Manly Jazz Festival in Sydney

This is one of my favourite times of the year in Sydney. Yes, it's spring here in this beautiful city but there are a few events which I always look forward to.

Apart from the Sculptures by the Sea in Bondi beach, there is the Manly Jazz Festival.

This event showcase some really good local jazz musicians playing in an open stage just next to Manly beach where the road is closed for the event. As much as I am a musician myself and love to listen to good music, this can sometimes be secondary.

Firstly, Manly is a beautiful place about 15km north of Sydney CBD. It attracts a lot of tourists each year because visitors can take a ferry from Circular Quay in the city and enjoy the harbour views coming up to Manly for some fish and chips or simply have a beer in one of the local cafes and restaurants. It is very vibrant, especially during weekends when the weather and the surf is good. Nothing like sitting around and sip on some chardonnay and fresh Sydney rock oysters whilst soaking up the sun and the views.

Anyway, back to the Manly Jazz Festival. Not only is there good music on offer, there is an array of food and wine, showcasing some of Australia's best drops and a multitude of open air food stalls. I like to come with friends around mid morning and then graze and nibble on food and drinks all day whilst listening to great music in a fantastic atmosphere where everyone is pretty much in a holiday mode.

The food on offer include cuisines from different cultures - Mediterranean, Italian, Chinese, local Australian such as a good old sausage sizzle with a beer in hand, Greek, Thai and Vietnamese.

The good thing is you can leave your car at home, come to the festival by ferry and go home the same way. You get to enjoy Sydney harbour twice, once when you are happy and the second time when you are even more merry!

Another favourite activity among visitors to Manly is to take the Spit bridge to Manly walk. Spit bridge (well, that's going to be another hub), is approximately 3km south of Manly and instead of driving all the way to Manly beach, a popular option is to park the car at Spit bridge and then take a scenic walk along the coastline up to Manly.

On a sunny day, which is most days in Sydney, many visitors will choose this option for simply for the scenic walk and some exercise. During the Manly Jazz Festival, finding a park around Manly can be a nightmare, hence the drive and park at Spit bridge.

Die-hard Manly locals will tell you that Manly is a great suburb to live in because of the following attributes:

• Manly is a beautiful beach which is away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
• Manly has a holiday and laid-back feel and atmosphere as cafes and restaurants are pretty much open to all-day dining by the beach. This place is a melting pot of sun, surf, fish and chips, bare-foot walkabout, sun-lover's paradise in the height of summer.
• The ferry service makes Manly accessible from the city via one of the most beautiful ferry rides through Sydney.
• For local footy fans, the Manly rugby league (Manly Sea Eagles) is an institution to be worshiped before going to bed each night.
• Oh, and you have the Manly Jazz Festival each year to rave about.

Maybe they have a point after all. See you at the festival.

Cheers.

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