Users tend to be the best options in most places, except for when demand sky-rockets and the surge pricing kicks in.
Which ports are you looking at, then we can add advice to suit.
A misspent youth is fine as long as you are prepared to eventually pay for it. As an ex policeman perhaps you helped amend others behaviour so they didn't mis spend too much.
As mentioned, Manly is easily accessible via the ferry from Circular Quay, and a walk down the Corso to the beach.
The yellow line indicates where the ferry comes in and then through the gap in the buildings/ shops to get to the beach.
We had a last minute rush to get in the door, get the TV on and stand in reverence for the ceremony, the holding of silence, the last post and the laying of wreaths.
They probably will reinstate the paper oquestionaire at least, but likely on the app as well. Especially with wave 8 of covid everywhere in Australia and the recent outbreak of noro on one of the ships.