It doesn't matter if you are a beach person, one thing that shouldn't be missed in Sydney are definitely the beautiful beaches. Continue reading as I hope to convince you why is it so. This post summarises my day trip to Watsons Bay and Manly Beach wherein I hope I could have spent more time at each place.
Transport
Hopping on a ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay or Manly Beach is the best thing you can ever do on a sunny Sunday. This saves you at least 10 dollars, enjoying the Sunday fare cap of AU$2.18. However, there is no public ferry connecting Watsons Bay and Manly Beach,. In other words, you need to pay additional AU$7.50 (i.e. on top of the Sunday fare cap) for the ferry service by private providers from Watsons Bay to Manly Beach or vice versa.
The ferry rides back to Circular Quay around sunset timings are extremely popular. If you are lucky enough (and with some precision on the timing), you can witness beautiful sunset on the ferry featuring the iconic Sydney Opera House.
On our way to Watsons Bay.
Return journey to Circular Quay. Was expecting a more vibrant sunset but we were happy for this!
The ferry rides back to Circular Quay around sunset timings are extremely popular. If you are lucky enough (and with some precision on the timing), you can witness beautiful sunset on the ferry featuring the iconic Sydney Opera House.
On our way to Watsons Bay.
Return journey to Circular Quay. Was expecting a more vibrant sunset but we were happy for this!
Attractions
Watsons Bay
Watsons Bay is one of my favourite places in Sydney. It is teeming with scenic view, fresh seafood and friendly people. Start your day with South Head Heritage trail. It's an easy trek that takes about 30-min round trip, but always factor in more time for photo stops (trust me, there are plentiful of them)!
The little hut that caught our attention during our walk to Hornby Lighthouse.
It made picture-perfect background.
The quintessential Hornsby lighthouse that stood out against the blue sky.
The 50 shades of blue.
The wind was crazy, as evidenced by my dress.
Manly Beach
We had a relaxing walk from Manly to Shelly Beach. The view was absolutely stunning. Whenever you feel tired, just take a break by sitting on one of the many benches and admiring the scenery. For those who love surfing, sunbathing or swimming, this place is an ultimate paradise during summertime.
Even though you saw a lot of people enjoying beach activities, the weather was actually quite cooling, with my noticeable jacket in the photo below.
Sunset at Manly Beach Wharf.
Food
Address: 11 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay (GPS address 3 Cliff St).
Opening hours: Timings vary. Please refer to the website.
The most expensive meal during our trip. Did I regret for it? Not entirely as I enjoyed the meal whilst it wasn't the most cost-effective option. Reservation can be made using Open Table app. As a general tip, ask for the first row outdoor table by the beach as you will be rewarded with the most photogenic view. I suggest to check out the menu first before adding it into your itinerary as you will be paying premium prices in exchange for the ambiance.
For budget travellers, head straight to Doyles on the Wharf Takeaway. You still get the freshly made fish and chips, probably at half price compared to those from the restaurant. The dining area can be a bit cramped and noisy but tackling your food in such environment is quite an experience not to be missed, in my opinion.
The taste of the fish and chips didn't justify the price premium we paid. Don't get me wrong, the fish was fresh and nicely fried, but a price tag of ~AU$45 was just too overwhelming!
Address: Ocean Promenade, North Steyne, Manly, Sydney, NSW, 2095
Opening hours: 7.30am to late daily
We stumbled across this beautiful little cafe with first-class view over Manly Beach while looking for a place to have some coffee. We heard that it's always crowded and making a reservation is highly encouraged, unless you come at odd timings like what we did. We were fortunate enough to get the highly sought after window seats, though we were told that we only had a maximum of 1.5 hours before the next batch of guests arrived.
As we were still full from lunch, we only ordered 2 drinks and garlic bread. Therefore, I couldn't provide a thorough review on the food. Nonetheless, whatever we ordered on that day was rather up to standard. Would love to try other items on the menu next time (if any)!
Just sit back, sip your coffee, relax and take in the relaxing Manly vibe.
Lastly, I hope you enjoy the post and the scenic views from Sydney! :)
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