Manly Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

The most iconic way to reach Manly is via the scenic ferry service from Circular Quay in Sydney's CBD, a journey that takes approximately 30 minutes and offers spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Regular bus services connect Manly to Sydney's northern suburbs, with routes from key transport hubs like Chatswood taking around 45 minutes. If driving, several parking options exist near the wharf and throughout Manly, though spaces fill quickly during summer weekends. For international visitors, Sydney Airport is about 17km away, with train and ferry connections making the transfer straightforward.

Nestled on a picturesque peninsula just a short ferry ride from Sydney's CBD, Manly blends laid-back beach culture with cosmopolitan charm. This beloved coastal enclave offers visitors pristine beaches on both harbor and ocean sides, creating a unique maritime playground. As one of Sydney's most iconic ferry destinations, Manly delivers the quintessential Australian coastal experience with its palm-lined promenade, thriving café scene, and relaxed atmosphere.

Manly shines brightest during Sydney's summer months (December to February) when temperatures average 25°C, perfect for swimming and beach activities, though this period also brings larger crowds. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer mild temperatures around 20°C with fewer tourists, making these shoulder seasons ideal for exploring comfortably. Winter (June to August) brings cooler temperatures around 17°C but clear, sunny days perfect for coastal walks and whale watching. Ferry services run year-round with more frequent departures during summer and weekends, while the annual Manly Food and Wine Festival in June provides a taste of local culture regardless of season.

From Manly Wharf, the historic Q Station at North Head is just a short ferry hop away, offering fascinating insights into Australia's quarantine history alongside stunning harbor views. Nature enthusiasts can take a 20-minute ferry to Sydney's hidden gem, Store Beach, accessible only by water and home to a protected penguin colony. For a day trip, the 45-minute ferry journey to Watson's Bay rewards visitors with Australia's oldest lighthouse and the famous Doyle's seafood restaurant. The scenic route to Taronga Zoo via ferry provides not only world-class wildlife encounters but also some of the most photographed views of Sydney Harbour along the way.

Stroll along the iconic Manly Corso, a vibrant pedestrian mall connecting the harbor to the ocean beach, lined with boutiques, surf shops, and eateries. Water enthusiasts can learn to surf at Manly Beach where the world's first surfing championship was held in 1964, or explore the protected marine reserve at Cabbage Tree Bay through snorkeling or diving. For spectacular views, take the North Head Sanctuary walk through native bushland to historic military fortifications and panoramic lookouts over the harbor entrance. Manly's dining scene offers everything from casual beachfront cafés serving fresh açai bowls to upscale restaurants specializing in locally-caught seafood, particularly along the East Esplanade known to locals as 'The Office'.

The suburb's name originated in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip described the indigenous people living there as having 'manly confidence', a description that later became the area's official name. Manly Beach featured the world's first surfboard riding championship in 1964, cementing Australia's place in global surf culture. The Manly ferry service has been operating continuously since 1855, making it one of the oldest commuter ferry routes still in operation. Hidden beneath Manly's streets lies a network of military tunnels constructed during World War II as part of Sydney's harbor defenses, some sections of which can be toured today.