Travelling to the best beaches in Sydney
The Manly ferry
The best way to travel to Manly is by ferry.
The Manly Ferry leaves Circular Quay every 30 minutes and takes half an hour to get to Manly. The ferry is also one of the best and cheapest ways to see Sydney Harbour - so you’re killing two birds with one stone. A fast ferry also travels the same route which will cost you a bit more and slice about 10 minutes off your travelling time. Fast ferries also leave from Barangaroo.
The banana bus
If you want to travel further up the peninsula than Manly, then catch the yellow double-decker bus. It leaves outside Wynyard Railway Station every 5-10 minutes, is numbered B1 and the destination on the front of the bus is Mona Vale - the last stop on the limited-stop service. You can't miss the banana bus. It's the only bright yellow bus in Sydney and it travels along just one route, so you can't get lost, either. Once the bus crosses over The Spit into the northern beaches, it stops at Manly Vale, Warringah Mall (Brookvale), Dee Why, Collaroy, Narrabeen, Warriewood, and Mona Vale. You can transfer to other bus routes from any of these stops by using the Sydney Buses Trip Planner. The Collaroy bus stop lets you out right on the beach.
Drive
If your destination is not on the public transport route, then you’re best to drive. From the inner city or eastern suburbs, travel across the Sydney Harbour Bridge or through the Sydney Harbour tunnel. At the other side take the Manly exit and travel along Military Road, following the signs for Manly and Dee Why. If travelling to lower peninsula locations, stay on Condamine St/Pittwater Rd after The Spit. If you're travelling to areas north of Narrabeen, turn left into Sydney Rd after you've crossed The Spit and follow the road to the Wakehurst Parkway.
If you're coming from the western suburbs, drive along Mona Vale Rd. Turn off at the Belrose Super Centre into Forestway if travelling to the lower northern beaches.