Visiting Manly in Sydney, is one of the great things to do when visiting this great city. The easiest way to get there is to catch the Manly Ferry. It departs regularly from Circular Quay and takes about 40 minutes. If you are in a hurry, take the fast ferry, it costs more but takes half the time.
The ferry terminal has a selection of eateries, as does the walk down to the beach. We grabbed a coffee and some snacks and ate them next to the beach. There are plenty of places to sit and eat, either on the grass or numerous seats provided.
Manly Beach
As well as the excellent beach, there is a nice walk along the foreshore to Shelly Beach. Along the way you will pass the Fairy Bower Pool. A nice little pool to swim in away from the waves. It also has some wonderful fairy statues.
Marine Parade
Fairy Bower Sea Pool
Fairy Statues
On our return to the ferry wharf, we passed some great street art. Our favorite was the stack of surfboards set up in someone’s front yard.
The Ferry Trip
On the return trip you will get some great views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the mast of HMAS Sydney at Bradley’s Head.
Surf Board Street Art
Opera House From the Manly Ferry
Manly Wormhole
For something slightly different, there is a small tunnel to the north of Manly Beach. The Wormhole was originally constructed by fishermen for easy access from Manly to Freshwater, but it now makes an interesting destination.
Access is past the Queenscliff Rock Pool followed by a short walk over the rocks towards the point. Here you will see a couple of orange hearts painted on the wall which mark the wormhole’s location. Although not very long the tunnel provides some interesting views of Manly and the beach as well as some great views out to sea and along the coast. It’s an easy walk and was fun to do.
The Museum of Fire is in Penrith to the west of Sydney. We went there as we were looking for something to do after a trip to Katoomba the day before. Spotting the entrance is easy because of the fire engine on a pole out the front.
The Museum of Fire Entrance
As well as a first-rate collection of fire engines, the Museum is an educational centre on fire prevention. The fire prevention is primarily aimed at children, but is also relevant to adults. It highlights fire risks around the home as well as bush fire risks. There is a video that screens in the cinema which focuses on bush-fire prevention which makes excellent viewing.
The collection of fire engines stretches back to the horse-drawn and hand pumped units of the 1800s on to steam-powered pumps and the modern fire engines of today.
Everything is logically set out in a timeline from oldest to newest. This lets you see how firefighting techniques have advanced over more than a century.
A fantastic place to visit, although it will help if you like fire engines.
For other places to visit in New South Wales, please read some of our other stories.
Photos From the Extensive Collection of Fire Engines
Hyde Park is in the centre of Sydney and is a fantastic retreat from the hustle and traffic of the city. It is cool and shady and there is plenty of seating set around the park. Park Street divides Hyde Park in two, however there are pedestrian crossings at the lights at either end and the centre.
ANZAC Memorial
The ANZAC Memorial was built to commemorate the Australian Imperial Force of World War I. It is the focal point of the southern section of Hyde Park, along with the Pool of Reflection. On ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day the memorial is the central focus of the ceremonies, so can be extremely busy..
120,000 gold stars covered the domed ceiling, representing all those from New South Wales who served in World War One. The centre piece of the interior is a bronze statue of a deceased youth, representing a soldier, held aloft on his shield.
To the north is the pool of reflection and a long tree-lined pathway. It is very shady and cool in the Australian summer. A great place to sit quietly and relax.
This is one of the must-see places in Sydney.
The ANZAC Memorial
Pathway to ANZAC Memorial
Emden Gun
This gun is a 4″ Gun taken from the German raider “Emden” destroyed by H.M.A.S. Sydney in 1914. A gift from the Commonwealth Government to the citizens of Sydney. Historically important, to Australia as a whole and Sydney in particular.
The Emden Gun
The Munitions Statue
This statue consists of four individual seven-metre tall steel and marble bullets, sitting next to three fallen shells, all on a large boomerang-shaped concrete base. They represent the reality of war. Specifically they depict the sculptor’s (Tony Albert) grandfather and six companions. The three fallen shells represent those who were killed.
The Munitions Statue
The Munitions Statue
Hyde Park Obelisk
The Hyde Park Obelisk is on the intersection of Elizabeth and Bathurst Streets. Built in 1857 the obelisk was a vent for the sewer system. It is now used to ventilate the storm water system. At 22m it’s hard to miss. Interesting for what it is, but not worth taking too much time over.
Hyde Park Obelisk
Statue of Fire, Water and Earth.
Located on the western side of the park, near Elizabeth street, is a three-piece sandstone sculpture representing the three elements, by Gerard Havekes. A creative and interesting piece of art work and worth finding to have a look at it.
Earth Wind and Fire
Captain Cook Statue
This bronze statue commemorates Captain James Cook, the first Englishman to chart the east coast of Australia. It was officially unveiled in 1879. Worth looking at for the historical significance of Cook.
Captain Cook Statue
Archibald Fountain
The focus of the northern park is the Archibald Fountain. Named after the editor of the Bulletin Magazine who donated the funds to have it built. It was designed by a French sculptor, both because of Archibald’s love of French culture and to commemorate the ties between Australia and France from the First World War.
Seats surround the fountain making it a very restful place, right in the middle of Sydney.
The Archibald Fountain
Sandringham Gardens
Near Park Street are the Sandringham Gardens. They surround a circular fountain and commemorate King George V and King George VI. It is an attractive setting and a beautiful place to walk around.
Sandringham Gardens
Statue of William Bede Dalley
Dalley was born to convict parent and rose to be the first Australian appointed to the Privy Council. He was well-respected and this monument was erected to honor him. Located on the northern edge of Hyde Park it is easy to find.
Statue of William Bede Dalley
Cannon
Sitting among the flower beds on College Street is a bronze cannon. It used to form part of Sydney’s defense at Bennelong Point. Dating from 1808 it is worth a look as you pass by.
Cannon
Governor Lachlan Macquarie Statue
The most northerly Statue in the Gardens is that of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. He was Governor from 1810 to 1821 and was responsible for the social, economic and architectural development of the colony. Located looking down the road named after him, it is very easy to find. As a major figure in Australia’s history, the statue is worth looking for.
Major General Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Statues
Although not in the park, there are two statues located just to its northern boundary in Queen’s Square. To the West is Queen Victoria and to the east is her consort, Prince Albert. If you are in Hyde Park, it is worth crossing the road to have a look at them.
Queen Victoria
Prince Albert
St Mary’s Cathedral
Dominating the eastern side of the park is St Mary’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney and is the Cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Beautiful inside as well as out, this is one of the great buildings in Sydney. As well as the interior you can visit the crypts. To visit the crypts, buy tickets from the gift shop. We were the only ones there when we went. Many early bishops of Sydney are interred in the crypt, so it is interesting historically. In addition, the architecture is fantastic and well worth spending time down there to admire it.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Pope Statue , Saint Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral Crypt
Hyde Park
So if you are in Sydney, you can easily spend most of a day looking around Hyde Park and its surrounding areas. Nearby is the Australian Museum and Macquarie Street with most of central Sydney very close as well. For other places to see in Sydney, please read some of our other stories.
