You're spoilt for choice when it comes to Manly Beach. Whether you want to spread a towel out and enjoy the soft white sand all day, surf its waves or explore its depths while snorkelling or diving, there's something for everyone. For those that prefer to look at it, it also makes a great backdrop for picnics or walking and cycle tracks.

Manly is where the world's first surfing contest was held in 1964, making it one of Australia's most famous beaches. The iconic beach curves from South Steyne to North Steyne and Queenscliff, where a submerged reef, or bombora, creates the waves that inspire the world's best surfers to travel to our shores.

The Corso connects the harbourside wharf to the famous ocean beach. The pedestrian mall is dotted with surf shops, boutiques and classic pubs. On the weekends, explore the the Manly Arts and Craft Market which takes over Sydney Road, just off the Corso.

Prefer to see Manly from the ground rather than via water? Hire a bicycle from ‘Manly Bike Tours and Hire’ and discover hidden harbour coves and beaches, such as Little Manly Cove and Collins Flat Beach. The 10km Manly to Spit Bridge walk rewards you with fantastic views across the harbour.

The clifftop trail connecting Bondi and Coogee is Sydney’s most famous coastal walk, but the Northern Beaches’ version is every bit as spectacular. The 10km (6 mile) track links the Spit Bridge with Manly Beach via a string of secret beaches, including Fisher Bay, Forty Baskets and Sandy Beach, before swinging through Fairlight on the way into Manly. For those with the energy left once you get there, continue on to tackle the rest of the trail, which hooks up with the rugged terrain of North Head.

Sydney’s beaches are often accompanied by an ocean pool, but few are as unique as this one at the southern end of Manly Beach.

Firstly, Fairy Bower Sea Pool, which was built by local residents in 1929, is triangular in shape. And secondly, it features a pair of striking sculptures by artist Helen Leete called The Oceanides, which look like a pair of dancers twirling above the water.

The ocean isn’t the only area of natural swimming that you’ll find in Manly, as there’s also an idyllic dam located at the back of the suburb.

Manly Dam is a popular spot for fishing, picnics and swimming, but the best way to see it is in a kayak. You can rent one from the Manly Kayak Centre to explore this tranquil waterway at your own pace.

Manly’s famous beach is shaded by towering Norfolk Island pine trees, making it an incredibly popular place to laze around on summer days. But for visitors who are feeling a little more adventurous, there are plenty of surf schools that can introduce first-timers to the waves.

Manly Surf School has been offering lessons since 1983, catering for both newbie children and adults, as well as seasoned surfers.

Want to escape the crowds at Manly? Just squeeze through the Wormhole. This little tunnel was carved out by fishermen over a century ago to link Queenscliff – at the north end of Manly Beach – with Freshwater, which many Northern Beaches regulars consider their favourite strip of sand in the area.

In fact, Freshie, as it’s fondly known, is where surfing was introduced to Australians in 1914 by Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku, who is commemorated with a statue nearby.

Lace up your walking shoes and stroll along the Manly Scenic Walkway until you reach this century-old structure, which doubles as one of Sydney’s best vantage points for birdwatching – particularly cormorants and white-breasted sea eagles. It’s also a great place to spot whales during winter, when humpbacks make their annual migration along Australia’s east coast. What’s more, Grotto Point contains an impressive collection of indigenous rock art engravings of kangaroos, whales and boomerangs forged by the local Aboriginal population thousands of years ago.

If you love handmade arts and crafts, then consider a trip to the Manly Markets, which open 10am–5pm every weekend (except public holidays).

You can find everything from jewellery to paintings and home-made body care products, so browse the stalls for the dream gift or a memento of your trip to Manly.

While Manly Beach’s long, open curve of sand stretches off into the distance, Shelly Beach feels more sheltered. Its arched bay makes it a secluded spot in Manly, and an ideal place for snorkelling and scuba diving.

The beach is part of Cabbage Tree Bay, a protected marine reserve that lies adjacent to North Head and Fairy Bower. It’s well set-up for a long day lounging beachside, with facilities including showers, toilets and a kiosk, along with free-to-use barbecues – ideal for a picnic at the beach.

Escape from Sydney’s searing summer heat with a trip to Manly Art Gallery and Museum.

Though small, the museum houses an impressive collection that belies its size. There’s over 130 works by the Italian-born artist Antonio Dattilo Rubbo, who spent much of his adult life teaching and painting in Australia, and a collection of Australian ceramics. Past temporary exhibitions have displayed various styles of painting, illustration, printmaking and ceramics, as well as multimedia artworks.

Manly Bike Tours offers Sydney's cheapest bicycle hire, and with a large fleet of mountain bikes, cruisers, tandems and kid's bikes they can cater to any of your needs.

Cycling is the ideal way to explore one of Sydney's most beautiful coastal towns. Manly has more than 20 kilometres of dedicated cycle paths to explore, and features secluded beaches, marine reserves and a National Park, as well as an amazing variety of wildlife. For an off-road experience, Manly Dam is only a 15 minute ride away and is one of the premier mountain bike tracks in Sydney.

Sydney Harbour National Park is home to several known rock engravings made by the region's Aboriginal inhabitants. Fascinating, well-preserved and etched into the Sydney basin sandstone, these images include humans, marine and land animals and more.

Grotto Point at Dobroyd Head is one of the best places to see these rock engravings up close. Look carefully along the side of the trail to see a giant kangaroo, boomerangs, a whale and several small fish. The site features timber enclosures protecting the engravings and you can learn all about them from the informative signs.

Located on the site of Sydney's former Quarantine Station at North Head, Q Station is a truly unique destination.

Hidden amidst Australian bush land with stunning views overlooking Sydney Harbour, Q Station offers stylish accommodation, interactive tours and group activities, restaurants and an ideal location for weddings, events and conferences.