Manly Beach

Manly Beach is a well-known beach situated in Sydney's Northern Beaches, Australia. From north to south, the three main sections are Queenscliff, North Steyne, and South Steyne.

Within a short walk of Manly Beach along the oceanway is Fairy Bower and Shelley Beach. There are many shops, famous restaurants, night clubs, and dive bars in town; locals people called "corso". Many young people live in Manly and prefer to commute by ferry into the city, which only takes about half hour to the city. Manly beach also adjacent to Sydney Harbour National Park, Fairy Bower is one of the few large wave surfing spots in Sydney and produces a long right hand wave breaking over a reef. Shelly Beach (and the surrounding Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve) is a popular for scuba diving and is the only beach on Australia's east coast which faces inland.

The beach was named by Capt. Arthur Phillip for the indigenous people living there. He wrote about them, "Their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place".

Manly Beach is highly popular with tourists and locals alike; a popularity rivaled only by the famous Bondi Beach south of the harbour. Manly Council Lifeguards operate a year-round service at South Steyne, and operate from October to April at North Steyne and Queenscliff. Volunteer Life Savers also patrol on weekends and public holiday between October and May.

This beach has long been a fascination for poets (most notably Bruce Beaver), artists and photographers.

Travelling to Manly from Sydney's main ferry terminal, Circular Quay, takes 30 minutes by ferry. The Corso, a pedestrian plaza and one of Manly's main streets for shopping and dining, runs from the ferry wharf and harbour beach all the way across the peninsula to Manly Beach, where it marks the boundary between North Steyne and South Steyne.

Maroubra, New South Wales

Maroubra Beach

Maroubra is a beachside suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Maroubra is located 10 kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Randwick. Maroubra is the largest suburb in the area governed by Randwick City Council in both size and population. Maroubra Junction is a locality in the centre of the suburb.

History

1800's

Maroubra is a local Aboriginal word meaning place of thunder (lieu de tonnerre). In 1861, the first house was built in the area by Humphrey McKeon. A number of other settlers arrived on the land in the 1870s to work on the wool scouring works located at the northern end of the bay.

The suburb first made headlines on the 6 May 1898, when the Hereward, a fully rigged iron ship weighing 1,513 tons, was caught by the gale force winds and shipwrecked at the northern end of Maroubra Beach while heading north toward Newcastle. The shipwreck remained on the beach for a number of years until a failed attempt to refloat it was made by building a coffer dam around the wreck. Hereward Street in Maroubra is named after the event.

Maroubra beach circa 1900

1900's

Major residential development only began in the 1910s after Herbert Dudley, a real estate developer, subdivided the land into residential blocks. Herbert Dudley also lobbied for the extension of the tramline to Maroubra Junction in 1912, where he had built Dudley's Emporium which has just recently been redeveloped. More crown land was released for residential use in the 1920s and the tram line was extended to Maroubra Beach in 1921.

Between 1925 and 1934, the Olympia Motor Speedway was located in South Maroubra at the corner of Anzac Parade and Fitzgerald Avenue. However, due to the dangerous nature of the concrete track, a number of deaths occurred and it was closed after only nine years of operation. Coral Sea Park and surrounding estates was announced on the site in 1947 and formally completed in 1961. The estates and park was given its namesake from the 1942 battle; The battle of the Coral Sea.

2000's

Unfortunately, in 2005, Maroubra was named as one of the suburbs involved in the Cronulla Riots, after more than 100 cars were vandalised in relation to the riots between Middle Eastern and Anglo youth. In 2006, Maroubra Beach became the second Australian beach to be named a National Surfing Reserve (the first beach being Bells Beach in Victoria).

The Hereward wrecked on Maroubra Beach, May 1898

Retail of Maroubra Beach

Maroubra Junction and Surrounding Areas

Maroubra Junction is one of the main shopping areas in the district and is home to Pacific Square shopping centre (built on the area once known as Stockland Mall, Maroubra). Pacific Square shopping centre has an outdoor eating area on Anzac Parade, Coles and Aldi supermarkets, many specialty shops as well as being home to the area's Australia Post outlet. Commercial developments are also found along Anzac Parade, Maroubra Road and surrounding streets, including Dudley's Emporium which was the first shopping centre in Maroubra Junction built in 1912 and has been recently redeveloped.

Maroubra Beach and Surrounds

There are also a handful of shopping districts besides Maroubra Junction including the areas surrounding Maroubra Beach. One of them including the once-thriving Lexington Place. Known as "Lexo" to the locals, Lexington Place has become a notorious 'no go zone' in the area as result of high rates of crime, often blamed by the high concentration of Housing Commission estates. McKeon Street is the street running straight onto the beach, it is home to a stretch of shops including some well known restaurants in the area.

South Maroubra

South Maroubra Shopping Village, know as "The Village", is located in South Maroubra and is home to many well-known shops including a late night pharmacy, Walsh's Pharmacy as well as Maroubra's only Woolworths supermarket.It is also next door to the well known Sands Hotel. The Village and South Maroubra Village Green are home to the Christmas Carols every year. The once prominent Duffy's Corner is located on the border of Maroubra (South Maroubra end), Matraville and Malabar.

Hotels of Maroubra Beach

Current

• Glasshouse (Since 1947) - The licence of the Golden Grove Hotel was transferred from Darlington to new premises on the corner of Anzac Parade and Boyce Road, Maroubra Junction in February 1947. The hotel has more recently changed its name to the Glasshouse Hotel.
• The Sands Hotel (Since 1972) - A hotel in South Maroubra alongside South Maroubra Shopping Village.
• Maroubra Junction Hotel (Unknown Opening Date)- A hotel in Maroubra Junction across Maroubra Road from Pacific Square.
• Ocean View Tavern (Since 2010) - In an attempt to popularise the mostly vacant area surround Maroubra Beach, the Maroubra Bay Hotel premises was revitalised and re-opened under the name of the Ocean View Tavern.
• Juniors @ The Junction (Since 2009) - The result of a merger with South Sydney Junior Rugby League Club (Kingsford) and the struggling Maroubra Returned and Services League (RSL) Club. The club is on the site of the former Maroubra RSL club on Anzac Parade and Haig Street. 

Former

• Maroubra Bay Hotel (1926 - 2010) - Popular after World War I due to the extension of the tram line to the beach, the construction of a promenade and bathing sheds. Due to a downturn in trade the hotel closed in early 2010.
• Trade Winds (1972–2002) - Maroubra Junction on Maroubra Road. 2002 saw the hotel converted into apartments. The Trade Winds Brasserie is all that's left of the old hotel.
• Maroubra RSL (2000-2009)- The struggling Maroubra Returned and Services League (RSL) Club merged with South Sydney Junior Leagues Club in order to keep the premise open due to poor income. It was reopened under the name "Juniors @ The Junction".

Transportation of Maroubra Beach

Roads

Anzac Parade leads directly from Moore Park to La Perouse through Maroubra Junction via Kensington and Kingsford. Anzac Parade begins at the end Flinders and Oxford Streets which leads traffic out of the CBD. Cleveland Street runs onto Anzac Parade connecting the inner-city suburbs such as Surry Hills, Darington and Camperdown as well as Central Station and Railway Square to Maroubra.

Buses

Regular bus services run from Maroubra Junction to the city including route numbers 394, 399, 396 and 397. The 394 and 399 originate from La Perouse and Little Bay (respectively) while 396 and 397 originate from Maroubra Beach and South Maroubra, respectively.

The 400 and 410 run from Maroubra Junction in two directions; Bondi Junction, Randwick and Waverley to the north and Eastgardens, the airport, Rockdale and Burwood to the south. Central Station and Railway Square can be accessed through the Railway Square buses (393 and 395) as well as the Metro10 bus service which goes through the inner-city, past Queen Victoria Building and continues along Broadway to provide services to the University of Sydney and Leichhardt. Other services run through Maroubra providing locals with routes into more suburban areas such as Coogee, South Coogee, and Randwick.

Trams

The former Maroubra tram line opened from Anzac Parade to Maroubra Bay in 1921. The line branched of the main line to La Perouse at the intersection of Anzac Parade and Maroubra Road, travelling east along Maroubra Road, Cooper Street, French Street and Mons Avenue before terminating in a balloon loop in Marine Parade at Maroubra Bay Beach. The line was double track throughout, and passed through several tram reservations on its descent down to the beach. Direct services operated from Circular Quay and Railway Square. The line closed in 1961. The current route of bus 397 now covers this route.

Maroubra Beach and parklands

Maroubra Beach stretches for approximately 1 km on Maroubra Bay. Mahon Pool is located north of the beach, near Mistral Point. There are two surf clubs at Maroubra: Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club and South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club. Arthur Byrne Reserve sits behind both these clubs. A skating park is located at the southern end of Maroubra Beach.

Maroubra has a few large parklands, the most popular being the reserve along the waterfont at Maroubra Beach, called Arthur Byrne Reserve. The reserve has an enclosed children's playground to the north of the blue Pavilion building at North Maroubra, close to the car park. There are barbecue facilities and tables for picnickers. There are public ablution facilities inside the blue Pavilion building. Arthur Byrne Reserved is the home to the Oktoberfest/Fun Run every year.

Heffron Park, on Fitzgerald Avenue and between Bunnerong Road and Robey Street is a particularly large park. It accommodates the Des Renford Aquatic Centre with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, sports fields, parklands, and a two kilometre cycle track which is used for time trials and is accessible for public use at other times.

Nagle Park, on Wild Street between Walsh Street and Holden Street, is a flat parkland equipped for use as a sports facility. It is also a popular dog park, with dogs permitted off-lead.

Snape Park, on Snape Street between Hannan and Percival Streets is equipped with popular tennis facilities and sports fields and is frequently used for organised sporting events.

Central Park, at the corner of Cooper and Storey Streets, has a flat parkland with an excellent bicycle track for young children built of smooth concrete. This park also has playground equipment.

Coral Sea Park, south of Yorktown Parade, has a flat area that provides several sports fields. It has playground equipment at its south end.

Culture of Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is the most popular destination for conventions in Argentina after Buenos Aires. Mar del Plata has a wide range of services in this sector. The summer season hosts over fifty theatrical plays.

Shows and festivals

• The Mar del Plata International Film Festival, the only competitive accredited film festival in Latin America.
• The Fiesta Nacional del Mar ("National Sea Festival") with the election and coronation of the Sea Queen and her princesses, which takes place in December as the official inauguration of the summer season.
• The Premios Estrella de Mar ("Sea Star Awards") which honor the best stage plays and shows of the season.
• The Valencian Falles week, a local reenactment of the Valencian event conducted by the Valencian community.
• The Mar del Plata Fashion Show, along with a number of fashion parades that gathers the best haute couture designers.
• The Fiesta Nacional de los Pescadores (National Fishermen's Festival), a colourful display of seamen tradition and cuisine.
• Mar del Plata has also hosted the 1995 Pan American Games, the 2003 Parapan American Games, the 2005 FIBA Under-21 World Championship, and co-hosted the 1978 FIFA World Cup and the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.
• Since 1987 Mar del Plata annually hosts the Mar del Plata Marathon, in early December.

The local Government sponsors a stable Symphonic Orchestra, as well as a Conservatorium and a School of Classical and Modern Dance.

Nightlife

Mar del Plata has a wide variety of clubs located by district: the area of Alem street and Irigoyen (known for its quantity of pubs and nightclubs) and the coast and Constitution Avenue.

Museums

• The Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Museum of Art.
• The Museum of the Port of Mar del Plata Cleto Ciocchini.
• The Museum of Natural Science Lorenzo Scaglia, specialized in Paleontology of the Quaternary species around the region.
• The Mar del Plata Museum of the Sea, which includes one of the most complete collections of sea snails of the World.
• Villa Victoria, a vintage wooden house, the former residence of the late writer Victoria Ocampo, now a place for art expositions and classical music.

Notable people

• Alberto Bruzzone (1907–1994), painter, was born in San Juan but chose Mar del Plata as his home city.
• Alfonsina Storni (died 1938), famous Argentian Poet, who drowned herself in the waters at Mar del Plate: a statue still was erected near the beach.
• Ástor Piazzolla, composer and musician.
• Auro Tiribelli (1908–2006), architect, the main representative of the Mar del Plata style.
• Erica Bibbó (1985), the first female commander of a naval unit in the Argentine navy.
• Gabriel Gaby Amato, former international soccer player.
• Germán Mono Burgos, former goalkeeper. He played two World Cups. Currently, he is oriented to music.
• Guillermo Vilas, top tennis star in the 1970s.
• Héctor Babenco, movie director, who made Hollywood films like Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ironweed.
• Homero Cárpena (1910–2001), actor, playwright and filmmaker.
• Inés Arrondo, hockey player, winner along with the national team of an Olympic Silver medal in Sydney 2000 and a Bronze medal in Athens 2004.
• Juan Carlos Castagnino, painter.
• Juan Eduardo Esnáider, international soccer player. Former forward of Espanyol, Atlético de Madrid, Juventus, River Plate.
• Jorge Lanata, journalist and writer.
• Laura Echarte, agricultural engineer, researcher in crop physiology studies, winner of a 2007 L'Oreal-Unesco international fellowship for Women.
• Maria Gabriela Palomo, marine biologist, also winner of the L'Oreal-Unesco junior award in 2003 for her works on port-areas environmental pollution.
• Mario Benedetti (1945), electronics engineer, the main Argentine scientist involved in the Large Hadron Collider project. He is also the owner of Tío Curzio, one of the most fashionable restaurants in the city.
• Martin Donovan (not to be confused with American actor Martin Donovan), Hollywood screenwriter and producer, co-author of the screenplay of movies like Death Becomes Her and Loving Couples.
• Nacha Guevara, singer and actress.
• Ricardo Piglia, writer born in Adrogué but raised in Mar del Plata.

The common linguistic and social background of the city is that of the so called rioplatense culture.