This famous beachside suburb on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is loved by locals, day-trippers and tourists alike. Tucked away on a peninsula about 14 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, Manly is home to a diverse range of Sydneysiders from wealthy business execs, young professionals and families, to retirees and backpackers.
It also hosts an eclectic mix of properties, from art deco houses, Mediterranean style apartments, federation homes, luxury mansions, state of the art apartments and single level beach houses. This suburb may be bustling, especially on a weekend, but it still has the laid-back beach vibe that’s so sought after.
One thing you can’t help but notice is that Manly does the outdoors so well. From the beach to water sports to sipping on cocktails by the harbour; why would you want to be inside when you can be amongst Manly’s spectacular outdoors?
While there are not many negatives about Manly, there are two common complaints from residents – the lack of (and overpriced) parking and the busy workday commute into the CBD along the Spit Bridge.
Top things to do in Manly
Catch the ferry to Circular Quay
Sure it’s touristy, but there’s no ferry ride in the world quite like the infamous trip from Manly Harbour to Circular Quay. You have to do it at least once.
Stroll along The Corso
The Corso is the main pedestrian strip in Manly, connecting the harbour to the beach. It’s lined with cafes, shops, bars, galleries and ice creameries. It’s the Champs Elysees of Manly, if you will. It also plays host to the weekly Manly markets.
Manly Jazz Festival & Taste of Manly Festival
There are two main festivals that take place in Manly each year – the Manly Jazz Festival and Taste of Manly Festival. If you’re a Sydneysider who loves either food or jazz, they’re not to be missed.
Manly quick stats
- Postcode– 2095
- Vacancy rate– 3 per cent
- Median house value– $2,587,455
- Median unit value– $1,248,736
- Price growth – House prices in Manly have grown by 42.92 per cent in the past three years while unit prices have increased by 46.91 per cent in the same period
- Rental returns– The average house in Manly has a weekly median rent of $1,395 and average rental returns of 3.09 per cent, while units have a median weekly rent of $700 and average returns of 3.50 per cent
- Average listing duration– 35 days for houses; 28 days for units
- Average weekly income– $1213
- Dwelling type– The majority of properties are units (61 per cent)
- Occupation – The majority of residents are Professionals
- Ownership – The majority of properties are rented (52 per cent) while 25 per cent are fully owned
- Birthplace – 52 per cent of Manly residents are Australian
- Age – The majority of residents are in the 30-39 years age group (26 per cent) though there is a fairly even spread of all age groups in this suburb.
Learn more about the stats and figures for Manly.
Places to eat in Manly
Manly has an array of eateries from beachside cafes, seafood restaurants, Thai, Japanese, Brazilian, Mexican and Jamaican to bakeries, health food cafes, casual takeaways and formal dining restaurants. You’ll also find large chains such as McDonalds, Dominoes and Nandos. Local favourites include Blue Water Café, Garfish Manly, Fika Swedish Kitchen, Chicha Bonita, The Pantry Manly and Maestro & Co. The infamous and fashionable Hugos is also a must for some weekend harbour side drinks and pizzas.
Transport
Manly is well serviced by buses, which go into the CBD as well as other destinations in the Northern Beaches. The Manly ferry also operates from the Harbour and runs directly into the CBD (Circular Quay).
Hospitals and healthcare
This suburb is home to Manly Hospital which has an emergency and maternity unit. Nearby you’ll also find Bear Cottage Children’s Hospital. Alongside Manly Medical Centre and Raglan Street Medical Centre there are several GPs in the area as well as several pharmacies. You’ll also find services for physio, dental, dermatology, plastic surgery, optical, chiro, naturopathy and psychology.
Education and childcare
There are several schools in Manly including St Mary’s Catholic School, Royal Far West School, Manly Village Primary School, St Paul’s Catholic College and Farmhouse Montessori Primary. There are also pre-schools, schools for language and instrument tuition, and a number of childcare centres.
Shopping
A large collection of world-class shops line The Corso but throughout Manly you will find shops for a range of goods. There are boutiques, surf shops, wholefood stores, well known chain stores, and a Coles and Aldi for all your grocery needs. With an even larger selection of stores, Warringah Mall is close by in the suburb of Brookvale.
Sports and recreation
There’s no denying Manly’s natural beauty and there are plenty of ways to get amongst it and keep fit – go for a dip or surf, jog along the Pathway of Olympians, try out diving, sailing, kayaking or stand up paddle boarding, take advantage of the beach volleyball courts, or go for a hike up to the North Head bushlands.
Manly residents are big on health and fitness and as such there are other fitness options in the area including tennis, dance, gyms and yoga, among others. If sports just aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty to keep you busy including an art gallery, museum, and attractions such as Manly Sea Life Sanctuary. There are also plenty of shared green park areas to relax with family and friends.
Entertainment
When the sun goes down make your way to a number of stylish and unique bars in the area. Some of the more popular spots include Hemingway’s, 4 Pines Brewing Company, Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly Sailing Club, The Ivanhoe Hotel, Belgrave Cartel, Hugos or Old Manly Boatshed if you want to catch some live music.
Want more?
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