Hello,

My sister and I leave in a couple of weeks for Australia, and was wondering which beach is nicer, Manly or Bondi?

We only have 4 days in Sydney and won't have the time to visit both beaches, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'd make it Manly. Getting there and back on the ferry is so much more pleasant than taking the bus to Bondi, the place is nicer overall, and you're not crowded out by slowly grilling, hungover British backpackers.

Out of those two I'd make it Manly too, with an easy ferry ride over the harbour from Sydney's Circular Quay. But still prefer Sydney's more northern beaches - from Mona Vale to Palm Beach you have a peninsula with surfing beaches on one side and still waters of Pittwater on the other - at Palm Beach you can walk up to Barrenjoey lighthouse for a great view and/or catch a little ferry from the Pittwater side over to The Basin. Much, much less developed than Manly, or Bondi in particular.

Another vote for Manly - and for Pittwater.

Manly my vote also. Over Bondi that is.

I've stayed in a holiday flat in Manly, spending mornings at the beach, then getting the ferry into the city for shopping etc. Much nicer than Bondi!

Back in 2001 when we visited Australia for the first time, one of the must do missions we undertook was to go to Bondi Beach.
It was mid October and whilst we understood it was not peak summer by any stretch of the imagination it was great weather.
We had visions of the best beach in the world.
We were totally 100% disapointed, it was very average,dirty,untidy, many of the buildings were really run down. It reminded us of Barry Island just off Cardiff here in Wales....awful.

I'd choose Manly

Muck

Bondi is like Forsters Beer. Famous somehow for not really any real reason.

Manly wins hands down over Bondi. Take the ferry across (an experience in itself), walk down the Corso from the Harbour to the ocean and see a beach of golden sand stretching for at least three times as far as Bondi. It's so long they have to have more than one surf club to keep an eye on the swimmers. Personally I'd take the jetcat back to the city to finish my day in style.

Another vote for Manly, with the ferry ride being half the purpose of the visit!

I have no idea how Bondi got on the "must see" list for overseas visitors (and I live not that far away from it!). It's relatively close to the city which is possibly why it's famous, but in my view there are probably 10-15 better beaches in Sydney.

I absolutely agree with Jane.
Also, I don't think Manly is worth it, if you have just 4 days.

Here is what I would do

In the morning, go down to Coggee, and have breakfast.
Do the cliff walk up to Bondi, and have lunch there.
Spend an hour, in Bondi Beach, and reconfirm that it is the most over rated place on earth.
Catch a taxi up to the Gap
Walk around up there.
Get stuck in a pub or two.
Make it to Doyle's in Watson Bay, for supper.
Catch a cab back to your Hotel.

I can Guarantee, the day will be miles better than "Manly or Bondi".

G