Australia>Manly>Manly: Sydney's Playground
As one of Sydney's top tourist destinations people have been flocking to Manly on the ferry since the 1800s to experience the sun, surf and laidback lifestyle, but have you ever stopped to ask how Manly became a tourist hotspot? 

Let the founding father of Manly take you on a tour that will give you a glimpse into the past as he reminisces about his experiences developing the area. This is the perfect walking tour for visitors and locals alike who want to know more about Manly's hidden history.
Made by Cathy Natasha Anakaria Ellis
⏱ 1–2 hrs📍 12 stopsfrom $11.99
🌐 Play in 🇬🇧 English
CHOOSE YOUR PASS

How many are playing?

Unlock · A$11.99
No booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing Played 58 times

Live in Manly? The Annual Pass is how locals play · A$109.99/yr. See the Annual Pass

Places you will visit

12

It will take you

66-96 mins

You will walk

3810 steps

Total distance

2.9 km

What you'll actually do

  1. Download the Questo app and unlock the quest. Walk to Manly wharf whenever you like · no guide, no group, no time slot.

  2. Solve 12 puzzles hidden in the streets around you. Each one you crack unlocks the next location.

  3. Finish at Steyne Court and see where you land on the Manly leaderboard.

Highlights

  • Who founded Manly as a tourist destination

  • Visit some hidden gems that even some locals have missed!

  • Discover the hot potato club

  • See the Manly kangaroo

  • Learn about some of the many amusements Manly has had over the years

Ratings and Reviews

4.08

24 ratings

5 Stars
42%
4 Stars
38%
3 Stars
13%
2 Stars
4%
1 Star
4%
Reviews
Sort by

Steven Lewis

08 Aug 2026
Great fun, and nice to be taken off the beaten track around Manly

Maggie

26 Jul 2026

Adam Liaw

22 Jun 2025

tam

08 Feb 2025

lpuffer123

07 Jul 2024

A note from Cathy Natasha Anakaria Ellis

“Cathy loves stepping back into the past and discovering new things about old places. She is currently working on a debut historical fiction novel set during the Australian gold rush. When she’s not writing, she’s exercising or solving puzzles, which is why she loves Questo.”

Meet the maker

The mission: Your story in Manly

You have just stepped off of the ferry for a fun day out in Manly. 

You were thinking of going surfing or maybe snorkelling, when a mysterious friendly old man approaches you thinking that you are here for the walking tour. 

He seems to know an awful lot about the history of Manly and its historic sites.

Beat the best: Top Manly explorers

MaggieRookie
3600 XP
ShivriRookie
3600 XP
Adam Liaw
Adam LiawRookie
3600 XP

Good to know before you play

  • Varied terrain/elevation, may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
  • Family friendly
  • Route open 24/7 but better during daylight hours
  • We recommend not playing at night

Compare Questo vs. Guided Walking Tours

Flexibility

Regular Guided Tours

Fixed schedules & no pausing

Questo

Start, pause, and resume anytime

Privacy

Regular Guided Tours

Crowds of up to 30 strangers

Questo

Private experience for your group only

Pricing

Regular Guided Tours

$30–$60 (€23–€50) per person

Questo

Transparent pricing shown before checkout

Availability

Regular Guided Tours

Requires advance booking

Questo

Instant access 24/7/365

Experience

Regular Guided Tours

Passive listening to a guide

Questo

Active gamification; you solve the mystery

Joined by 1,000,000+ explorers worldwide

Guided tour pricing: Comprehensive Economic Analysis of Guided Tour Pricing, EU and US markets, 2026. Standard 2–3 hour group walking tours.

HISTORY AND CULTURE IN MANLY

Explore Manly through

Manly: Sydney's Playground is a self-guided story walk in Manly, designed for travelers who want history and local culture. Its story centers on.

The route starts at Manly wharf and finishes at Steyne Court over 2.9 km, with 12 challenge locations. The page specifically identifies St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Manly Oval and Manly wharf along the experience. Practical fit: 2.9 km route; Typical duration: 81 minutes; 12 location-based challenges; Playable in English.

Choose this for a self-guided story and puzzle route. Choose a guided walking tour when live commentary and asking a guide questions matter more. Playable languages: English.

Download Questo and playin the real world

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Have an unlock code?