Manly
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Manly, NSW 2095.
About Manly
Welcome to Manly
Manly sits on Sydney's northern beaches, about 17 kilometres north-east of the CBD, occupying a narrow stretch of land between the Pacific Ocean and Manly Harbour. It's a suburb defined by its geography: ocean beach on one side, calm harbour water on the other, and the bushland of North Head anchoring its southern tip. The famous Manly Ferry service ties it directly back to Circular Quay, making it one of the few Sydney suburbs where the daily commute doubles as a harbour cruise.
The suburb suits people who want a genuine beach lifestyle without giving up city connections — surfers, harbourside strollers, hospitality workers, and professionals happy to trade a slightly longer commute for ocean air. With a population of 16,296 and a median age of 38, Manly attracts a mix of long-term locals, young professionals and downsizers, alongside a steady flow of visitors drawn to the Corso, the beach and the ferry wharf precinct.
Lifestyle & dining
Manly's identity is built around its beach and its pedestrian spine, the Corso, which links the ferry wharf to the surf. Cafes, pubs and restaurants line both the beachfront and the harbourside, catering to everyone from early-morning swimmers to long lunch crowds. The energy shifts depending on where you are — Manly Beach itself is lively and tourist-friendly, while pockets toward Fairlight and Queenscliff feel quieter and more residential.
North Head, at the suburb's southern edge, offers walking trails, harbour views and a sense of the area's history as a former quarantine and defence site. Between the ocean beach, the harbour pool at Manly Cove, and the bush of North Head, there's a genuine variety of outdoor experiences packed into a small footprint.
Getting around
The Manly Ferry is the suburb's signature transport link, running regularly to Circular Quay and giving residents a scenic, if occasionally weather-dependent, alternative to road travel. Buses connect Manly to the wider northern beaches, including neighbouring Manly Vale, Balgowlah and Balgowlah Heights, and on to the Sydney CBD via the Spit Bridge or Military Road corridor.
There's no train line directly serving Manly, so most residents rely on ferry and bus services, or driving, for the daily commute. Within the suburb itself, much of daily life — beach, shops, cafes, ferry — is comfortably walkable, which is part of the appeal for people who want to leave the car at home.
Schools & families
Families in Manly have a solid spread of options close by, including Manly Village Public School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School for primary years, and Stella Maris College for secondary schooling. Early learning is well catered for too, with Headland Montessori ELC and Farmhouse Montessori School offering alternative early-years approaches, while Royal Far West School and the North Head area add to the suburb's education and community footprint.
With a median age of 38 and a population just over 16,000, Manly has enough families to support this range of schools, while also remaining attractive to younger professionals and couples drawn by the beach lifestyle.
Housing & architecture
The current listings mix tells the story of modern Manly: 79% apartments or units, 19% houses, with townhouses and land making up the remainder. This apartment-heavy profile reflects decades of development along the beachfront and harbour, where standalone houses have become increasingly scarce and sought after, particularly in pockets toward Fairlight and Balgowlah Heights.
Architecturally, Manly ranges from Federation and interwar houses on the surrounding hills to contemporary apartment blocks close to the beach and Corso. Renovated cottages and character homes still turn up in the quieter streets, but the dominant building type for most buyers and renters today is the unit.
The property market
Manly's property market sits firmly at the premium end of Sydney's northern beaches. The median house price stands at $6.00 million, having climbed 18.2% recently, while the median unit or apartment price is $1.90 million — a reflection of just how much buyers are willing to pay for beach and harbour proximity. Median rent across the suburb is $2,500 per week.
Given that apartments make up 79% of current listings, units are the more accessible (relatively speaking) and common entry point into the suburb, while houses remain scarce and command a substantial premium. Buyers priced out of Manly itself often look to neighbouring Manly Vale, Balgowlah or Queenscliff for a similar lifestyle at a lower cost.
Market snapshot
Manly property market
Median sale price
$6m
House · 4 bed
Median rent
$2,500
per week
Gross rental yield
2.2%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$3.88m
Median
$6m
Premium
$14.18m
Days on market
—
Auction clearance
42%
Sold this year
25
Median sold price trend · House 4 bed
Compound growth +5.1% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Manly by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Manly, NSW 2095.
Population
16,296
residents (2021)
Median age
38
years
Household income
$3,164
median, per week
Median rent
$725
per week
Median mortgage
$3,467
per month
Mortgage / income
25%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Manly
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Farmhouse Montessori School, North Head
Stella Maris College Benedict Campus
Recent results
Recently sold in Manly
$9m
69 Stuart Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.15m
12/14 Malvern Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$950k
703/22 Central Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$925k
5/22 Malvern Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$2.51m
1/23 Quinton Road
Sold ~July 2026
$900k
204/10 West Promenade
Sold ~July 2026
$965k
1/30 Eurobin Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$2.85m
11/48 Collingwood Street
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Manly
Compare the area
Price map around Manly
Every listing for sale near Manly, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Manly suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Manly?
The median unit price in Manly, NSW is $1.90m for a 2-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 5.6%.
How much is rent in Manly?
The median weekly rent in Manly is around $1,193 per week.
Is Manly a good place to live?
Manly is a beach-side suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Manly is an established residential suburb in NSW, with a population of around 16,296 and 7 schools in the area.
What is the population of Manly?
Manly has a population of 16,296 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 38.
What schools are in Manly?
There are 7 schools in or near Manly, including Headland Montessori ELC, Royal Far West School and Farmhouse Montessori School, North Head.
How long do homes take to sell in Manly?
Properties in Manly take around 35 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 59%.
How much do you need to buy in Manly?
Entry-level properties in Manly start around $1.20m, while premium homes reach $3.30m.
What suburbs are near Manly?
Suburbs near Manly include Fairlight, Queenscliff, Balgowlah, Manly Vale and Balgowlah Heights.
Fresh to market
New this week in Manly
Beautiful Manly residence in a highly sought after Eastern Hill address
Coastal classic
That loving feeling
Absolute harbourfront
Available now