I expect we'll end up with time to see only one of Sydney's lovely beaches, presumably either Bondi or Manly. But how to choose! This will be in August, so we won't be swimming, more just enjoying the walks and views, maybe having the kids play in the sand. Any advice as to which beach I should pick? The guidebooks all seem to like both and are not helpful in choosing just one. We are travelling with kids ages 9 to 15. On a different day, we will be taking the ferry to Taronga Zoo so we will get in at least one great ferry ride even if we don't go to Manly.

Probably Manly, which is more pleasant to get to and walk around. Bondi has a more accessible shoreline extension bushwalk for kids (yes I know the Bondi ones are epic, but they're more for serious walkers). But Bondi has fought off efforts to extend the train to make the bus transfer not needed, so it's needlessly harder to get to. Also it's less visually interesting unless you like big blank views, and a tad downmarket compared to Manly.

Hi Miranda,
I have not been to Manly (yet) but I have to agree with Vikings thoughts on Bondi.
We were quite disapointed with Bondi, it really was a bit tatty and dirty and definitely down market when we were there, in October 01.
However we did find it quite easy to get to from Hyde park area by bus.
If Manly is easier to get to than Bondi as Viking suggests then I would go to Manly.
Have fun

Muck

I stayed at Coogee Beach (sort of a mini Bondi) and took the coastal path through Clovelly, Bronte, and Tamarama beaches, ending up at Bondi. It was a spectacular walk, and can be done by anyone in reasonable condition. You can take the bus back if you don't fancy walking both ways.

Sydney's best beach is Palm Beach.

Of the choice of Bondi and Manly...Manly is best

Ideally you should do the spit to manly walk in the afternoon,have a look around manly's harbourside and surf beaches,have a drink and something to eat and catch the ferry back to the quay as the sun sets.

"7 miles from sydney and a thousand miles from care"...thats what they used to say when Manly was a holiday destination for suburban sydneysiders.

Spent a wonderful New Years' Day at Manly. Perfect weather. Great ferry ride over and a short walk from the pier. Lots of stores, plenty of areas to sit and a half way decent public restroom / changing area. Very friendly locals. I stil dream about Manly. Will definitely return before I die.

Had the most fantastic fish and chips...actually it was calamari ? the largest, tastiest rings I have every tasted... from a small fish place on the main street, close to the beach. Sorry can not remember the name. One of the best meals I have had in ages.

How much time do you have . . . the whole day? or more of a 1/2 day?

Manly would be my choice having been to both. That said, I enjoyed the walk from Coogee to Bondi however, the walk from "The Spit" (a bridge) to Manly was awesome!!!!! I think your kids would like it my only concern would be how much walking your 9 yr old can take and if you yourself like walks. This was a neat walk where you went up along some rocky stretches and then also along a mini beach and through some tree/forested areas. . . it was great. Then we did just as the above posted indicated. Grabbed a bite to eat and we got on the ferry and headed home -- we definitely had felt like we "escaped" the city for a day. It was super nice and much more enjoyable then Bondi. The views were BEAUTIFUL

The only reason I would choose Bondi over Manly is if you aren't into a "good" walk -- you will break a sweat most likely. The walk around Bondi is on a paved walkway and just a very leisurely stroll compared to the Spit/Manly.

Good luck !

I seem to be in the minority here but I would recommend Bondi. Its easier to access than Manly. A 7-minute train to Bondi Junction then a short bus ride down the hill. "Downmarket" comments about Bondi from other posters are correct but that's referring to the shops and cafes, but when it comes to the beach itself, Bondi is fine. Also, the walk along the coast to Coogee is spectacular and can be done easily and will take a leisurely 90 minutes. You'll get several beaches for the price of one with Coogee the best of the lot. Plenty of nice cafes there, great kids playground and 30 minute bus ride back to the city.
The Spit to Manly walk is fantastic also but a lot to take on with kids and strapped for time.

Just watch out for the "Bondi cigars"!!

I think it is a bit easier to get to Manly from the Circular Quay as you only need to get on a 30 minute ferry from wharf 3 as opposed to the train/bus but both are fairly convenient. I rather like the beach at Bondi abit more and Hugo's restaurant at Bondi is very good. The walk to Bronte is also nice and short while the walk to Spit bridge from Manly is much longer but perhaps more scenic. You could really choose either one.
If you do go to Manly I would recommend you stop at the Manly wharf for food. There is a very good chocolate shop for hot chocolate drinks, and if you are staying in an apartment or doing a picnic there is a good upscale food market as well as several shops selling take away food. I can recall a bakery, an asian food stall, fish & chips, roast chicken & chips, and a middle eastern food stall.
We bought a roast chicken, chips and salad there on our way back to our Circular Quay apartment last week. Pretty good.
On another note if you are doing the Taronga zoo with your children I would very much recommend you do their Aussi VIP tour. We had two ladies escort us for several hours to visit the Australian animals which included entering several of the cages so that the children could actually touch and play with the Koalas, kangaroos, Wallabys etc. Do have a great trip.

I would definitely say Manly. Not only is there the beach, there are HEAPS of places to eat, plus there's a lovely walk around the point from beside the surf club, to Shelly Beach. (a short flat walk right next to the water).

Shelly Beach is pretty and protected, so should be nice to sit at, even in August.

There's a nice cafe halfway along the walk where you could stop for a drink.

Thanks everyone for your help! I'm still not 100% sure which beach we will choose, but now I have a much better idea of the pros and cons of each one.

We loved Manly - it has better restaurants, shopping and I think a classier atmosphere. The ferry ride is fun -- a great view of the SH Bridge. My daughter bought a swimsuit at Bondi but for the most part -- the beach front looked a little run down -- a young dishelved man asked us for spare change.

I read in the "Manly Daily" this week that the Matilda cruise company was starting a manly rocket express harbour loop( darling harbour-circular quay-rose bay-manly..with commentary) to run throughout the day from october 1.

Oh, I like those choice of destinations; Rose Bay and Darling are wonderful stops for eating, scenery, and activities (eg. shorewalk Rose Bay to Shark Beach or even Watson's Bay). More frequent ferries would help, especially express. I wonder if they are on a different payment scheme that the usual city ferry pass - a special premiem ticket perhaps?