Northern Beaches Council has longstanding connections with communities across New South Wales and around the world.  These relationships reflect shared history, cultural exchange and cooperation, and are valued for the opportunities they have brought to our community.

Following the amalgamation of the former Manly, Pittwater and Warringah councils, Northern Beaches Council has continued to recognise the 14 Sister City and Friendship Agreements established by those councils. 

While there have been no activities in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of sister city relationships across NSW is evolving.  Increasingly, councils are focusing on strategic, economic and community-based partnerships rather than purely ceremonial arrangements.

In November 2025, Council resolved that opportunities arising from existing partnerships, or any new relationships, will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Elected Council.  This approach ensures that any future activities are meaningful, beneficial and accountable to the wider Northern Beaches community, and align with the goals and outcomes of the Community Strategic Plan.

Council's existing partnerships include:

Former Manly Council

Odawara, Japan

Manly and Odawara formed a Friendship City relationship in 1990. For many years, this included a reciprocal language and cultural Japanese Student Exchange Program with Odawara’s Tokimeki International School.  This saw up to 20 Northern Beaches students aged 14 years or older have the opportunity to improve their Japanese language skills and experience Japanese culture firsthand.  There have been no exchange programs since 2019.

Huntington Beach, California, USA

Manly (home of the Australian Open of Surfing) and Huntington Beach (home of US Open of Surfing), formalised their Sister City relationship in February 2012. Both are internationally recognised for surfing and beach culture and have vibrant art centres, colourful shopping, restaurant districts and museums dedicated to surfing and beach culture, and were both visited by surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku.

Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea

The Yeongdo-gu Friendship was established on 29 May 2009. It is based on a mutual desire to strengthen friendly relations and promote cooperation and understanding. 

Gunnedah, Upper Namoi Valley, NSW

Manly’s Friendship with Gunnedah, 478 kilometres from Sydney, began in 2005. The relationship included exchanges in education, environmental management, sport, literature and the arts. The annual Beach to Bush – Bush to Beach Program enabled students from Gunnedah and the Northern Beaches to participate in a three-day student exchange.

Taito Ku, Tokyo, Japan

Manly’s Sister City relationship with Taito Ku, one of Tokyo’s 23 wards, began in 1982 after being proposed by Japanese artist Masami Yamada on his first exhibition at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum in 1980.

Oecusse, Timor-Leste (East Timor)

In July 2008, East Timor’s President, José Ramos-Horta, created a Friendship City relationship between Manly and Oecusse. They identified potential projects, including distributing solar-powered radios to enable more people to receive information on healthcare, farming and local government. 

Jing’an, Shanghai, China

Manly and Jing’an formed a Sister City relationship in 2000.

Bath, England, UK

Manly has longstanding historical links to Bath. Captain Arthur Phillip, who became New South Wales’ first colonial Governor, and who named Manly, was a resident of Bath. Manly has hosted regular cricket matches with the Lansdown Cricket Club from Bath since 1988.

Former Pittwater Council

Soibada, Timor Leste (East Timor)

A Friendship Agreement was established in 2010 to promote mutual respect and cooperation, and to support activities of the Pittwater Friends of Soibada to strengthen the community and achieve self-sufficiency.

Tadaoka, Japan

In 1995, a Friendship Exchange was established that saw Mona Vale Library host a civic reception for Japanese students from Tadaoka and their host families from Mater Maria College, Warriewood.  The aim of the exchange was to foster goodwill relations and to develop and maintain a better understanding and appreciation of various cultures and customs.

In 1996, Tadaoka and Pittwater formed a further Friendship Exchange that involved two Pittwater and then Northern Beaches residents take part in the Senshu City, Osaka annual marathon at the generous invitation of Tadaoka.  

Former Warringah Council

Brewarrina, NSW

In July 2000, a Sister Cities relationship was formed with Brewarrina, 800 kilometres from Sydney. To promote friendship and understanding between beach and bush communities, we established a Youth Exchange Program. Six young people from the Northern Beaches spend a week in Brewarrina in July, and six young people from Brewarrina visit us every January.

Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

In August 2011, in partnership with Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club, a Goodwill Beach City Agreement was signed with Waikiki, Honolulu. It was part of an annual celebration of Duke Kahanamoku, who made surfing popular in Australia with his famous demonstration at Freshwater Beach in 1915.

Chichibu, Japan

In 1996, a Sister Cities relationship was established between Warringah and Chichibu to foster relationships, encourage students to understand cultural difference and improve their language skills.  Responsibility for the student exchange was transferred to Freshwater Senior Campus in 2009.

Alas, Timor Leste (East Timor)

A Friendship Agreement was established in 2009 to support local community projects through the Friends of Alas group, assisting community development initiatives in Alas.