Magnificent Manly For Australia Goers

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 96
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The best and easiest way to travel to Manly is to take the half-hourly ferry from Circular Quay. These large ferries with their wooden floors and comfortable seats are relaxing and scenic ? great photos of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge can be taken from the deck. The ferries can be very crowded and noisy on weekends with lots of families making the trip. Children love these icons of Sydney and find it exciting when the boats travel between the Heads ? the two cliffs that form the ''Gateway to Sydney'' ? because the waters can be quite turbulent here. It is not usually bad enough to cause seasickness, however.

The attractions of Manly include the harbor-side walk to the marina, swimming or sun-baking at the large beach, walking to Shelley Beach or visiting the famous Aquarium. Most visitors walk through the Art Deco shopping street to the beach first. Shaded by majestic Norfolk Pine Trees ?very tall trees with branches forming a pyramid shape ? the wide, sandy beach stretches in a crescent for miles. The beach can be crowded at weekends with people enjoying the swimming, surfing, or sun-baking. It is just ...
... as well to remember on a visit to Manly that sun-baking for even a short time without sun protection cream can be quite dangerous in Australia because of the risk of skin cancer.

The mile-long walk to tiny Shelley Beach is well-worth doing on any trip to Manly. The flat walk along the picturesque rocky shore-line now has the added interest of sculptures of some of Australia''s unique wildlife. Sometimes playful dolphins swim in the waters here, especially during September/ October. The walk goes past the large rock pools ? swimming pools actually built into the rocks at Fairy Bower ? and the popular and elegant Kiosk restaurant. While there it is a good idea to admire the view of the harbor and rocky cliffs from the lookout at the National Park above the beach. The steps are surrounded by flowers, such as oleanders and acacias, and native Australian gum trees and there are lots of walking trails through the park.

At the other side of Manly there is a well-paved, harbor-side walk along the gentle cliff. The walk goes past expensive houses with beautifully-cared for gardens and is perfect for photographers with its excellent views of the sweeping harbor. On a summer''s day the harbor is full of yachts with sails in lots of different colors.

Oceanworld Manly, near the harbor, to the left of the ferry terminal, is a great attraction for the kids. It features sharks, stingrays, ancient turtles and other interesting sea creatures.

After visiting Manly''s attractions it is a pleasure to eat a delicious fish or seafood meal at one of the many cafes before embarking on the ferry back to Circular Quay. Bonny Kominek wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide great deals on Sydney flights and other flights to Australia