Manly was visited and named by Captain Arthur Phillip at the same time as Sydney, between 21st and 23rd January, 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip was impressed with the confident and manly behaviour of the Aboriginal people of the Cannalgal and Kayimai clans who waded out to his boat in North Harbour when he was exploring Port Jackson in January 1788. He gave the name Manly Cove to the place where they first met but its exact location is uncertain.
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Manly remained isolated for many years. It was a long journey of 70 miles by road from Sydney - through Parramatta, Hunter's Hill, Lane Cove and Narrabeen. The other route involved crossing the water by punts at North Sydney and The Spit.
There was a very small population which was able to eke out a living from fishing or farming when Henry Gilbert Smith, the founder of the village, arrived in 1853.
In June 1855, Henry Gilbert Smith wrote to his brother in England "the amusement I derive in making my improvements in Manly is, no doubt, the cause of my greater enjoyment, in fact I never feel a dull day while there. I should long ere this have been with you if it had not been for this hobby of mine, in thinking I am doing good in forming a village or watering place for the inhabitant of Sydney".
He purchased large tracts of land with the vision of Manly, with its splendid ocean beach and sheltered sandy coves, becoming 'the favourite resort of the Colonists'. He initiated a ferry service, built hotels and donated land for schools and churches. He also built a camera obscura, a maze and a stone kangaroo to attract visitors. He laid out a grand plan for Manly but changed this later to a more pragmatic design with smaller blocks of land.
Manly Council was incorporated as a local government body on 6th January 1877.
Manly's development was slow but by 1880 it had become a thriving seaside resort.
For the whole story about this fascinating area, read the award-winning Seven Miles from Sydney: A History of Manly by Pauline Curby, published by Manly Council, 2001.
It is available at Manly Library, Manly Council Chambers, Art Gallery & Museum and local bookstores for $54.95 (including GST) for the softcover edition, $69.95 (including GST) for the 2nd edition hardcover.