Manly - The Family Friendly Edition

Visiting Sydney on a family holiday, but looking for a destination where you can get away from the hustle and bustle for a while? We love family-friendly Manly, not only because it’s just a short ferry ride from the big city, but because there’s so much to do!
 
  1. Start off your family day in Manly with a ferry from Circular Quay. There’s nothing better than beating the traffic and going by boat!
  2. The next stop on your adventure is Manly Beach, which has been named the Best Beach in Australia for 2018. Take a stroll along the Corso to get your bearings, scope out the best spot to pitch your beach umbrella, and perhaps stop in at a cafe along the way. The Manly Pavillion Bistro offers panoramic views of the beach and the harbour, and is the perfect spot to soak up the sea air. You might also want to stock up on goodies from Cured - their pickles, meats and cheeses are the ultimate picnic food.
  3. If you didn’t get wet enough at the beach, head to Manly Surf n Slide, an outdoor water park that’ll keep the kids entertained for hours! You can watch them from the spectator deck or join them in the heated pools. Check out their website for season dates, as it’s not open all year round.
    Manly Surf n Slide
  4. If you need to get out of the sun for a bit head to Studio Make and get your craft on. Pick a plaster sculpture and paint to your hearts content!
    Studio Make - Image via Instagram @studomakemanly
  5. After all that painting, you might need to stretch your legs. Lucky Manly is the place for playgrounds! We love Little Manly Point Park, Manly Lagoon Reserve and North Steyne. You can even hire a bike to pedal between destinations and check out a few of the playgrounds on offer.
    Bike Riding along Manly Beach - Image Via Destination NSW
  6. Head off on a guided eco tour of the surrounding rockpools with Eco Treasures. They’ll provide the snorkels, you provide the sense of wonder!
    Manly Snorkel Tour
  7. Have a family of adrenaline junkies? Head to the Q Station on Manly’s North Head and explore the spot where migrants suspected of carrying contagious diseases were housed until 1984. Stick around for the night time ghost tour, where you can even sleep over… if you dare!
    Q Station
 
You’ll have one tired, but satisfied family if you manage to make it through all the activities on this list! Book your Sydney stay here.