Page 137 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sydney

FUR THER AFIELD  135

pines. Nearby is a monument
to a local newspaper proprietor
who, in 1902, defied bans on
daytime bathing and was
promptly arrested.
Every October Manly hosts
a great jazz festival (see p50).

e North Head
g Manly. Quarantine Station Ghost
Tours: bookings essential (starting
times vary). Tel 9466 1500.
∑ qstation.com.au
The majestic cliffs of North Head
Shop façades featuring decorative gables along Manly’s Corso afford the finest views in Sydney
Harbour National Park, providing
1918. Since then, these two your time in the city, most vistas along the coastline, across
characters – known as the Sydneysiders would nominate to Middle Harbour and towards
“gumnut” babies along with the a ferry ride to Manly. This narrow the city. North Head is also the
cartoon characters Bib and Bub – stretch of land lying between ideal place for observing the
have been loved by countless the har bour and ocean was movements of harbour and
young Australians. named by Governor Phillip, even seagoing craft and especially for
Nutcote was, for 44 years, the before the township of Sydney seeing off the yachts at the start
home of their creator, illus trator got its name, for the impressive of the annual Sydney to Hobart
and author May Gibbs. Saved bearing of the Aboriginal men. race (see p51).
from demolition then restored As the ferry pulls in to Manly The Quarantine Station nestles
and refurbished in the style of Wharf you will notice on the just above Spring Cove within
the 1930s, it opened in 1994 right many shops, restau rants the national park. Here, between
as an historic house museum. and bars and on the left, the 1832 and the 1960s, many ships,
Visitors can view the author’s tranquil harbourside beach with their crews and their migrant
painstakingly kept notebooks known as Manly Cove. passengers, were quaran tined to
and other memo rabilia At the far end of Manly Cove protect Sydneysiders from the
(including the table at which is Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, spread of epidemic diseases.
she worked), as well as original where visitors can see reptiles, More than 500 people died
editions of her books. There is sharks and giant stingrays in here, leading some to believe
a garden with views across the an underwater viewing tunnel. that the area is haunted.
harbour and a shop that sells You can also dive with sharks, Accommodation is available
a range of May Gibbs’ souvenirs. and details of Shark Dive Xtreme in Q Station’s historic cottages,
are on the sanctuary’s website. while the site, including its hos-
The Corso is a lively pedes- pital, shower block and morgue,
q Taronga Zoo trian thoroughfare of souvenir can be explored on a guided
shops and fast-food outlets, “ghost” tour. Countless migrants
See pp136–7.
with a market held there on spent their first months in
Sundays. The Corso leads to Australia in isolation here. Many
Manly’s ocean beach, with its of its internees left poignant mes-
w Manly promenade lined by towering sages carved in the sandstone.
g Manly. Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary:
West Esplanade. Tel 1800 614 069.
Open 9:30am–5pm daily. Closed
25 Dec. & 8 See Four Guided Walks:
pp148–9. ∑ manlysealifesanctuary.
com.au
Long after Australia’s conver sion
to the metric system, the slogan
“seven miles from Sydney and a
thousand miles from care” is still
current. It refers to Manly and
the 7-mile (11-km) journey from
Circular Quay by harbour ferry.
If asked to suggest a single
excursion to enjoy during First-class quarters at the Quarantine Station, North Head

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