Fact Sheets & Video - Manly

Layne Beachley has been women's World Surfing Champion six times running, making her Australia's most successful surfer ever. Layne's office is the glorious Manly Beach in Sydney, and that just happens to be Tom's backyard too.

Manly got its name from Governor Phillip, in the days of the first fleet. Phillip was stuck by the local Aborigines' manly appearance, and the name stuck.

Manly is the first of Sydney's Northern Beaches and is about a mile long. The northernmost end is called Queenscliff, the centre is North Steyne, and the southern corner is known as South Steyne.

Manly has produced four world surfing champions; Barton Lynch, Pam Burridge, Layne Beachley and Stuart Entwistle. The best surf appears with the arrival of the offshore winds between April and October. Manly is very protected from the south, so when a southerly storm arrives it's one of the few spots in Sydney with a decent wave. Layne claims the Fairy Bower is where you'll find the best break in town, because it has a great deep water channel with every size wave from two to 12 feet.

As well as great surf, Manly has plenty of cafs, restaurants and bars, so you can enjoy everything from a good breakfast to a nice cold beer. The Bower is renowned for serving a mean breakfast, but it's best eaten after surfing.

At Manly Blades you can hire roller blades or skate boards and head out onto the new cycling path for a good look along the beachfront. For that cold beer you could head over to the Wharf Hotel, located right on the harbour side of Manly.

If you enjoy walking, there are some great walks to help you explore the area, such as the Manly to Spit Bridge walk. It's about 10 kilometres, which would take you roughly three hours to walk.

Alternatively, try the Manly Eastern Hill Heritage walk, which starts at the East Esplanade and will also take you about three hours to get to Shelly Beach. The walk takes in some of the architecture of the Manly area as well as Little Manly Beach, Spring Cove and Collins Beach.

For a shorter stroll, try Manly to Shelly Beach or Manly's heritage walk, which should only take 15 minutes and is suitable for people of all ages and abilities.

Layne Beachley has set up 'Aim For the Stars' foundation to inspire women to follow their dreams and aspirations. It will support women who have an ambition but need the financial support to achieve it. The foundation seeks to support any applicant who wishes to reach the highest pinnacle in their chosen arena. For further information, check out Aim for the Stars Foundation.

The facts

Manly Blades hire out blades and boards with prices starting at $15 an hour.

Manly Blades

Tel: 02 9976 3833

Qantas and QantasLink can fly you to Sydney. One way prices start at $120 from Melbourne and $251 from Perth (online fares only).

Qantas

Tel: 13 13 13

Manly Council Visitor Information

Tel: 02 8966 8111

Bower Restaurant

Tel: 02 9977 5451

Prices correct at 05/07/04