Who doesn’t love visiting places they’ve read about in books? My first novel, Laura the Explorer, is set in Sydney, Australia, though more specifically in and around Manly Beach area. While a lot of the locations are fictional, there are a few exceptions. (Plus certain real places that inspired fictional ones). So here they are – some of my favourite places in Sydney, which either feature in, or inspired, scenes from the book!
1. 4Pines Brew Pub, Manly Beach
The only bar that features as it’s real self in the book, this is the spot where Laura enjoys a pint while reading her book, and just happens to bump into a certain tanned, blue-eyed Volleyball Guy. Located across the road from the wharf (where you can catch the Manly Ferry), head upstairs to the brewpub, grab a beer and see if you can nab a seat out on the balcony. I’ve personally spent many afternoons exactly there, and a lot of the storylines from the book were formulated here, over a pint or two. Today the 4Pines has grown into a major beer label, and there are 4Pines bars and restaurants popping up all over Sydney. But back when I wrote Laura the Explorer, it was still privately owned, and the Manly brewpub was the one and only.
2. The promenade and the volleyball nets
Image source: Trip Advisor
Yes, you can walk all along Manly beach via the gorgeous scenic walkway, and observe all the fit, active people out and about! Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to see the true locals (e.g. the guys jogging without shirts on) – and if you’re lucky, there might be some hot guys playing volleyball while you’re there.
3. The Mudgee Food and Wine Festival at Balmoral Beach.
Image source: Yeates Wines | Sampling wines, circa 2015
Yes, this is a real festival! It’s usually held on either the first or second Sunday of August each year in the grassy parklands above Balmoral Beach. Wine sellers from Mudgee come along and set up stands, and you can taste a huge range of wines from the Mudgee region without leaving Sydney. One of my personal favourite days out each year, it definitely is a day of fun, sun and lots of wine.
4. Fairlight Beach
If you do find yourself in the Manly area, and want a beach a bit quieter where only the locals go, head off up the scenic walkway that is the start of the Manly to Spit Bridge walk. Soon you’ll come across Fairlight beach, Laura and Kalina’s favourite hangout, where they spent an afternoon lying on the sand and talking about boys.
5. Chica Bonita, Manly
Image source: Pinterest
Remember Laura’s first date with Darren (aka strawberry tart guy)? In the book, it takes place in a Mexican bar in the city, decked out with Day of the Dead paraphernalia and mosaiced tiles. While this is a fictional place, it is inspired by one of my favourite restaurants in Manly – Chica Bonita. Tucked away in the back alleyways near the Manly Library, if you’re in Manly at lunchtime then this place does one of the best burritos in Sydney. While it’s twice the size it used to be (it was formally a hole-in-the-wall joint opposite a florist’s shop), it still does trendy like nobody else around.
6. The Manly Ferry
As Laura’s daily transport to and from work, The Manly Ferry is a staple for a scenic trip around Sydney harbour. There’s actually three different ferry companies that operate, and jumping on one of the fast ferries means you can grab a cheeky beverage for the journey between Manly and Circular Quay.
And that’s pretty much it! Bookmark these places in your Google Maps, or wherever you plan your future trips. And don’t forget to check out the book to get the real Manly local vibe:
