What to know about Manly
- Manly counted 16,296 people at the 2021 Census, and their median age was 38.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census QuickStats (Manly (NSW))
- Residents aged 30 to 34 made up 12.3% of Manly at the 2021 Census, against 7.3% across New South Wales.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census QuickStats (Manly (NSW))
- 76.8% of Manly's occupied private dwellings were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census, and 31.5% of households were lone-person households.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census QuickStats (Manly (NSW))
- All fitness trainers on Northern Beaches Council public open space need an annual permit, with fees set by group size and by area, and North Steyne, South Steyne and Queenscliff are the premier sites.Source: Northern Beaches Council, Fitness Trainer Permit Application
- Northern Beaches trainers attach public liability insurance, their fitness accreditation and a first aid certificate to the permit application, and a site that is full goes to a first-come waitlist.Source: Northern Beaches Council, Fitness Trainer Permit Application
- The Manly Scenic Walkway to Spit Bridge is almost 10km long and takes 3 to 4 hours at a steady pace, with seven shorter section walks, including Manly to North Harbour Reserve at 1.6km.Source: Northern Beaches Council
- Northern Beaches Council finished its upgrade of the Manly to Spit walkway in July 2025, replacing boardwalks and staircases at Castle Rock and Fisher Bay with materials carried in and out by hand.Source: Northern Beaches Council news
Premier sites on the sand
Northern Beaches Council's fitness trainer permit is annual and compulsory for anyone training on its public open space, and the fees rise with the size of the group and the standing of the site. North Steyne, South Steyne and Queenscliff are the premier sites; everywhere else is priced lower. Groups are banded at one to two, three to eight and nine to 18 people. If the spot a trainer wants is taken, they go on a first-come waitlist. Manly sessions are often on the grass behind the beach for exactly that reason.
What the trainer shows the council
The application asks for public liability insurance, the trainer's fitness accreditation and a first aid certificate, and the council notes that restrictions apply at some locations and that it takes no responsibility for injury on its reserves, beaches or rockpools. That last line is a reminder to ask any trainer about their own insurance before the first session.
The Scenic Walkway
The Manly Scenic Walkway runs almost 10km from Manly to Spit Bridge over clifftops and through bush, a 3 to 4 hour walk in each direction, with seven shorter sections such as Manly to North Harbour Reserve at 1.6km. The council finished an upgrade in July 2025, rebuilding boardwalks and staircases at Castle Rock and Fisher Bay with everything carried in by hand. Stairs, sand and hills: a trainer here has no shortage of resistance, and Manly Dam adds trails inland.
Flats by the sea
Manly had 16,296 residents at the 2021 Census and a median age of 38. 12.3% were aged 30 to 34, 76.8% of dwellings were flats and 31.5% of households were one person. The council aquatic centre adds a gym and heated pools for the days the surf is up. Say in your enquiry whether you want the beach, a gym or your own living room.
AimFit is a referral service and nothing more: one enquiry to one Manly trainer. Send yours.
Manly questions
Why does my trainer want to train behind the beach rather than on it?
North Steyne, South Steyne and Queenscliff are the council's premier permit sites, so they cost trainers more and fill first.
How long is the walk to the Spit?
The council puts the Manly Scenic Walkway at almost 10km, or 3 to 4 hours at a steady pace.