Bonza Bike Tours Manly Beach and Sunset Cruise

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Ferry across Sydney Harbour to Manly, ride the beachfront and climb to the cliff tops of North Head, then sail back as the sun goes down behind the city. A four-hour guided ride with a couple of real hills, for riders with some confidence on a bike.

Days

About 4 hours

Group size

Shared group, minimum 2 guests

Start / finish

The Rocks / Manly / The Rocks

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Hybrid bike and return Manly ferry

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Bonza Bike Tours Manly Beach and Sunset Cruise

View map

Included experiences

Manly ferry — cross Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay
Manly Beach — ride the beachfront to Shelly Beach
North Head — climb to the coastal cliffs in the national park
Cliff-top lookouts — harbour and ocean views, whales May to November
Sunset ferry — return past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge

Bonza Bike Tours Manly Beach and Sunset Cruise

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

AFTERNOON: THE ROCKS TO MANLY BY FERRY

The tour meets in the afternoon at the Bonza shop on Harrington Street in The Rocks. After a bike fitting and a helmet, the group rides the short way to Circular Quay, on Sydney Cove where the First Fleet came ashore in 1788, and wheels the bikes onto the ferry. Ferries have carried people to Manly since the 1850s, and the crossing is one of the great harbour rides, past the Opera House, Fort Denison and the harbour's bays, with the swell rolling in through the Heads as you near the other side. An e-bike is recommended for what comes later, though not essential.

MANLY BEACH TO SHELLY BEACH

From Manly Wharf on Manly Cove you ride across to the ocean side. Governor Arthur Phillip named the place in 1788 after the confident bearing of the Aboriginal men he met here. Manly Beach is lined with Norfolk Island pines, and in 1902 it was where William Gocher openly swam in daylight in defiance of the ban on daytime sea bathing. You ride north to Manly Lagoon at the far end of the beach, then back down to Shelly Beach, in the Cabbage Tree Bay marine reserve, one of the few beaches on Australia's east coast that faces west. Expect some sand and shoreline along the way.

UP ONTO NORTH HEAD

Now comes the hard part: a couple of solid climbs past St Patrick's Seminary, the grand sandstone college opened above Manly in 1889, and up onto North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park. The headland's sandstone cliffs guard the northern side of the harbour entrance, and from 1828 to 1984 it was home to the Quarantine Station, where people arriving by ship were kept to stop disease reaching Sydney. At the top you ride in the sea air with views back to the city and out over the Pacific. From May to November, keep watching for humpback whales migrating past, and look for the headland's wildlife in the scrub.

SUNSET FERRY BACK TO THE CITY

The ride back down returns you to Manly Wharf in time for the ferry home. This crossing is timed for sunset, so the sky behind the city turns gold and pink as you head up the harbour, with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge ahead as the lights come on. The tour ends back in The Rocks about four hours after it began.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Bonza Bike Tours, 30 Harrington Street, The Rocks. Meet 15 minutes before the tour; there is no hotel pick-up, and there are several cafes nearby if you are early.
Departure time: Afternoons a few days a week, around 2:30pm from April to September and 3:30pm from October to March, so you are on the water at sunset. Your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 4 hours.
Fitness: Medium. You need intermediate riding ability and moderate fitness for the sand and the steep climbs to North Head. An e-bike is recommended but not essential.
Suits: Families with older children, couples, young adults and active travellers. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
Please note: The tour needs at least 2 guests to run. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Australia Day and Anzac Day.

What to bring

Comfortable clothes you can ride in (jeans are fine)
Closed-toe shoes, though many people ride in thongs
Sunscreen and a hat (it fits under the helmet)
A water bottle (the bikes hold about 600 ml; there is a filtered water station at the shop)
A rain jacket if rain is forecast (rain gear is sold at the shop)

What is included

Hybrid bike in your size (child bikes, baby seats and trail-alongs available)
Bonza helmet
Bike-mounted bag for small items such as a camera or wallet
Secure storage for your bags while you ride
A local guide
Return ferry from Circular Quay to Manly

Not included

Lunch and drinks
Water (sold at the shop, or fill your own bottle)
E-bike upgrade (extra cost, recommended)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We took good electric bikes on the ferry across to Manly Beach, and our guide explained everything really well.

Peter Doesburg Verified· Travelled 25th October 2026

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(5/5)

Michael was excellent, engaging and funny with lots of insight. A great tour of Manly with some bonus sights in The Rocks.

Kevin Hanft Verified· Travelled 6th April 2026

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