Manly Beach & Bondi Beach

Manly Beach

Manly Beach is probably the most famous and popular north Sydneyurban beach, on the same level as Copacabana Beach in south Rio de Janeiro. A Manly Beach vacation is enjoyed by more tourists than any other beach in the country, except perhaps Bondi Beach, which is just across Watsons Bay and located right in the city. Because of its proximity to the city, things to do at Manly Beach include kayaking and sailing excursions that begin or end under the graceful Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you are not up for this kind of exertion, it’s possible to simply lie on the long stretch of sand and view these iconic landmarks without lifting a finger.

The many other things to do at Manly Beach include visiting some world-famous attractions, such as Oceanworld where it is possible to enjoy scuba diving alongside huge gray nurse sharks, giant stingrays, endangered sea turtles, and moray eels, in addition to a plethora of other colorful marine life. You can get a taste of Manly Beach and Sydney’s history at “Q Station,” the Quarantine Station that for 140 years imprisoned indigenous Aboriginal people who contracted diseases like smallpox from the passengers on ships arriving from Europe. Later, passengers on these ships were also quarantined here as part of the island nation’s attempts to prevent alien flora, fauna, and diseases from ravaging Australia.

There is Manly Beach accommodation of all standards to fit all budgets, just as there is in the city itself. There are fine international Sydney hotels like the four-star Novotel with its deluxe rooms and suites, and the Manly Backbackers, one of the several popular Sydney hostels. There are budget motels, exclusive and and charming bed and breakfast inns, and excellent beach rentals. Another Manly Beach accommodation that is popular on just about all the beaches in the country is the self-catering apartment. You can find apartment rentals with one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with full kitchens and many of the facilities of fine beach resorts.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach Australia is located along the shores of Sydney, Australia. One of the more famous and popular beaches in Australia, Bondi offers an array of fun activities, suitable for every budget and every age. From the ancient days of Aboriginal fishing, people have been flocking to Bondi Beach Australia for its warm waters and clean, sandy beaches. Transportation to the beach is convenient and frequent, and tourists will find this to be an excellent beach in Australia.

Bondi Beach is a great beach in Australia to bring a family, or relax as an adult. Surf schools in the area offer lessons, as well as equipment rental, and beginners are always welcome. Bondi Beach Australia is also one of the best places for scuba diving. The Bondi Wall is part of a series of steep cliff walls, which run along one of the best spots for scuba diving in Australia, and one of the best beaches in Australia. Check with local scuba shops and scuba schools for specific directions to Bondi Wall, as well as tide information.

While Bondi Beach is most lively during the summer, the town of Bondi Beach can be quite fun year round. In addition to having one of the nicest beaches in Australia, the town of Bondi has a lot to offer. The Bondi Beach Market is held every Sunday, year round, at the town's public school grounds. This is a great place to pick up some local art, food, or clothing. Another nice local market is the Bondi Junction Market, also open on Sundays, and located in the Bondi Mall. There are a number of small boutiques and shops located along the beach front, as well as in the town of Bondi Beach itself.

When dining, Bondi Beach offers plenty of café and restaurant options throughout the day. Campbell Parade is a main strip of shops and restaurants in the town, and visitors will find everything from a quick bite, to sit down dining options. When in Bondi Beach, and generally throughout most of Australia, tourists will often see "BYO" on the side of a restaurant, or on the restaurant's menu. This means Bring Your Own Alcohol, and generally most patrons do. Some restaurants charge a very moderate corkage fee, but this is not the norm.

Traveling to Bondi Beach is generally very convenient from any central location in Sydney. Buses travel from Bondi Junction in Sydney right to Bondi Beach Australia just about every ten minutes, until around midnight. Since parking at the beach itself is quite crowded and difficult, the bus is actually the main mode of transport for tourists and locals alike. You will experience much less hassle if you leave your car behind. There are also trains running from Bondi Junction to the beach about every ten minutes, so you'll be sure to have a convenient lift to Bondi.

As an extremely popular beach in Australia, Bondi Beach is a great place to visit if you plan to spend any amount of time in Sydney. Be sure to bring plenty of sun block along as the sun can be quite intense in all temperatures. Bondi Beach Australia offers a fun, warm way to kick back and enjoy a day at the beach.