Manly: Beach, Coastal Walks and Art

Discover Manly through its coastline, various walking routes and an art museum. The long sandy beach, Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve and walks of varying lengths each offer something different. When planning, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the beach scenery, a walk or culture as well.

Manly Beach and the Cabbage Tree Bay Coast

The two-kilometre-long Manly Beach is lined with Norfolk pines and stretches from South Steyne through North Steyne to Queenscliff. Its surf is also part of what makes it distinctive: a submerged reef, known as a bombora, creates waves that are popular with top surfers. The sandy beach and the surf scene give this beach two distinct facets. If you want to swim, it is recommended that you stay between the red and yellow flags, which mark the area monitored by lifeguards. Check the latest beach notices before swimming.

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve offers another way to experience the coastline. The protected area covers around 20 hectares and includes rocky shores as well as beaches: it extends from the southern end of Manly Beach to the northern end of Shelly Beach. Its approximate area and stated boundaries show that it encompasses more than just the sandy beach, including the stretches of coast in between. The distinction is useful for finding your way around: Manly Beach refers to the long beach, while the Aquatic Reserve covers a larger area that includes rocky shores and beaches.

Beach Sections and Walks

North Steyne is the middle section of Manly Beach. It has volleyball nets, a surfboard rental service, cafés and other facilities. If you are interested in these offerings, North Steyne is the beach section where you will find them. Facilities and rentals may change, so check in advance what is currently available.

For a walk that offers insights into Cabbage Tree Bay, the Shelly Beach Walk has a distinctive focus: it starts at Manly Surf Club and passes sculptures that tell the story of marine life, animals and the history of the bay. The Cabbage Tree Bay Coastal Walk, by contrast, is described as a two-kilometre route along the beach and is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. Check local notices for temporary access changes.

Another option is the Manly Scenic Walkway. The ten-kilometre route leads from Manly to Spit Bridge and offers views of the harbour entrance. The distances help you choose an option based on how far you want to walk: the Cabbage Tree Bay Coastal Walk is two kilometres long, and the Manly Scenic Walkway is ten kilometres long. The stated distances therefore differ considerably; the Scenic Walkway also offers views of the harbour entrance, an explicitly mentioned feature. Check current local notices before setting out.

Culture at Manly Cove

Manly Art Gallery & Museum complements the coastal themes with culture. It presents cultural programs and extensive collections of Australian visual art and beach ephemera; the museum is located at Manly Cove. The art collections and beach ephemera offer distinct areas of interest. For your travel plans, this adds another focus alongside beaches and walks: you can also get to know Manly through its cultural offerings. Together, the beach, coastal walks and museum show how varied a stay can be, without any single experience needing to define the entire visit.

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