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Manly: beach chic
by Chelsea Siler
Manly: This Northern Beach suburb of Sydney epitomizes beach chic
The journey to Manly begins with a bang at Circular Quay, in plain view of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Choose an exterior bench for prime views and photo opportunities. Now I won’t lie, there is nothing “beach” or “chic” about the ferry itself, but the journey does make up for the upholstery. The 30-minute ride goes directly through the Sydney Harbour, dotted with sailboats and bustling with activity. Arriving at Manly Wharf, you will step off the ferry into another world. Etched into the side of the wall just outside the wharf is Manly’s motto “Seven Miles from Sydney, A Thousand Miles From Care.” It is a subtle reminder that life here is easy-going, laid S back and nothing short of enjoyable. If you are peckish on arrival, a handful of restaurants and shops are located right at the wharf, including the world famous Max Brenner, if a gourmet hot chocolate takes your fancy.
One of Australia’s most fascinating tourist stops, Q Station is located in the heart of Manly and gives you a chance to learn a bit about its history. This Quarantine Station was used to hold incoming passengers from the 1830s to 1984 (yes, only just over 20 years ago) to protect residents from potential disease. These relics were not built to last and the folks at Q Station (North Head Scenic Drive) have done a remarkable job maintaining what they can. They offer a handful of different tours of the property, depending on how much time you have and who is in your group. You can take the kids and Grandma on the “40 Days” tour, or opt for an adults-only evening dubbed the “Ghost Tour.” Having done my fair share of educational snooze-fests around the world, Q Station is refreshing, entertaining and indeed enjoyable. Make sure you bring some sturdy footwear however, as they will not let you tour in thongs.
Manly Beach is one of Sydney’s finest stretches of sand. It has a beautiful treeshaded walkway running the entire length of the beach, offering a great place for a jog, a stroll, or a bike ride. If you have worked up an appetite, order some freshly grilled fish and chips from the Manly Fish Market (25 South Steyne), a popular haunt for locals. Claim a beachfront picnic table, sit back and watch the surf. Continue on and a short walk past the south end of the beach takes you to Shelly Beach, a secluded and quiet alternative, as well as a great place to snorkel. As for shopping - the Corso is a convenient link between the harbor and beach, and it has some great shops for souvenirs and knick-knacks. The bigger brand surf shops here definitely serve their purpose, but I encourage you to explore. One of the more unique surf shops for example is called Heritage Surf (24 Darley Road). The best word to describe Heritage is authentic. They epitomize true Australian surf culture, stocking not just the real surf gear, but also have an impressive range of surf-related gifts that are truly unique - from photo frames to clothing hooks to amazing surf photography. It must not be missed.
Manly is also well acquainted with designer fashion. Surreal Boutique (9 Central Ave) will satisfy your craving for designer dresses, jeans and accessories, stocking international labels as well as some truly beautiful pieces from Australian designers. The best part is the staff are smart, friendly and honest - exactly what you need when shopping solo. Home & Wardrobe on Sydney Road is another little highlight, it stocks uber-trendy pieces that will not harm the budget too badly. Look for loud accessories, scarves and funky vests. You also have to make a point to stop at Nordic Fusion (2 Wentworth St). It stocks some incredible products, all of which are unique Scandinavian designs, from vases and iPod docks to bags, fabric and journals.When the chic Manly locals go out for a nice meal, they go to Garfish (39 East Esplanade). It offers delicious, high quality, fresh fish at a reasonable price. While most restaurants buy their fish from a wholesaler, Garfish goes straight to the market. Having eliminated the middle man, your fish arrives an entire day earlier. They also offer lesserknown fish varieties if it happens to be the best selection that day. You can design your own meal – you pick your fish, the cooking method and garnish from the daily blackboard, or go with one of their flavoursome dishes on the menu. The views are beautiful, the food is magnificent, and the atmosphere - unpretentious.
After you have had your fill, you are just steps from where you started at the Wharf - another 30 minutes back to reality. You might not want to leave Manly but remember - when a city as magnificent as Sydney is your ‘reality,’ you are living the good life, and you’re just a ferry ride away from the beach chic life in Manly.