Newcomer's Guide to Sydney Neighborhood Manly

If you're looking for the quintessential Aussie experience – i.e. surf, sun and beer – Manly is the perfect place to set up camp. Located about 20 minutes north of the bridge, Manly can be a little bit tricky to get to, but once you're there you'll probably never want to leave.

The People of Manly

Manly is a popular tourist spot, and therefore you're likely to encounter a number of different nationalities and languages. Meanwhile, the locals are mainly made up of a mix of locals and people from England, New Zealand, USA, South Africa and Brazil.

Due to the price of rent in Manly (not cheap!) most of the residents tend to be high income earners in professional occupations.

Like its cousin Bondi, Manly is a place where the locals tend to be fit and fashionable. You're likely to see a lot of attractive surfers, swimmers and joggers at Manly Beach. But as much as they love staying healthy, the people of Manly also enjoy letting loose at the end of the week – as evidenced by the many pubs that stay open until late.

Housing Options and Prices in Manly

As mentioned, Manly is not a cheap place to live. The average renter forks out around $530 per week to live here – so if you're on a budget, you might want to look further afield.

Most of the rental options in Manly are apartments. The rent may be steep, but the good news at least is that most of them have been recently renovated, with modern facilities and additional extras such as pools and gyms. Apartments range from studios through to larger apartments and penthouses. And of course, you can expect to pay more for a view!

Getting There

Ferry
In addition to being an efficient way to travel to and from Manly, the ferry is also very scenic. Regular services run from Manly to Circular Quay (and surrounding areas) day and night, and the trip takes around 30 minutes.

Water Taxi
It's also possible to hire a water taxi to take you from Manly to the city. But please note that this is probably the most expensive method of commuting!

Car
To get to Manly from the city, you'll need to take the Harbour Bridge north and then follow the signs. (Depending on traffic, the trip will take you around 40 minutes). Parking in Manly can be tricky and expensive – it isn't ideal to own a car in this suburb unless you also have your own garage.

Bus
Regular bus services connect Manly with the city, as well as with the Northern Beaches, St Leonards and Epping. Visit TransportNSW for details.

Taxi
It's possible to get a cab from the city to Manly, however this can be an expensive option, especially during peak hour. Also be aware that it can be hard to get a cab out of Manly on Friday and Saturday nights, as you're competing with revellers from the pubs.

Things to Do in Manly

Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary
If you've got kids, this is a must. Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary provides an opportunity to see live sharks, stingrays and more.

Newport Arms Hotel
This is one of the most famous Sydney hotels – offering great views and a relaxed atmosphere. There's no better way to enjoy a hot summer's day than to drink a cold beer in the waterfront beer garden of this hotel.

Beaches
Sydney's weather is famously sunny and warm – i.e. perfect beach weather. Surfing lessons are regularly held at Manly Beach, and it's also a great place to enjoy a picnic.

Manly Art Gallery and Museum
Located only a short walk away from Manly Wharf, the Manly Art Gallery and Museum will provide you with a decent hit of art and culture. A great weekend activity.

About the Author: Louise Carter is a blogger, copywriter and poet who is also currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Western Sydney.

What Are You Taking to Sydney When You Move? Do You Know Yet?

The truth is you don’t need to know right now, for sure, what’s going with you.

But you do have to get a shipping quote ASAP, especially now.

Why? Because international moving companies need to schedule your move to Australia far in advance, some ask for 6 months in advance. Yes, COVID has changed everything, including international shipping.

When filling out the form below…

  1. You don’t need a street address for where you’re moving to, only the city and country. What they really want to know is the main shipping port.
  2. Moving date is an estimate. You don’t need exact dates right now. Go with your best guess.
  3. Estimate volume is an estimate. Don’t bother with calculating your volume. Use one of the estimates below for your estimated volume.
    • Studio or 1 Bedroom —> 20 m3
    • 2 Bedroom —> 25 m3
    • 3 Bedroom —> 30 m3
    • 4 Bedroom or 3 Bedroom + Car —> 50 m3
  4. Use your “real” contact details for BOTH phone and email. Yes, the form is secure. If you don’t use your real contact details, then they can’t get in touch with you for your quote. Makes sense, right?