This place is magic for the under 5s and their grandparents. There are four courts for indoor…read morecricket, basket ball, netball and soccer. These are transformed in the daytime to playgrounds for the kids. Two courts are joined and are filled with push toys and jumping castle. The other two are leased out to soccer joeys for 3-5 and a sports group for toddlers. Grab a coffee and watch the gremlins exhaust themselves before lunch.

Wave pool! Steam room.. Sauna.. Spas.. Two indoor basketball courts. Squash courts.. Public…read morelibrary.. This place is the best! The staff are always friendly and helpful. Centre opens early - around 5ish I think and closes by around 9ish.. Great place to bring the kids

Absolutely amazing experience, and I don't think I would've had as good a time without our…read moreinstructor, Nick. It was a group of 4 students to 1 instructor. If you've read my other reviews, you'd know Hubby and I have had more than the average number of lessons, and we do go out on our own at home in San Diego, but we'd like to get a lesson at any new beach when available. And thank GOODNESS we did here on this particular day. The other two students both have surfed only once with a lesson before, and it seemed everyone loved the experience. Nick took the time to understand our abilities first, then assessed the surf and decided on the best spot for the easiest time paddling out. A bit of a work out just carrying the boards a good quarter mile down the beach. It was incredibly choppy that day, so he instructed us to paddle out right in the riptide, then cut across the sand bank to the line up. It all worked out beautifully, and I got some amazing waves with Nick giving me a push and telling me exactly when to pop up, even rode in on the super intimidating overhead ones I normally probably would be too scared to try. However, when I took a break on the beach, the second time paddling out was exponentially more difficult. Nick was able to push my board, with me on it, past these crazy waves, because I was about to turn around and give up. Another student had an emergency, and he was able to go help her, then come back and continue to push me past the breaking waves, so that I could get one more ride back to shore. I absolutely trust him to keep everyone safe and still make sure each person have a great time. Overall, probably top 2-3 surfing lesson across the 20+ we've had! Equipment was fairly new and in good shape. Changing facilities were basic but serviceable.

Believe the hype. Group lesson, $70, just book online or give them a call. It's super easy to…read morefind because it's in the basement of the permanent looking shack in the middle of the beach with bathrooms and changing rooms. They set you up with a wetsuit and board, and take you out for two hours. Our instructor Nick was remarkably enthusiastic cheering "woohoo" as people made it up on the board on our first day. Would definitely do another lesson if I am back in town. Oh right! Manly is super easy to get to. You just take the ferry (every 10-20 minutes) from Circular Quay by the opera house then walk ten minutes north east to manly beach from the ferry terminal at Manly.

Macquarie University Sports and Aquatic Centre…read more Like many things at Macquarie University, it's sporting and athletics complex has been recently renovated. Although universally refered to as «the gym» by students, the Macquarie University Sports and Aquatic Centre is actually so much more. The complex's facilities are extremely impressive; no matter what time of day or night you find yourself there, you rarely need to wait to use your chosen piece of equipment; a pleasant contrast to many gyms around the 6pm mark. The centre also offers its members free use of its multiple squash, tennis, basketball and netball courts, as well as its indoor and outdoor pools. Swimming lessons for all ages are available here, as well as squads and the ability to leisurely push yourself up and down the pool for as long as humanely possible. The cafe attached to the gym is widely considered to produce the best coffee on campus, and - bonus! - there's never a line. In case you've committed the rookie error of coming for a swim and forgotten your swimmers, the Sports and Aquatic Centre stocks a full range of swimming costumes and goggles, plus a formidable range of other affiliated gym gear. Plus, there is a carpark with two hours of free parking - happy days! The centrex also has an impressive range of classes, at a range of times deeply convenient to uni students on campus for the day. Wanna try Tai Chi? Now's your chance! Pilates? Body Attack? Body Pump? Spin? All the old favourites - plus some newcomers on the gym class scene, the most obvious being Zumba - are avaiable. Plus, they come at student (and working-professional, obviously) friendly prices; for the non-member, classes are only $10 a pop! Compare that with the Fitness First's of the world.... If team sport is your thing, then you're also covered; the Sports and Aquatic Centre's mind blowingly popular social netball is offered three nights per week, while social touch football and soccer are on twice weekly. For the less traditional, you can partake in weekly competitive badminton. (I'm not joking). The centre's staff are also always friendly and courteous, the bathrooms clean and the lockers available. Plus, the value is astonishingly good. A membership with the Sports and Aquatic Centre feautres no lock-in contract, no joining fee and a getting-started session with a personal trainer. Students, staff and alumni of Macquarie University are lucky to receive a discounted rate, but others will still find this membership won't break the bank!

It's as good as Fitness First, but cheaper. A lot cheaper, especially if you're a Macquarie…read morestudent. There's a wide choice of group fitness classes with knowledgeable instructors. Gym is well-equipped with fairly new weights & cardio equipments. Other facilities include outdoor & indoor pools, squash courts, basketball / badminton courts.