What's Happening in Manly Cove

Manly Cove is getting a new look, with work planned or underway for Wharf 3, the Wharf Hotel, Hugos, the old aquarium site and Manly Pavilion.

On one side of Manly Wharf, the Wharf Hotel is getting a revamp and Wharf 3 is set for a major upgrade. On the other side, Hugos will extend its overwater dining area. And at the Western end of the Cove, planning is underway for the old aquarium site, Manly Surf n Slide is up for sale and The Pavilion restaurant has a new owner.

Manly Wharf Hotel is in the middle of a complete rebuild to re-emerge as a more open-plan establishment with a new restaurant out the front. There’s a brand new kitchen and an imported-from-Italy pizza oven which will form the centrepiece of the new waterfront restaurant. Sadly, the weeknight specials have not survived the upgrade. The jetty bar has already reopened, and the main bar area and new restaurant will follow in November.

Image:  The steps down to Wharf 3.

​Manly Wharf 3 is a simple timber jetty with tidal steps that are difficult or impossible to manage for people with mobility needs or anyone with a pram or bicycle. It’s owned by the State Government, and will get an upgrade to the tune of $25M, as part of the Government’s maritime stimulus spend on infrastructure and safety work. Transport for NSW, the Government body which owns the site, is carrying out environmental investigations this month, and a concept design for the new wharf should be up for public consultation in a few weeks. As well as being fully accessible, the new wharf will have an improved waiting area and a “respectful design that considers the heritage and history of Manly Cove”, according to a Transport for NSW site.

Transport for NSW is also the owner of the abandoned Manly Sea Life aquarium site and will carry out up to $9M of remediation works to prepare the site for future use. Both Northern Beaches Council and local State MP James Griffin would prefer the building was pulled down to create public open space and open up views to Federation Pt, however other options will also be considered. The Manly Sea Life project is at the initial planning stage, with engagement with the public expected to start in early December.

More on Wharf 3 and the aquarium site here. 

Image:  The old Sea Life Aquarium site, in front of Manly Pavilion. 

Hugos restaurant is also planning a change. It will expand its outdoor deck by building further out over the water. The expansion, which will allow an additional 40 seats, will not start before the middle of next year when the penguin breeding season is over. As the new work will all be over water, no public space will be lost from the wharf. As a bonus Hugos will refurbish and landscape the public boardwalk in front of the restaurant.

The heritage-listed Manly Pavilion has been taken over by the Boathouse hospitality group in a multi-million dollar deal. After a financial collapse two years ago,  Boathouse is now under new ownership, and will add the harbourfront Manly Pavilion site to its increasing portfolio, which includes the popular Boathouse cafe at Shelly Beach. After a facelift, the Manly Pavilion Boathouse will open in early 2022.