of local beaches, including more than 20 ocean beaches alone. Join families at protected Freshwater, catch a wave on a lesson with Manly Surf School, or rub shoulders with the rich and famous at Palm Beach. Or, discover the vibrant marine life on a memorable tour with EcoTreasures from Shelly Beach, at the southern end of Manly.
Seize the chance to immerse yourself in one of the region’s most stunning coastal bush settings on an invigorating hike to historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse (built in 1881), perched atop Barrenjoey Head at the northern end of Palm Beach. There are two routes to the top; take it easy on the 2km-return Barrenjoey Track or work up a sweat on the shorter but steeper Smugglers Track.
Enjoy more incredible coastal views as you breathe in the salty sea air on the Dee Why Headland Walk, which traces the cliffs between Dee Why and North Curl Curl beaches for 1.6km, and the 10km Manly Scenic Walkway (also known as the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk). Get a glimpse of the region’s Indigenous heritage as you admire Aboriginal rock carvings en route.
Or experience a thrill tackling the region’s network of mountain biking trails. Find out why dedicated mountain bikers will cross Sydney to ride the 19km circuit around Manly Dam, which is suitable for all skill levels. Learn the ropes or discover some of the region’s hidden trails on a tour with Joe’s Mountain Bike Tours.
Book your perfect beachside stay
Feel like you’re a world away from the city with an overnight stay in Manly, even though it’s just a 30-minute ferry ride away. The Manly Pacific Sydney has well-priced rooms and apartments overlooking the ocean. Relish the convenience of sleeping just steps away from cafés, restaurants and shops, not to mention the beach.
Embrace the high-end intimacy of Jonah’s at Whale Beach, a Northern Beaches institution for more than 90 years. Check into one of its 11 recently refurbished rooms featuring parquet flooring, textured wallpaper, a neutral colour scheme and rich gold accents, then take your seat for a memorable meal at the venue’s award-winning restaurant, washed down with a selection from the 1,600-strong wine list.
Drink in the sea views from your private balcony at The Sands, sitting in between ocean and a lagoon on the narrow Narrabeen peninsula. The property has 47 studios, suites and one-bedroom apartments, many with ocean views, as well as a restaurant and bar. Grab one of the hotel’s bicycles and take the opportunity to explore the area at a leisurely Northern Beaches pace.
Or, perch yourself in the lush canopy at Wild Luxury's newest property, Crane Lodge. Suspended above breathtaking bushland near Whale Beach, the five-bedroom property transports guests away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday with luxury features including a heated swimming pool, 38 degree cedar hot tub and outdoor fire pit.
Manly Pacific Credit: Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific
Enjoying the view at the Manly Pacific Hotel in Manly, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
Manly Pacific Credit: Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific
Enjoying the view at the Manly Pacific Hotel in Manly, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Crane Lodge, Palm Beach
Hanging in the lush canopy of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Crane Lodge is suspended at the apex of endangered angophora bushland.
#feelnew #feelnewsydney
Crane Lodge, Palm Beach
Hanging in the lush canopy of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Crane Lodge is suspended at the apex of endangered angophora bushland.
More Inspirational Stories
Firedoor, SydneyCredit: Nikki To
Chef Lennox Hastie in the kitchen at Surry Hill's Firedoor restaurant.
#feelnew #feelnewsydney
Renowned for the sparkling harbour and balmy evenings, Sydney reveals a slew of new flavours as the hot days turn to cool and colourful nights this winter. Where comfort food reigns supreme, from fine dining takes on classic dishes to cult-status budget friendly eats – refuel with some delicious winter warmers in the harbour city.
Firedoor
The hottest seat in town is the counter at Firedoor. Literally. Escape the winter breeze and be warmed by the heat of the wood-fired oven, which can reach 1600C, as you watch Lennox Hastie and his team cooking over charcoal, embers and open flames. Everything is kissed by smoke, from fat oysters to fresh vegetables and memorable steaks - dry aged for around 150 days, it’ll thrill your taste buds in a way you never thought possible.
Fred’s
The crackling fire over the open hearth is a sign of what’s to come at Fred’s. From a daily changing menu featuring freshly caught seafood and mouth-watering steaks - you can see and hear the chefs prepare your meal so that it feels as if you’re part of the kitchen. The rhythmic chop of the knives, the bubbling water as it boils and the hiss of the hot grills makes you forget bustling Oxford Street is just behind you as you immerse yourself in the theatre of a fine dining kitchen that has the rustic charm of a country farmhouse.
Ester
The concrete walls and woodfired oven at Ester create the sensation of stepping into a bunker, albeit one with deliciously scorched food. The modern Australian menu is peppered with native ingredients and while it’s not bush tucker, it is a unique taste of this land of sweeping plains. Think handpicked mud crab with claypot rice, king prawns with fermented shrimp butter and dry aged pork chop with a flavourful native spice rub cooked over charcoal.
Margaret
Retreat from the cool wintry nights with a heartwarming dining experience at acclaimed chef Neil Perry’s first solo restaurant – Margaret. Named in honor of his late mother, the 170 seat fine-diner combines the homestyle heart of mum’s cooking with a surprise twist of a chef at his peak. The chicken is done over a wood rotisserie, the fish has a gremolata crumb and the baked pear and raspberry pudding with vanilla sauce is just the thing to warm you up from the inside out.
Margaret, Double Bay, Sydney Credit: Petrina Tinsley
Margaret by Neil Perry AM, presents modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian flavours with a large focus on fresh local produce.
#feelnew #feelnewsydney
Margaret, Double Bay, Sydney Credit: Petrina Tinsley
Margaret by Neil Perry AM, presents modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian flavours with a large focus on fresh local produce.
Margaret, Double Bay, Sydney Credit: Petrina Tinsley
Margaret by Neil Perry AM, presents modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian flavours with a large focus on fresh local produce.
#feelnew #feelnewsydney
Margaret, Double Bay, Sydney Credit: Petrina Tinsley
Margaret by Neil Perry AM, presents modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian flavours with a large focus on fresh local produce.
Bennelong
Set inside the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House, Bennelong’s curated menu offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Peter Gilmore’s dishes are as whimsical, memorable and quintessentially Australian as the restaurant’s setting. His lamington has all the nostalgic flavours of the beloved classic, with the addition of cherry jam, coconut cream ice-cream and chocolate ganache.
Chaco Ramen
For a delicious soul-soothing dish on a cool winter eve’, pay a visit to Chaco Ramen for one of their cult-status dishes - The Fat Soy ramen. The equivalent of a big, warm hug on a chilly day – this delectable velvety mix of broth, pork, chicken and fish, made rich and thick by the addition of pork fat is a true crowd pleaser, so pack a jumper and get in line.
The Duke of Clarence
A roaring fireplace, cozy Chesterfield couches you can sink into and wall-to-wall bookshelves make The Duke of Clarence a place to linger. Hidden in the centre of the harbour city, this 18th-Century inspired London Tavern is renowned for wholesome British eats ideal for cooler days – from home-cooked pies, to bangers and mash. Warm up your weekend with a memorable roast, and pick from one of four options every Sunday, each served with delicious Yorkshire puddings to soak up the rich gravy.
Restaurant Hubert
Descend the curved, wood-paneled staircase to Restaurant Hubert and lose yourself in a world made for bon vivants. Time is irrelevant here; this is the kind of place that makes you want to stretch your night out. Martinis in the bar turn into a dinner of French bistro classics with a twist, think roasted snails with XO butter, and live jazz that will convince you to linger a little longer over a digestif.
Aalia
Reveal a world you didn’t know existed at Aalia as you take your taste buds on an adventure through the lands of the Levant and Northern Africa. With chef Paul Farag at the helm, Middle Eastern food is elevated to fine dining status. He combines tradition with modern techniques to offer diners a time-travelling odyssey. Discover the old-world flavours of molokhia, geymar and kabsa as Farag spins his new-world interpretation of classic dishes.
Bennelong Restaurant, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Bennelong Restaurant chef prepping in the kitchen. Bennelong Restaurant, Sydney.
#feelnew #feelnewsydney
Bennelong Restaurant, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Bennelong Restaurant chef prepping in the kitchen. Bennelong Restaurant, Sydney.
Restaurant Hubert, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drink at French restaurant Restaurant Hubert, Sydney.
#feelnew #feelnewsydney
Restaurant Hubert, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drink at French restaurant Restaurant Hubert, Sydney.