Manly Beach

Last weekend Dana and I ferried ourselves over to Manly Beach, walked through town to the ocean side, around Cabbage Tree Bay to Shelly Beach. If you're planning a trip to Australia, this stop is a must. The 30 minute ferry ride from Circular Quay gives you fantastic views of Sydney Harbour and back towards the city. The boat delivers you to Manly Cove where you can rent a kayak or small boat. There's also a beautiful walk through the national park if you head north. Around here is where Governor Arthur Phillip was speared through the shoulder after a misunderstanding with the Willemering people. Phillip, who had named the place after the "manly people" who lived there, ordered his men not to retaliate. This probably prevented him from getting another spear.

Manly itself is a nice town with some tasty restaurants and interesting shops. Walking down the main strip lands you on the massive beach on the Tasman. To the right is Fairy Bower and Cabbage Tree Bay. I didn't see any cabbage trees, but snorkeling from Shelly Beach I did see numerous gropers, heaps of other fish and a snail bigger than my head. A most relaxing day.

Manly pictures.