Manly Boathouse Archives

Manly Mums Invited To Weekly Hot Mum Walk Club By The Bay

Hot Mum Walk Club: Manly is landing in the bayside routine every Monday morning at Manly Boathouse.

Mums can meet from 9am for coffee and a chat. The walk sets off around 9.30am and runs for about an hour along the waterfront.

It is based at 4 Trafalgar St, Manly. And it is open to mums who want to come on their own, bring the kids, or turn up with a support person.

Mums behind the idea

Becky and Kirstie are the local hosts. They say they wanted to create a space where mums could connect, talk and get outdoors without any pressure.

Between them, they are mums to four young children aged from 8 months to 5 years. Becky describes herself as an extrovert and says she loves meeting new people. Kirstie has lived in the Wynnum and Manly area for most of her life.

They say motherhood can feel lonely at times. So, they set up the walk to help mums find company and build friendships a little more easily.

Easy pace, no fuss

The organisers say the walk is relaxed and set at a pace that suits everyone. There is no need to rush, and no need to keep up with anyone else.

That may be the real drawcard here. It is a simple way to start the week with fresh air, a coffee and a bit of conversation.

The event page also says some mornings may finish with a play at the park. That gives little ones a chance to have a run around and meet other kids too.

Hot Mum Walk Club runs in several Brisbane suburbs, but Manly feels like a natural fit. The bayside backdrop does the heavy lifting. The rest is just showing up and joining in.

Hot Mum Walk Club: Manly meets every Monday at Manly Boathouse, 4 Trafalgar St, Manly, with the walk starting around 9.30am.

Published 5-August-2026

Manly Boathouse Lodges Plans for Major Waterfront Expansion

Photo credit: Manly Boathouse

A development application has been lodged to significantly expand the Manly Boathouse restaurant and function facility at Manly Marina.

Read: Fresh Catch: Manly Boathouse Launches New Seafood Market The Trawler

The application was submitted to Brisbane City in May 2026, seeking approval to extend the existing venue at 34 Fairlead Crescent into the vacant land sitting to its west.

Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A007024544

The proposal, designed by JA Design, calls for a two-storey building alongside a single-storey private dining area that would physically connect the new structure to the existing seafood restaurant. According to application documents lodged with Brisbane, the extension would cover a gross floor area of around 908 square metres, nearly doubling the venue’s existing floor area.

What the Expansion Includes

The new two-storey building would deliver a ground floor of 612 square metres and a mezzanine of 197 square metres, while a dedicated private dining area would add a further 99 square metres. The building would stand 8.868 metres tall, within the precinct’s three-storey allowance.

Manly Boathouse — Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A007024544

Alongside the new structure, the plans include additional kitchen space, a bar, staff room, toilets, indoor and outdoor dining areas, landscaping, and five new on-site car parking spaces including accessible parking, according to documents published on Brisbane City Council’s development portal.

The venue would operate under a dual-use model. From Thursday to Sunday, the extended spaces would function as a food and drink outlet, while Mondays to Wednesdays would be reserved for use as a function facility, targeting small-scale events such as weddings during periods of lower activity at the marina. The existing approved operating hours of 6am to midnight would remain in place, with noise management controls including music level restrictions and limited delivery hours between 7am and 6pm.

The proposal also relies partly on shared parking across the broader marina precinct rather than exclusively on-site spaces, a point addressed in the town planning report submitted with the application.

Read: Take A Look Inside The Newly Opened Manly Boathouse

A Site Ready for Its Next Chapter

Willowtree Planning, in documents included with the application, noted there is existing support from the Transport and Main Roads Department to see the undeveloped land to the west of the boathouse put to better use. The department, as the Manly Boat Harbour owner, has offered conditional consent to the application, though it noted it may require all or part of the works to be removed at the end of the boathouse’s current lease. That lease is set to expire in 2030, with options available to renew.

Planners added that the proposal is substantially compliant with the Brisbane City Planning Scheme 2014, sitting within the Wynnum-Manly Neighbourhood Plan and zoned as a Specialised Centre (Marina).

The application remains before Brisbane City for assessment.

Published 2-June-2026

Fresh Catch: Manly Boathouse Launches New Seafood Market The Trawler

The Manly Boathouse is already known for its seafood, drinks, and bay views. Now, the restaurant is expanding its ocean offerings with The Trawler, a seafood marketplace selling the freshest catch.

Read: New Look For Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club As Major Renovations Finally Begin

The Trawler is a refurbished fishing trawler that is now a marketplace for delicious local seafood, situated on The Dock at the back of Manly Boathouse.

Run by owners Nikki and Greg, who have over 25 years of seafood experience, this new seafood market sources premium local seafood straight from their fishing boats and a small network of trusted fishermen.

On offer is a mouthwatering selection of seafood like Mooloolaba ocean king prawns, green headless prawns, cooked medium or large sand crabs, knobby snapper, Sydney rock oysters, and whole Moreton Bay bugs. Prices are at wholesale rates, providing an affordable way to shop for the very best seafood.

Beyond the fresh catches, they also offer accoutrements like sauces whipped up by Manly Boathouse’s head chef Braden White. You can also pick up Trawler-branded gear like eskys, buckets, and caps to complete your seafood experience.

Before or after shopping at The Manly Boathouse’s seafood market, grab a coffee or brekkie at Manly Boathouse’s Patio. Or enjoy the seafood at the adjoining restaurant and soak in the spectacular bay views.

For seafood lovers, this new seafood marketplace at Manly Boathouse is a new weekend ritual. Swing by the pontoon to shop for premium catches straight from the ocean at unbeatable prices.

Read: Inside SeaVibes Manly, The Esplanade’s Go-To For Fresh Seafood

The Trawler operates every Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 -10:30 a.m. Visit Manly Boathouse’s website to view their menu or follow them on Instagram @thetrawlermanlyboathouse for updates.

Published 21-January-2024

Take A Look Inside The Newly Opened Manly Boathouse

Photo credit: opentable.com.au

Manly Boathouse is now open and ready to welcome guests! Check out their new space — a sophisticated and spacious dining area that boasts breathtaking views of Manly boat harbour and Moreton Bay.

The whitewashed interiors are bright and airy, giving the restaurant a classic look and relaxed feel. This Hamptons-styled restaurant provides the best views of the bayside from every table, thanks to the giant wall of windows.

Inside Manly Boathouse (Photo credit: opentable.com.au) Inside Manly Boathouse (Photo credit: opentable.com.au)

Outdoor dining (Photo credit: opentable.com.au)

Owners Nikki and Greg Kay, who also run the Reef Seafood and Sushi restaurant in Newstead, opened Manly Boathouse on 8 February 2021. The opening was delayed three days due to a burglary, causing the owners to reschedule bookings for the grand opening.

The highlight of the place is ‘The Patio,’ which includes a fish and chippery, a cafe, a gelato bar, and a patisserie. As with the indoor dining area, it has a beachy vibe with its stripey umbrellas and white picnic tables. All patisserie and gelato products are freshly made on site.

The kitchen has Chef Braden White at the helm. Chef Braden is the talent behind the simple yet packed menu with a focus on carefully curated seafood produce cooked over local timber on custom-made barbecue grills. Think a bucket of prawns and oysters or a serving of the superb crab linguine.

In addition to seafood and vegetarian options, they also have special menus available on request. For drinks, they have an impressive list of cocktails and CUB beers, as well as wines and spirits.

Manly Boathouse is open breakfast through dinner seven days a week, from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm. No reservations are required at The Patio but bookings are encouraged if you want to dine in the restaurant or at the bar. Bookings are done through Facebook and OpenTable.

Manly Boathouse: Bayside’s Newest Seafood Go-To Opens

Despite some unexpected structural issues during the redevelopment and a burglary days before its scheduled opening date, Bayside’s newest restaurant, Manly Boathouse, has finally welcomed diners at the site of the former Wilson’s Boathouse.

Bound to be the new seafood go-to, Manly Boathouse is from the team behind Newstead’s Reef Seafood and Sushi, Nikki and Greg Kay, both old-timers in the seafood industry.

Braden White is the talented chef heading the kitchen, where he will be creating and cooking up mouthwatering culinary treats, such as this winning sand crab linguine.

Diners can expect to order a plate full of fresh sashimi, buckets of prawns, hefty seafood platters, and wood-grilled seafood goodness like barramundi or swordfish, as well as a range of roasted BBQ chicken, slow-cooked lamb shoulders or premium steaks. (SEE MENU)

To complement the food, the restaurant also offers a wide selection of wines from France, Italy, Spain, New Zealand and some local favourites. The choices for cocktails or craft beers are extensive as well.

The boulangerie serves a rotating selection of pastries like croissants, danishes and cream puffs.

Photo Credit: The White Boathouse/Instagram

Within the next few days, Manly Boathouse will open its outdoor kiosks right by The Patio section. The kiosks will feature a fish & chippery, a coffee bar and a gelateria boasting of freshly-made cold treats.

The casual open-space dining area, set with picnic tables and striped umbrellas, requires no reservation and promptly opens at 5:00 a.m. for breakfast lovers who can enjoy classic dishes with a gourmet twist.

Follow @manlyboathouse on Instagram for updates and book a table online via OpenTable.

Former Wilson’s Boathouse to Open as Manly Boathouse This Summer

A new food and lifestyle precinct at the former Wilson’s Boathouse site will open at the Manly Harbour this summer. New tenants Nikki and Greg Kay, who run the popular Reef Seafood and Sushi in Newstead, have moved in to establish Manly Boathouse.

Wilson’s Boathouse lost its bid to remain in the waterfront after the Supreme Court stepped in and ordered the owners to vacate the premises. The restaurant closed permanently after 18 years of operation.

The award-winning seafood restaurant, which was once visited by Hollywood star Angeline Jolie, lost its tenancy effective 15 Oct 2020. Despite fighting to stay open, Wilson’s Boathouse owners Neil Jedid and Diane Mansfield said it was an unequal match against the government.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads owns the land where the restaurant stood.

“This is a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us for the past 18yrs,” the owners posted on Facebook. “We appreciated your loyalty immensely, we love our community. Everyone knows what happened to us, and we thank everyone who helped us with our cause. We’re looking forward for another venture, you’ll see Wilson’s Boathouse somewhere soon.”

Meanwhile, refurbishments and renovations are on-going for the new restaurant. The Kays are adding picnic tables by the waterfront of the Manly Boathouse, which will have a gelateria, a French patisserie and a fish and chippery.

Two private dining rooms will be added to the main building where intimate parties like weddings and other functions can take place.

Chef Braden White will head Manly Boathouse’s kitchen, which will open from breakfast to dinner for the whole week. The Kays also plans to add a drive-through service for boaties.

Manly Boathouse‘s redevelopment is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will open in time for the summer. For store updates, follow their Facebook page.