Fairy Bower

Located in the affluent suburb of Manly in Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Fairy Bower - also known as Fairy Bower Beach - is a 60-meter-long rocky beach with very little sand.   The beach is positioned along the Marine Parade and is adjacent to Shelly Beach ocean pools on the shores of Cabbage Tree Bay.  It has a beautiful backdrop of many oceanfront buildings, including homes, shops, restaurants, and a rock pool, which together provide incredible views of the vast Pacific Ocean.  The beach is part of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, which aims to conserve the biodiversity of fish and marine vegetation in the region. It is declared a “no-take zone” which means you cannot fish here or remove anything from the bay.

Fairy Bower does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except restrooms and a triangular-shaped rock pool with a handrail and a small ladder, so plan your trip accordingly.

Fairy Bower offers several fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, and rockpooling.  If you are planning to go into the water, we recommend being careful, as the water is known to have unpredictable rip currents.  Visitors can also enjoy a 20-meter-triangular Fairy Bower sSea pPool (a small pool of seawater that forms along the coastline and is a microhabitat that is home to many sea creatures) that is positioned right on the beach.  Snorkelers and divers may spot an array of marine life, making it a fascinating spot for nature enthusiasts.  The beach is a perfect spot for windsurfing due to its frequently windy weather and great waves from north-easterly and southeasterly winds.  In addition, the Ffairy Bbower surf cams are installed near the shore and offer multiple views of surf spots seldom pointed toward the best wave peaks.  Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.

Fairy Bower Beach does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Fairy Bower is easy - the beach has a few street parking spots located at 7 Marine Parade, which provides easy access to the beach. 

There are two sculptures that sit along the rocky edge of the Fairy Bower Rockpool, which are popularly known as “The Sea Nymphs” or “The Oceanides.”

There are many attractions near Fairy Bower.  Taronga Zoo Sydney is located on the shores of Sydney Harbour, overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  It is home to over 5,000 animals from 350 different species, including African lions, tigers, Asian elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, meerkats, koalas, gorillas, red kangaroos, tree kangaroos, Corroboree frogs, sun bears, zebras, lemurs, regent honeyeaters, seals, penguins, and sea lions.  In addition, the zoo also offers interactive animal feeding and petting sessions and hosts many interesting events.  Sydney Tower Eye is a 309-meter-tall observation tower that has an indoor and outdoor observation deck and offers panoramic views of Sydney and its suburbs.  Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is spread over 30 hectares and is home to more than 30,000 native plant species.  It is also home to many gardens, including the Palm Grove, the Rose Garden, the Orientation Center, the Herb Garden, and the rainforest gully.  In addition, it also features the Glasshouse, the Tropical Centre, and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, which offers iconic views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Luna Park Sydney is a family-friendly amusement park that features many thrill rides, including the Wild Mouse spinning roller coaster, the Tumble Bug neo-futurist orbiter ride, the big dipper, the Ferris wheel, the carousel, tea cups, the express train, and many other fun rides.  In addition, it also has a gaming arcade and carnival-style games.   If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Garigal National Park preserves fragile ecosystems, including bushland, wetlands, forests, and estuaries, that offer unique insight into the local biodiversity.  The park offers many interesting activities, including fishing, cycling, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, picnicking, sailing, boating, bushwalking, birdwatching, and picnicking.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants on Fairy Bower.  The Bower Manly is a famous Fairy Bower restaurant that serves amazing salads, burgers, sandwiches, meat, and poultry dishes.  Little Pearl is a beachfront upscale restaurant that serves amazing salads, rice noodles, dumplings, sashimi, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Garfish Manly serves delicious seafood.  Manly Grill is a beachfront restaurant that has outdoor seating areas and serves amazing salads, steaks, and seafood.   Sake Restaurant & Bar Manly serves incredible soups, salads, sashimi, sushi, rolls, and bento boxes.   If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Yok Thai Restaurant serves soups, noodles, fried rice, Thai curries, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Fairy Bower, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Manly Pacific Sydney MGallery Collection is five minutes away by car and offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and two restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Macleay Hotel, which has many amenities, including a rooftop pool, a terrace with harbor views, a fitness center, and an Asian fusion restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Vibe Hotel North Sydney, which has many amenities including an outdoor pool, a fitness room, a hot tub, and a food court.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star YHA Sydney Harbour - The Rocks, which offers several amenities including a rooftop deck with harbor views, a barbecue grill facility, a lounge, and a dining area.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Nesuto Woolloomooloo Apartment Hotel offers a few amenities including an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a sauna.