Just behind Oceanworld is the Manly Waterworks where kids (and adults) can enjoy giant slides during the summer months. Recreational activities include swimming, tennis, golf, beach volleyball, roller blading, scenic and historical walks, parasailing, scuba diving, fishing and enjoying the inner and outer harbour beaches and coves. Manly is the gateway to the scenic beauty of the northern beaches.

Conference facilities

Manly offers a perfect combination for business conference delegates, resort style locations with the benefit of being only 15 minutes away from Australia's biggest city commercial district, Sydney.

Quality conference facilities are offered by properties such as the Radisson Kestrel a personalised boutique hotel, the Manly Pacific, the largest of Manly's hotels, the Grande Esplanade Apartments, The International School of Tourism and Hotel Management located at the beautiful St Patrick College on Eastern Hill, The Australian Institute of Police Management and the unique historical Quarantine Station, both located in the North Head Sydney Harbour National Park area with spectacular views of the entrance to Sydney harbour.

Cultural and Historical

The Manly Art Gallery and Museum, one of the finest regional art galleries in NSW, entertains and informs visitors with a changing programme of exhibitions as well as an important permanent collection of paintings and pottery. A number of other Art, Antique and Potters Galleries provide exhibitions of a wide range of quality Australian work.

A modern library is located in the centre of Manly.

At nearby North Head you can take a journey through history at the intriguing Quarantine Station whilst enjoying spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. Daily tours can be pre booked, with the evening Ghost Tour a must.

The North Fort Artillery Museum, also at North Head, has a collection of guns used in the defence of Australia over the past 200 years. Tours of a subterranean network of tunnels allow visitors to experience life in a fortress system.

The Historical and Scenic walks provide an insight into the history of Manly and the surrounding spectacular coastal views and Aboriginal sites.

The Manly to Spit Bridge Walkway is one of the most scenic harbour walking tracks in the world. Encompassing panoramic views of the majestic Sydney Harbour, it contains native bushland which has changed little since the first fleet of British ships arrived in 1788.

The Manly Heritage and Eastern Hill Walks will guide you through the heart of Manly or Eastern Hill and its varied history.

Manly also provides internationally recognised English language Colleges which provide practical and enjoyable courses to thousands of students from around the world. The Australian College of English is one of the oldest and largest independent English language colleges in Australia.

The Waratah Education Centre is a cosmopolitan education centre also attracting students from many overseas countries offering a complete education package for students seeking an international education.

Most recently, The Sydney English Academy, has joined Manly. Known as SEA, this school is located minutes from the beach and town centre and provides a small friendly environment where you always receive the individual treatment you deserve.

The highly regarded International College of Tourism and Hotel Management, formerly the St Patricks Seminary, located within historical buildings surrounded by twenty hectares of native bushland and parks, Sydney's glorious harbour and Manly's famous beaches, offers a two year diploma programme in hotel management in consultation with Hotelconsult " Cesar Ritz " Switzerland.

Manly Wharf

In 1854 the 'founder' of Manly, Henry Gilbert Smith, built a 50ft pier from which the first regular Manly Ferry service began operating. One hundred and fifty years later Manly Wharf remains the focal point for harbour commuters and tourists alike. Manly Wharf, the historic gateway to Sydney's northern beaches, comprises a waterfront retail and entertainment complex situated over two levels and occupying a premier position which encompasses the Manly Ferry and Jetcat terminals.

Parasailing operates 7 days from Oct to May from the wharf all year round and boat and aquatic hire is available from October long weekend to Easter.

Recreational Activities

Aquatic sports abound in Manly - swimming, surfing, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing, boating and parasailing. Hiring a bike and using the cycleways is a great alternative for taking in the sights. The Manly East-West Cycleway provides cyclists, joggers and walkers with a pleasant way to exercise and enjoy the beautiful surroundings between where the Corso meets the oceanfront and the nearby suburb of Seaforth.

The Manly Swimming Centre is open 7 days per week and provides a heated pool. The Manly Swim Centre closes at the end of June and re-opens late August.

A large range of recreation and sporting gear is available for hire. Rollerblading is an extremely popular past time in Manly where there is easy access to kilometres of smooth skating and for those not yet acquainted with this sport, lessons are available. Golf and tennis facilities provide opportunities to meet people as well as improve your fitness level.

Numerous Parks and Reserves in Manly provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a variety of short walks or more extensive coastal and harbour foreshore walks.

The Manly to Spit Bridge walk is one of the most scenic harbour walking tracks in the world - almost 10km long and a fascinating 3 to 4 hour walk, at a steady pace.

The Heart of Manly Heritage Walk guides you through the history of Manly discovering Heritage plaques and identifying places of special interest.

The Manly Pathway of Olympians runs from West Esplanade to the Art gallery, (come out of the Wharf and turn left).  Commemorating Manly's sporting history.  Over 100 years of Manly residents who represented Australia in Olympic Games.  There are 80 plaques on the walk,  which is a living history and is added to after each games.

Restaurants

Over eighty restaurants offer varying ethnic cuisine's from around the world at prices to suit every budget. Many of the restaurants are in prime beach front or harbourside locations and offer a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. The choice of restaurants stretch from Shelly Beach through to the Corso, the metropolitan area and the Spit Bridge. Food Critics and patrons alike comment on the diversified range of quality restaurants in the Manly area.

Special Events

Manly hosts several major festivals throughout the year:

· The Manly Arts Festival. ( September)
· The Manly Food and Wine Festival ( the first weekend in June ).
· The Manly International Jazz Festival ( October Labour Day weekend - Australia's largest, longest-running community based jazz festival.)

Manly ocean beach is a spectacular setting for annual sporting events such as 'Ironman' competitions, Cycle Classics, surf lifesaving carnivals, as well as beach volleyball and swimming tournaments.