Manly: Foreshore Walks, Harbour and History

Discover Manly through its foreshore walks, the history of its promenade and activities at Manly Harbour Village. A concrete path follows the shoreline to Elanora Park, while the wider foreshore area extends beyond Manly. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Manly, you can shape your plans around these different sides of the area—from a walk to an outing on the water.

Walking along the foreshore

A concrete path begins near the upper end of Coolana Street and runs along the foreshore. West of Manly Boat Harbour, the route follows a footpath and then reconnects with the foreshore path. From there, it continues north along the shoreline to Elanora Park. The route can be broken down using clear landmarks: its start near Coolana Street, the section west of the harbour and the park at the end. The foreshore path offers a different way to explore from the excursions and water sports at Manly Harbour Village.

A wider foreshore area along Moreton Bay

The foreshore areas of Wynnum, Manly and Lota together comprise a 16-kilometre strip of parkland along the shores of Moreton Bay. People picnic, walk, cycle, fish and go boating in this shared foreshore area; informal sports and games, swimming, windsurfing and birdwatching are also among the activities. Each offers a different focus: picnicking and birdwatching differ from cycling and water sports, while fishing and boating provide further ways to enjoy the water. This perspective covers the foreshore areas of Wynnum, Manly and Lota together. It complements the specific walking route in Manly with a broader view of the foreshore area.

Manly’s history by the water

In the early 20th century, Manly’s waterfront promenade became one of the area’s most popular bathing and leisure spots. Stone walls and gardens were built along Royal Esplanade in the 1930s. The promenade’s history is therefore tied both to its former role as a bathing and leisure spot and to a specific design along the road. If you’re interested in local history, these two milestones offer a distinct way to discover Manly, alongside today’s opportunities for walks and recreation by the water.

Activities at Manly Harbour Village

Manly Harbour Village offers sailing and boating excursions as well as paths along the water. Visitors can also learn to kayak or windsurf there. The excursions focus on getting out on a boat, while learning to kayak or windsurf centres on trying a water sport yourself. A walk by the water is another way to spend your time. Weekly arts and crafts markets are also held in the Village. If you’re planning a market visit, check the specific dates in advance.

Choosing a holiday rental to suit your plans

When looking for a holiday rental in Manly, it helps to first choose the experiences you want to shape your stay: the foreshore path, the historic promenade or the activities at Manly Harbour Village. These priorities lead to different day plans. If you’d also like to include picnics, cycling, fishing or birdwatching, you can also consider the shared foreshore area of Wynnum, Manly and Lota. This way, you can choose your accommodation based on the experiences you want and the area that suits them.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: North Lakes, Caboolture, Raceview, Ipswich, Macgregor, Zillmere, Jamboree Heights, Kangaroo Point

For the overarching travel guide: Brisbane.