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Manly Beach aerial view with pristine white sand and turquoise Pacific Ocean
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Manly

NSW 2095

Where surf culture meets harbour heritage

Sydney\'s most famous beachside suburb. Home to the iconic Manly Ferry, world-class surf breaks, the protected Shelly Beach marine sanctuary, and a vibrant coastal lifestyle that has defined Australian beach culture since 1855.

$4.10M4-bed median
16,296residents
38median age

Market Snapshot

$4.10M

4-Bed House Median

18 sold last year

$1.55M

2-Bed Unit Median

145 sold last year

42

Days on Market

4-bed houses avg.

48%

Clearance Rate

4-bed houses

Data from Domain.com.au • Last 12 months • Updated Feb 2026

Market Trends

Current median prices by bedroom count. Manly offers a diverse mix of apartments (76.8% of dwellings) and premium houses.

Houses

2 Bed

12 sold

$2.85M

56% clearance

3 Bed

28 sold

$3.55M

52% clearance

4 Bed

18 sold

$4.10M

48% clearance

Premium houses in Manly command strong prices due to limited supply and the suburb\'s world-famous beach location.

Units

1 Bed

112 sold

$980K

32 days avg.

2 Bed

145 sold

$1.55M

35 days avg.

3 Bed

42 sold

$2.25M

38 days avg.

Units dominate Manly\'s property market (76.8% of dwellings). Strong rental demand from young professionals and coastal lifestyle seekers.

Capital Growth Performance

1 Year Growth

+11.2%

Houses

3 Year Growth

+28.5%

Houses

5 Year Growth

+42.3%

Houses

10 Year Growth

+95.8%

Houses

Data Source: Domain.com.au Suburb Profile for Manly NSW 2095. Based on sales within the last 12 months. View on Domain

Who Lives in Manly

Demographics from ABS Census 2021 showing Manly\'s highly educated, professional community.

16,296

Population

38

Median Age

46.1%

Owners

51.4%

Renters

55.2%

University Educated

42.2%

Professionals

Source: ABS Census 2021 QuickStats for Manly (SAL12485)

Manly stands out for its highly educated workforce (55.2% with Bachelor\'s degree or higher vs 27.8% NSW average) and professional occupations (42.2% vs 25.8% NSW average). The suburb attracts a cosmopolitan community with 44.8% born overseas. Median household income of $3,164/week is significantly above the NSW average of $1,829/week.

Household Composition

Family structure data from ABS Census 2021 showing Manly\'s diverse household types.

54.0%

Couples Without Children

Empty nesters, young couples

35.8%

Couples With Children

Family households

9.1%

Single Parent Families

Lone parent households

31.5%

Lone Person Households

Single residents

7.6%

Group Households

Shared accommodation

Local Schools

Schools serving the Manly area, including local public, Catholic, and selective options.

Manly Village Public School

K-6

GovernmentCo-ed

Manly West Public School

K-6

GovernmentCo-ed

St Mary's Catholic School

K-6

CatholicCo-ed

Manly Selective Campus

7-12

GovernmentCo-ed

St Paul's Catholic College

7-12

CatholicSingle-sex

St Patrick's College

5-12

CatholicSingle-sex

Northern Beaches Secondary College

7-12

GovernmentCo-ed

Mackellar Girls Campus

7-12

GovernmentSingle-sex

Why Choose Manly

Iconic attractions and lifestyle features that make Manly one of Australia\'s most famous beach suburbs.

1

Manly Beach

1.5km iconic surf beach with golden sand and world-class waves

2

Manly Ferry

Historic 30-minute harbour cruise to Circular Quay since 1855

3

Shelly Beach

Pristine protected cove with snorkelling and diving

4

The Corso

Pedestrian boulevard connecting harbour to ocean beach

5

Surf Culture

Birthplace of Australian surf lifesaving (1907)

6

Coastal Walks

Manly to Spit Bridge scenic walkway (10km)

Manly Heritage Timeline

Key moments that shaped Australia\'s most famous beachside suburb.

1788

Captain Arthur Phillip names Manly Cove after meeting local Aboriginal men

1853

Henry Gilbert Smith purchases land with vision for seaside resort

1855

First Manly Wharf built and ferry service begins

1877

Manly Council incorporated as local government body

1902

William Gocher challenges daylight bathing ban

1903

Manly Council legalises all-day bathing - first in Australia

1907

Manly Surf Club established - world's first surf lifesaving club

1938

SS South Steyne begins service - world's largest steam ferry

Getting Around

Manly Ferry

The iconic 30-minute harbour cruise from Manly Wharf to Circular Quay is one of the world\'s most beautiful ferry journeys. Services run every 20-30 minutes. The ferry has been operating since 1855 and remains the most popular way to commute to the CBD.

Bus Services

Express buses (139, 190) connect Manly to the CBD via the Spit Bridge in 35-45 minutes. Regular services also run to Chatswood, Brookvale, and throughout the Northern Beaches.

Driving

Manly is approximately 17km northeast of the Sydney CBD. Access via the Spit Bridge and Military Road. During peak hours, the journey can take 35-50 minutes. Parking is available at Manly Wharf and throughout the suburb.

Distance to CBD

By Ferry30 min
By Bus35-45 min
By Car25-35 min
Distance17 km

Neighboring Suburbs

Explore the surrounding Northern Beaches area and compare property prices.

Freshwater

North

$3.2M

More affordable beach lifestyle

Fairlight

West

$3.8M

Harbour views, family-friendly

Queenscliff

South

$3.5M

Headland location, quieter

North Manly

North

$2.8M

Suburban, better value

BalgoWlah

West

$3.9M

Village atmosphere

Seaforth

West

$3.6M

Family-oriented, schools

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living and buying in Manly.

What is the median house price in Manly?+

The median 4-bedroom house price in Manly is $4.10M (as of February 2026), based on 18 sales in the last 12 months with an average of 42 days on market. Units are more common in Manly, with a median 2-bedroom unit price of $1.55M based on 145 sales. Source: Domain.com.au

Is Manly a good area for families?+

Manly is excellent for families with 60.9% family households and quality schools including Manly Village Public, St Mary's Catholic, and nearby selective high schools. The suburb offers safe swimming at Shelly Beach, numerous parks, surf education programs, and a strong community atmosphere.

How do I get to the Sydney CBD from Manly?+

The iconic Manly Ferry provides the most scenic commute in Sydney, taking 30 minutes to reach Circular Quay. Services run every 20-30 minutes throughout the day. Alternatively, express buses (139, 190) take 35-45 minutes via the Spit Bridge. By car, it's approximately 17km (25-35 minutes in off-peak).

What is Manly famous for?+

Manly is world-famous for its 1.5km surf beach, historic ferry service (operating since 1855), and as the birthplace of Australian surf lifesaving (1907). It was also the first place in Australia to legalise daylight swimming (1903) and is home to the beautiful Shelly Beach marine sanctuary.

What is the demographic profile of Manly?+

Manly has a population of 16,296 with a median age of 38 years. It's highly educated (55.2% with Bachelor's degree or higher) and professional (42.2% professionals, 24.8% managers). Median household income is $3,164/week, significantly above NSW average. The area has 51.4% renters reflecting its popularity with young professionals.

Find Your Manly Agent

Connect with experienced local agents who know Manly\'s beachside market inside and out.

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Data sources: Domain.com.au, ABS Census 2021, Northern Beaches Council

Last updated: February 2026

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