Manly Vale

Set back from Queenscliff Beach, Manly Vale sits cheek by jowl with suburbs such as Balgowlah and Fairlight which share the magic of one of Sydney's oldest and most vibrant seaside resorts, Manly. It was in Manly that a fearless local newspaper editor, William Gocher. defied the city ordinances and police to pioneer daylight public swimming and to launch the surfing and life-saving movement back in 1902. Before Gocher 'bounded in for a bathe,' it was illegal for any New South Welshmen to bathe in public between 6am and 8pm. He was not prosecuted for that or subsequent daylight swims and a year later the prohibitive statutes were quietly erased from the books. Today Manly and the chain of beaches to its north are famous throughout the world. Manly also has one of the finest regional art galleries in the land, a spectacular aquarium, a harbourside funpark and , from North Head in the Sydney Harbour National Park, peerless views across the entrance to the harbour. Accommodation ranges from sheer luxury to a backpackers' hostel and the choice of cuisine will have both gourmets and snackers salivating.