Have some holiday fun this summer with our ultimate activity guide
Ditch the devices and head into the great outdoors with the children.
Cool by the pool
Take a dip at one of the council’s swimming pools. The Warringah Aquatic Centre at Frenchs Forest is holding January carnival preparation clinics for children, providing information on stroke techniques, turns, finishes and rules. Plus there are holiday springboard diving clinics available too.
Australia Day pool parties will be held on 26 January at both the Manly Boy Charlton pool, and the Warringah Aquatic Centre. With free entry for children, the parties will feature a large pool inflatable and lots of fun activities in each location.
See the council website for the Australia Day party times, clinic costs and bookings.
Get snorkelling
Take a trip to Shelly Beach in Manly where you can enjoy a dip in the ocean, some fun on the sand, and for the more adventurous, hit the water for some snorkelling. Shelly Beach forms part of the protected marine reserve Cabbage Tree Bay, so it’s a great spot to catch sight of underwater creatures. There are even barbecues available at Shelly Beach for those looking to take a picnic.
If you’re keen to stay dry, you can take the children on a walk from Shelly Beach and along the Manly Promenade, stop for an ice cream, and keep going along the waterfront all the way to Queenscliff Surf Club.
Learn to surf
Tackle a new family activity and learn to surf this summer. Manly Surf School offers holiday classes for children of all levels, abilities and fitness. They provide the surfboard and wetsuit, so all you need to do is to book and turn up! There are adult group lessons available for those aged over 12, which teach the skills of surfing and how to handle the board in the ocean. Classes are offered at both Manly and Long Reef beaches.
For more information, visit manlysurfschool.com
Ferry to the city
On a sparkling summer’s day there’s no better way to take in the sights of Sydney Harbour than by ferry. Ferries operate seven days a week, and leave from Manly Wharf. Take a trip to Circular Quay in the city and you’ll pass by the Prime Minister’s official residence, Kirribilli House, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. From there you can take in the sights of Circular Quay and take a step back in time to enjoy the history of The Rocks. Or take a calming walk through Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, which covers 30 hectares and is the oldest scientific institution in Australia – home to a huge collection of plants.
For ferry timetables, visit transportnsw.info
Visit the Q Station
The Q Station, located on North Head in Manly is full of history and has plenty of places to walk around, native wildlife to see and Quarantine beach to enjoy. As it’s in the Sydney Harbour National Park, vehicle access is limited to protect the native wildlife. So leave your car at the reception entrance and take a complimentary shuttle bus into the site where you can see interesting buildings which once served as the Quarantine Station for migrants arriving in Australia. For more information, visit qstation.com.au