The Purple Penguin

Going to Manly Beach – there be dragons!

So Sunday we went over to Manly via the ferry, to save walking we got the train up to Circular Quay, where the ferries leave from. So we’ll get a coffee while we wait for the train – no, there’s one in one minute; ok we’ll get a coffee while we wait for the ferry, oh one’s just about to leave; we’ll get one on board, nope the cafe was shut for refurbishment. So arrive in Manly minus breakfast and coffee. 

Followed the stream of people out of the Manly ferry terminal to the beach, saw a little market on the way and ducked into a side street to get coffee and breakfast before getting to the beach. Finally breakfast! (K: and more importantly, coffee.) 

We then walked along Manly Beach to Shelley Beach which would lead us up to the headland and then around back to town. The walk along the beaches was quite easy and we managed to see a few birds, and crabs and some water dragons (a type of lizard, protected). Then we started to climb up and into the trees and bushes, following a well kept path to the headland and lookouts. Took quite a while before we got to the signs pointing the way and though several types of terrain, from rocky coastline and cliff top to tree heathland and sandy scrub to ferns and sand. 

We found the sign and it led to us an old army barracks along a metal boardwalk. We couldn’t work out if it was old decommissioned barracks or still in use. It seemed quite empty, but then again could just be the time of day! We got several views of the coast and of Sydney. At the visitors centre we were informed that at the cafe a bus came about once an hour back down to Manly, so we decided to take that back to the ferry terminal. As the next bus was in about 30 minutes we decided we had time for a cold drink; however, it was very busy, so once again we did the ‘we will’ game, ending back at Circular Quay where we finally got our drink along with a crepe. 

As I hadn’t been around much of Sydney (just to work and back) we walked back up Macquarie Street along the Botanic Gardens, Parliament building, The Mint, and Hyde Park Barracks. Then went into Hyde Park and saw the fountains and Anzac Memorial. Also saw several other really nice buildings, including Mark Foy which looks like a huge old department store. Back to the hotel and a well earned rest!