Manly was visited and named by Captain Arthur Phillip at the same time as Sydney, between 21st and 23rd January, 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip was impressed with the confident and manly behaviour of the Aboriginal people of the Cannalgal and Kayimai clans who waded out to his boat in North Harbour when he was exploring Port Jackson in January 1788. He gave the name Manly Cove to the place where they first met but its exact location is uncertain.

Manly remained isolated for many years. It was a long journey of 70 miles by road from Sydney - through Parramatta, Hunter's Hill, Lane Cove and Narrabeen. The other route involved crossing the water by punts at North Sydney and The Spit.

There was a very small population which was able to eke out a living from fishing or farming when Henry Gilbert Smith, the founder of the village, arrived in 1853

In June 1855, Henry Gilbert Smith wrote to his brother in England "the amusement I derive in making my improvements in Manly is, no doubt, the cause of my greater enjoyment, in fact I never feel a dull day while there. I should long ere this have been with you if it had not been for this hobby of mine, in thinking I am doing good in forming a village or watering place for the inhabitant of Sydney".

Manly is a fantastic beach suburb on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Manly has two sides - the harbour side and the fabulous beach. The best way to get to Manly is on the ferry from Circular Quay by the Opera House. The Corso links the harbour to the seaside, which is home to beach volleyball, surf competitions, the international jazz festival, the food and wine festival and loads more.

Manly is packed with bars, cafes, excellent restaurants, a few nightclubs and lots of hotels, backpackers and B&B's. Please see our accommodation page for a listing of hotel, bed and breakfast and backpacker accommodation within the Manly area for planning your next visit.
SWIM IN SAFETY!
Five commonsense rules to help you:

1 Only swim or surf at beaches patrolled by Lifeguards or Lifesavers.

2 Only swim between the red and yellow flags which always indicate the safe swimming areas.

3 Always look for advisory signs before you go in the water - and take notice of them.

4 Do not swim directly after consuming alcoholic drinks or eating food.

5 Raise one arm straight up in the air if you are in trouble - and float until help arrives

Along the North Coast you'll come across Manly a wonderful 'holiday' resort, in the true sense of the word with all the cheesiness that comes along with it. The Corso is a pedestrian mall which leads to the beach. Steyne Road runs North and South along the coast. There is also a footpath that makes a really nice walk from South Steyne, around the headland to Fairy Bower Beach and Shelly Beach Cove.

On West Esplanade on the shore, are the Manly Art Gallery and Museum and Oceanworld. The art gallery is open from 10.00am - 5.00pm, focusing its displays on the beach itself. Oceanworld offers a seal show, sharks and sting rays which are fed in the tank by divers at 11.30am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It is open at 10.00am closing at 5.30pm. .