1. Manly Ferry
Taking the Manly Ferry is perhaps the best way to see the city, its harbor and the harbor bridge. Finding a seat near the front or the back of the ferry will net you the best views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The ferry ride lasts for approximately 30 minutes to Manly and about 15 minutes back to your starting point.
2. Sydney Harbour Cruise
If you head to Wharf no.6 on Circular Quay, you can find many ships offering cruises of the harbor. These cruises are often more organized than the ferry ride and offer a tour operator who will give you facts and tidbits about the city. The cruises do cost more but they also last longer so would be the choice if you like tours of this nature.
3. Ferry to Darling Harbor
Ferries to Darling Harbour travel under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and offer views of the city as well as the Opera House. Darling Harbour is home to the Sydney Aquarium, Monorail and Powerhouse Museum as well as restaurants, bars and shops. Darling Harbour also holds festivals during the year that you may be lucky enough to visit.
4. Walk to Shelly Beach from Manly Wharf
Shelly Beach offers chances to see the Manly Penguin and to look out over the sea from atop cliffs. You can do this walk on your own or take a guided tour for $28. The tour starts at 1030am daily and takes about two hours to complete. If you want to hear stories about Manly and its history the tour may be a better choice.
5. North Head
Many tourists head to North Head hoping to catch a glimpse of the migrating humpback whales. It’s best to do this on a calm day if you have any hopes of seeing the magnificent beasts. North Head is quite a hike from Manly so plan on taking a cab or bus if you haven’t rented a car for your holiday.
If you’re organized and plan your itinerary with some thought, you can do a few of these things in a day, giving yourself more time to visit other top spots in Sydney! There is so much to do in the city that it really is recommended that you either consult a guidebook or a travel agent when making your plans. You don’t want to come home and realize you missed something you would have loved to see!
