Manly: beach vacation by the city

Manly, a suburb in the north of the city (on the other side of the harbour) is a lovely place to spend a day. It has a laid-back, almost holiday-town feel But it's only a 20-minute ferry ride from the CBD. The ferry ride itself is worth it just for the views of the harbour and the Bridge as you pull away from Circular Quay.
I wandered along the Corso, a lively pedestrian strip lined with little stalls, cafés, and shops. A good spot to browse without any real agenda. From there it's just a short walk down to the beach, which stretches out wide and golden with the Pacific rolling in. The afternoon wound down nicely with some time on a beanbag. A welcome change of pace after all the walking. A easy, relaxed day well spent.Read more