It’s official, Manly’s The Corso, the bustling thoroughfare, known for its lively atmosphere and rich history, and often understood as the ‘gateway to the Northern Beaches’, has been awarded NSW’s Favourite Pedestrian City Street by the Urban Design Association. 

It was a hotly contested win, with only 3 votes separating the top 2 streets, with The Corso taking out the win over Burns Bay Road in Lane Cove and George Street in Sydney CBD. 

The Corso has been pedestrianised since 1977, after a 6-month trial was launched, closing part of the street to traffic. A Carnivale was held during this time with 15,000 people attending and the community’s response was overwhelmingly positive to the trial. On 16 June 1979, The Corso was officially opened to pedestrians by Mayor Thornburn in front of a big crowd. As part of the celebrations, pigeons and balloons were released with a helicopter fly over. You can see archive photos and find out more about the history of The Corso on our Library’s History Hub. 

Today, Manly welcomes over 5.8 million international and domestic tourists and day-trippers (Economy.id 23/24 figures) with The Corso boasting global and independent traders, buskers, water features and playgrounds. Bustling side-streets and laneways now enrich the experience of visiting Manly with restaurants and bars, cafes and boutiques to explore. 

Summer is the busiest time of year for Manly, with The Corso bursting with energy – don’t miss your chance to soak it all in and plan your own visit. Visit Hello Manly to find out more.