Aloha! It’s wonderful to be back in Australia representing the US as an adventure surfer with my Alison’s Adventures Film Series at the Australian Open Of Surfing! Over the week I got to experience all the fun adventures in Manly, home of the world-renowned competition, AND the birthplace of surfing in Australia!

Here is my Manly bucket list:

1. Shelly Beach Snorkeling and lunch at the Boathouse

I dove down under in Manly to check out what the fishes are doing beneath the Australian Open of Surfing. I was blown away by how much marine life happily frolics around in the shallows, and Shelly Beach is easily accessible by all ages! After a snorkel, check out the quaint and yummy Boathouse Shelly Beach for some lunch and a coconut.

2. Stand Up Paddle from Manly Wharf to Store Beach

I love to use eco transportation as much as possible! I hopped on my bike from Manly Bike Tours and rode 3 minutes away to Manly Kayak Centre where I hired a Stand Up Paddle Board for the afternoon and paddled across about an hour to Store Beach – a magical little cove only accessible by sea.

3. Sunrise

Sunrise in Manly is Surf O’Clock! Whether you want to paddle out for a wave, sit on the soft sand or walk the coast, sunrise is not to be missed!

And walk over to Bare Naked Bowls for a healthy smoothie or acai bowl.  Two of my other favorite food finds in Manly are: Manly Wine and Hemingways.

4. Taronga Zoo

Taking a break from the Australian Open of Surf, I got to hang out with orphaned wallabies, kangaroos, and quokkas at their education centre.

Taronga Zoo has happy animals from all over the world, including giraffes! Through all my adventures this was the first time I’ve even seen a giraffe and I still can’t get over how long their necks are! Wild! They sure would come in handy to check the surf!

5. Team up with a local

There is nothing like teaming up with a local and I was lucky to meet up with Hayden Quinn who is the “Quinn-tessential Australian! Hayden is a pro chef, lifeguard, TV host and he took me to surf where Duke Kahanamoku (the father of modern day surfing) first surfed in Australia! Manly was actually the birthplace of surfing down under!

If you like food and an inside look at Aussie life, check out Hayden’s vlogs on youtube. He’ll be posting one of our adventure soon!

6. Give back!

It was quite a heart warming experience to team up with two super rad, eco, pro surf gals Flick Palmateer & Eliza Greene and take dozens of young girls surfing for the first time as part of the government’s new major health campaign called Girls Make Your Move!

The only thing better then surfing your first wave is seeing the look of pure joy when you help someone else catch their first wave!

7. Go for your dreams!

Congrats Nikki Van Dijk on winning the Australian Open Of Surfing!

Mahalos for ultimate experience down under! Check out all my Alison’s Adventures social media channels for more about my adventure in Manly! instagram · youtube · facebook

Now I’m off to Byron Bay for some surf, sun, and more saving the world! ????