Lying just a ferry-ride away, on the north shore of Sydney's harbour, Manly will soon have you surfing and swimming – or just watching others getting all-manly.
Manly. An odd-name for a beach you might think. But then again, you weren't there in 1788 when Captain Philips was greeted by the fine upstanding men of the Cannalgal people and declared their manner as most 'manly'. And so a fitting name for the place was born. What Manly Beach most certainly has now is a haven for beach-lovers, one just “seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care.” A place to swim, surf, bike, and walk – or just let the sun soak in. Australia's beach culture actually started here on Manly, a diamond-shaped peninsula guarding Sydney's long harbour from the Pacific. Body-surfing began in these surf-tossed waters (somewhat remarkably) in the 1890s, and in 1902 it became the first town to permit 'surf bathing'. The surfboard followed soon afterwards, in 1910, and in 1964 Manly sealed its reputation as the 'Birthplace of Australian Surfing' by hosting the first World Surfing Championship. You can start-out on your own surfing adventure here, too. It's simple enough to hire a board, get in some surfing-101 and then to hit the waves. The area is well-patrolled by local surf life-saving clubs, and you can always count on a helping hand from your fellow 'bros' of the Manly surf-scene. But it's not only such 'manly' pursuits to be had here. If you want a quiet sunbathe, or a paddle in the rock pools, try Manly Cove, which is nicely sheltered from the ocean's waves (and winds).Or try the beach-front of Manly town. The streets close to the beach are home to some intriguing art studios, galleries, and craft shops, as well as the Manly Art Gallery and Museum. This houses a wonderful collection of locally-made ceramics. And the town's restaurants have made the best of the gastronomic opportunities afforded by the freshly-caught local fish – adding a contemporary twist of their own, for a truly-manly 'mod-Oz' cuisine experience. And top it off with a climb up the North Head, from whose sandstone cliffs you get a hard-to-beat view back to Sydney, and those long-forgotten cares.
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