A beachfront stay in Manly offers a welcome chance to recharge, with enough indulgence to make it feel like a proper holiday.
I can’t speak for everyone, but it’s about this time every year the proverbial wheels start to fall off. My ambitious New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten and silly season is approaching faster than my bank account–or my social battery–is ready for.
As much as I’d love to take off on a fly-and-flop holiday to Bali or the Whitsundays, an annual leave allocation already stretched to its limit means I’m limited to something closer to home. Fortunately for me, the Manly Elysium has just opened wellness suites that were able to give me some much-needed restoration. And as a bonus, it’s only an hour from home.
What is a ‘wellness suite’?
The Manly Elysium has recently introduced six new wellness suites, each facing Manly Beach with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. The suites open up onto a beachfront terrace that houses a private infrared sauna that’s yours alone to use during your stay, along with lounge chairs for enjoying the view. If you’re an early riser, I recommend getting up for sunrise–sipping a coffee as you watch the pink and orange hues dance over the ocean is an unbeatable way to start a restorative weekend.
The beachfront terrace has enough space to make the most of the fitness equipment in the suite. (Credit: Georgette Barling)
The two person sauna is a dreamy post-sunrise activity. (Credit: Georgette Barling)
Lounge chairs on the terrace help you make the most of the sea view. (Credit: Georgette Barling)
You also have access to compression boots and an LED mask during your stay, with yoga mats, fitness equipment and virtual Pilates classes in your room for keeping up with your fitness regime. The thoughtfully curated room is heavily focused on recovery, with blackout curtains that help you sleep as late as you like, and a complimentary minibar full of health-focused food and beverages.
Location
The panoramic sea views are what make the suite really special. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
The hotel sits on North Steyne, directly across the road from Manly Beach, so getting your daily dose of salt water requires very little effort. If you’re a runner, there’s also no better place to tick off your morning miles. The Corso is a couple of minutes’ walk away, putting shops, cafes and restaurants within easy reach should you feel inclined to venture beyond the hotel.
For those like myself coming from the city, catching the ferry from Circular Quay makes for a suitably scenic start to a weekend away. I was lucky enough to see a spectacular sunset over the Harbour Bridge and do some whale watching en route that made me feel very lucky to be a Sydneysider, so sometimes leaving the car at home is the best option.
Either way, once you arrive, you can leave the car out of the equation and let the hotel’s valet service park it for you while you settle into a routine of beach swims, coffee stops and very few firm plans.
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Style and character
The calming interiors flowed well with the view. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
This bed and the blackout curtains can claim the credit for my 11-hour sleep. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
If the hotel looks familiar but the name doesn’t, you’re probably remembering it as the Manly Pacific. It became Elysium Manly in August 2026, following an extensive refurbishment that included a $40 million transformation of the rooms and suites by Coco Republic. Elysium has a much-loved property in Noosa, so the expansion to Sydney is an exciting development for lovers of luxury hotels.
The interiors take their cues from the beach outside, with pale timber, natural textures and soft coastal colours that make the rooms feel calm without being bland. There’s plenty to appreciate inside, but with huge windows everywhere you look, the Pacific Ocean remains the star of the show.
The wellness suites take that relaxed feeling a step further. Having everything from yoga equipment to a sauna within reach means there’s very little organising required, which is particularly welcome when you’ve come away to give your brain a break. Each suite also comes with a dedicated VIP Host, adding yet another touch to a stay that makes slowing down feel very easy.
Facilities
A plush robe is a wellness weekend non-negotiable. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
The bathroom came with everything you could need, including a Dyson hairdryer. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
It's also stocked with products from Australian luxury brand IKKARI. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
The 5-star facilities of The Elysium stretch far beyond what’s in the wellness suite. On the roof you’ll find a glittering infinity pool that overlooks the beach, with a nearby pool bar if you’re after an afternoon cocktail while you enjoy one of the best views in Manly.
If the fitness equipment in the room isn’t enough, guests get complimentary access to Manly Beach Health Club where you’ll find all the free weights and cardio equipment you’d usually find in a gym, along with Pilates, strength and yoga classes you can book.
During my second night at the hotel, I wanted to spend as much time as possible in my suite. After a sunset sauna, I had a nourishing shower using the luxurious IKKARI products, blow-dried my hair using the Dyson Supersonic in the room and slid into the plush Elysium robe. I then used the Chromecast to connect my phone to the smart TV, put on a comfort movie and ordered a glass of red wine and a burger to be delivered to my room. If there’s a more restorative evening lineup than that, I can’t quite imagine it.
Burgers just taste better when delivered to you in bed. (Credit: Jessica O'Donnell)
My night in started well before the sun went down. (Credit: Jessica O'Donnell)
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Food and drink
I spent two nights at the Elysium, which was fabulous for obvious reasons, particularly because it meant I had the opportunity to sample a strong variety of the food options the hotel has on offer.
During my first night, I headed down to the hotel’s bar, 55 North, for a pre-dinner tipple. The vibe is sultry, with low lighting, a roaring fireplace, and one of the best martinis I’ve had in a long time. Yes, this was a wellness weekend but I’m never going to turn down a martini. It’s all about balance.
Dinner was at Cibaria Manly, which I’d heard so many gushing reviews about I feared there was no way it could live up to my sky-high expectations. Once the food started arriving though, I knew I needn’t have worried. The hatted, Italian piazza-inspired restaurant has a menu that makes it tough not to over-order. If you’ve got a booking coming up, please trust me and order the scallops and the wagyu beef bresaola–I’ve been dreaming about these dishes ever since. My only complaint about Cibaria is that it’s too hard to narrow down the menu to what you can comfortably eat in one sitting, so if you’re anything like me, you’ll leave planning your next visit.
Cibaria has a very European vibe. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
I'm already planning my meal for when I'm back next, (Credit: Elise Hassey)
Each morning I headed down to Bistro Manly for breakfast, which serves breakfast buffet-style. When I think of a buffet breakfast, it brings to mind trays of sausages and soggy bacon, but the expansive offering at Elysium Manly’s buffet is just as well thought out as the rest of the hotel. It still has the classics (you won’t have to go without pancakes, don’t worry) while also offering everything you’d want for a more health-conscious breakfast. There’s a juicer with a selection of fruits to make your own juice, a range of yoghurt options and all the toppings you could dream of, smoky baked beans and eggs however you’d like them.
Verdict and details
I arrived at Elysium Manly wanting a little time out and left feeling like I’d actually had it. Having a sauna on my own terrace made it easy to slow down, while the ocean views and a very comfortable bed gave me plenty of reasons to stay put. Add in dinner at Cibaria and a beach on your doorstep, and it’s a getaway I’d happily repeat.
The wellness suites are a lovely option for anyone who wants to prioritise rest without committing to a strict retreat schedule. You can fit in a workout, spend an afternoon in your robe or order a martini with dinner. For me, having the freedom to do all three was a big part of the appeal.
Best for: A wellness weekend Address: 55 North Steyne, Manly NSW 2095 Bookings: Elysium Hotels Manly Rate: From $1200 per night for a wellness suite, $450 per night for other rooms at the Manly Elysium
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See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.
By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.
From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.
This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.
1. Share in ghostly tales
Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)
If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.
You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.
2. Wander art installations
See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)
Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.
For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.
3. Learn through lasers
Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)
Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.
The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.
4. Light up the lake
Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)
Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.
You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.
5. Be captivated by local culture
Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)
Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.
Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.
6. Discover a winter glow
See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)
Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.
Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.
Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.
