SYDNEY BEACHES

Quick Jump Menu

Visitors to Australia usually need little prompting to "head down the beach," and with 32 beaches at Sydney's doorstep, there is no better place to experience distinctive Aussie culture. Sydney's beaches can get very crowded, especially on weekends, but this disadvantage is far outweighed by the advantages-golden sand, clear and warm water, and accessibility to the city itself. You can swim in the ocean year-round, but it's most pleasant Dec.-April, when water temperatures rise as high as 21^o C (70^o F). Sydney has three distinct groups of beaches--within the harbor, south of the harbor, and north of the harbor-extending 60 km from Cronulla in the south to Palm Beach in the north. And while at the beach, you may notice you feel overdressed. At many of the area's beaches, topless sunbathing is both legal and accepted-but make sure that's the case where you are before tossing that top.

Harbour Beaches
A number of remarkably beautiful beaches lie within the harbour, with some, such as Nielson Park at Vaucluse, just minutes from downtown yet surrounded by native forest. Nielson Park is protected by netting and has change sheds, lockers, and a kiosk. East, toward the heads, is Watsons Bay, where a small area of beach is netted. Immediately north, around a rocky headland, is Camp Cove, a trendy little spot popular with families. Busy Balmoral Beach, east of Mosman, on the north shore of the harbor, has two netted sections and plenty of parking.

Back to top of page.

manly beach Beaches North of The Harbour
The 30 km of coastline north of the harbor is less developed but no more beautiful than that south of the harbor. Manly, reached by ferry from Circular Quay, has a real seaside resort atmosphere, with its tree-lined foreshore and many outdoor cafes and restaurants. From Manly a crescent of sand extends two km to Queenscliff Beach. Beyond Queenscliff is Curl Curl, a popular family spot, then Dee Why, which is backed by a large lagoon and wildlife reserve. The crescent ends in the north at Long Reef Point, which has a spectacular oceanfront golf course. Beyond is Narrabeen, a legendary surf spot (and the only Australian beach mentioned in a Beach Boys' song). Farther north is another excellent surfing beach, Newport, which has some of Sydney's most consistent surf-and you may even find yourself sharing a wave with former world surfing champion Tom Carroll, a longtime resident. Newport lies at the southern end of a narrow peninsula that ends at Barrenjoey Heads. Along the peninsula are Bilgola, Avalon, Whale, and Palm Beaches, all backed by the calm waters of Pittwater, an arm of the Hawkesbury River.

Back to top of page.
Beaches South of The Harbour
The coastline between Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay is dotted with beautiful stretches of beach, but high cliffs and rugged headlands prevent extensive coastal views. Development is extensive and haphazard, with no decent road linking the beaches.

Australia's best-known beach, and closest to downtown, is Bondi. Like other beaches south of the harbor, it's surrounded by ugly high-rise development in various states of disrepair, though it's popular with travelers, and many New Zealanders and Brits live in the area. South of Bondi are two small beaches, Tamarama and Bronte; the former is often plagued by strong currents that make swimming unadvisable. Farther south, Coogee is another popular beach, with a large pub on the foreshore. All the above southern beaches can be reached by bus from Circular Quay.

Within Botany Bay lies a long stretch of beach at Brighton Le Sands, with netted swimming areas making it perfect for families. Southernmost of Sydney's beaches is Cronulla, a magnificent stretch of sand backed by pristine sand dunes that stretch from a developed area in the south along a narrow peninsula to Kurnell, landing site of Captain Cook in 1770. Cronulla is Sydney's only beach accessible by train; these depart Central Station every half-hour.

Back to top of page.

Didn't find what you are looking for?