Get Wild in Manly: Your Guide to Australia’s Wildlife Encounters
From kangaroos and whales to goannas and sea turtles, Manly has a whole bunch of spots to check out Australia’s Wildlife.
Don’t fear if you’re not a Sydney local. Even if you are, Manly can seem like a whole other planet, but staying at Stoke Beach House has its perks. Guests get epic deals and discounts from legendary local Manly businesses. Everything from car rentals (hello, a day trip to Pla Beach) to the coolest local bars. Are you intrigued to find out more? Check out our Stoke Card Here or visit our Insta.
While Stoke Beach House is the greatest place on Earth, it’s ok to admit that some sick activities exist in the outside world.
Drop by Little Shop of Waffles for a sweet treat or two. They make the most insane bubble waffles and ice cream desserts, perfect for an afternoon treat or a post-dinner dessert with that hot babe you’ve seen around the Beach House.
If breakfast is on your mind, try Fika Swedish Kitchen. There, you’ll find some delicacies as well as Aussie classics. Our pick is the Salmon lover toast! Smashed avo is out; this bad boy will keep you coming back for more.
Make sure to stop by Rollers for some incredible croissant creations, fresh from the oven every morning, from the classic choccie croissant to the out-there jalapeno cream and eggplant or rosewater and pistachio baklava. They are famous in Manly, so be prepared to wait in line, but it’s oh-so worth it.
For dinner, try out Chica Bonita for some tasty Mexican food or Sunset Sabi for modern Japanese. Our pick is the Cali Fries at Chica!
Try InSitu Bar for some signature cocktails and Italian food. It is one of the best bars in Manly, and it is loved by locals with live music on the weekends. The crowd fave for decades is the Apple Crumble cocktail! The perfect place to hit up is to follow the Beach House happy hour.
Next up, Donny’s Bar is a New York-style loft with killer drinks and an upstairs Californian Kitchen. Try a Donny’s draught beer or some locally brewed goods. Our pick is the $12 Steak Night every Tuesday! Did we mention live music on the weekends?!
One of the best walks in Sydney is the Queenscliff to Shelly Beach walk. Almost completely flat, on the paved edge of Manly Beach, anyone can do it. If you’re limited on time, we recommend starting at Manly Surf Club instead of Queenscliff. Still magical, and you might spot a seal or two on the rocks. Better yet, take out one of the Stoke Beach Cruisers and feel that sea breeze in your hair.
Look for more than a flat stroll along the beach?! Lace-up those sneakers and complete the North Head loop. This 10km loop takes around 2.5 hours to complete and takes you past some hidden gems. You’ll look out over the City, head over sandstone cliffs, and go through the old army barracks and quarantine station. With a few incredible spots to swim along the way!
If you’d like a truly local experience, head in the opposite direction to Manly and follow the coastal beach walk all the way to Dee Why beach. If you’re really keen, or some might say crazy, you can walk all the way to Palm Beach.
Hop on the Manly Ferry and head across to Circular Quay. From there, you can head to the Opera House, walk over the Harbour Bridge and head into the City to check out our museums and art galleries. The ferries run every half an hour and are very easy. If you’re often seasick, maybe don’t try this on a windy day!
Or head to Manly Car Rentals and hire out a car or van for the week and do some exploring on your own.
Sydney is wildly fussy when it comes to coffee, but we do a pretty good job making it. A good option is Barrel One Coffee Roasters, who serve a damn good cup of joe in a super laid-back sunny cafe. Or try Silo Espresso, which is a fave among busy commuters.
Try out your surfing skills at Manly Surf School. They run a discounted class for Stoke Guests for anyone from beginners to pros. Enquire about our Surf Camp package, which includes daily surf classes and accommodation at Stoke Beach House.
Sydney is pretty depressing compared to other big cities in the world when it comes to nightlife, but there are a few pumping venues around until the early hours. Check out Donny’s Bar or Wharf Bar. Otherwise, venture into the city and try Frankies Pizza, featuring heavy metal bands and slices of pizza until 3:30am every day! A Sydney institution.
From kangaroos and whales to goannas and sea turtles, Manly has a whole bunch of spots to check out Australia’s Wildlife.
Sydney is full of epic attractions and sites you just can’t miss. We recommend checking out some of these epic spots.
Our Stoke-approved list of the best bars in Manly so that when you find yourself craving a beer after a long day on the water.