Sydney has more beaches than you can count on 10 sets of hands, many of them small, hidden secrets that you’d need a bit of local knowedge (or luck!) to find. Not these ones though – these are the loud and proud beaches of Sydney where locals and visitors alike flock to soak up the sun, the waves and the lively beachside vibes for which Sydney is famous. Read on and get
Balmoral Beach
A favourite location for picnics, weekend meals, or sunset fish and chips on the north side of the harbour. Dive in for a swim in the calm waters or go snorkelling, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. Use it as a base to explore the area’s many foreshore trails – it’s about 25 minutes on foot to historic Middle Head and leafy Clifton Gardens.
Bondi Beach
There isn’t a more famous a beach in Australia, and few sights can compare to its golden sand and turquoise waters brimming with beachgoers. Hop in for a surf, enjoy the saltwater pools, or use it as a starting point for the spectacular Bondi to Coogee Walk.
Bronte Beach
Popular with young families, Bronte has one of Sydney’s best natural rockpools and a large park with BBQ facilities and shady pines. Surfing is popular here but conditions out on the water are difficult, so it’s best left to more experienced watergoers. It’s also about halfway between Bondi and Coogee, so it’s a great place to stop if you can’t do the entire Bondi to Coogee Walk.
Coogee Beach
If you’ve arrived here after taking the coastal path from Bondi, you’ll be amply rewarded with Coogee’s sweeping sands and laid-back atmosphere. Family- friendly with calm surf, it has a rock pool at the northern end and a man-made rock pool at the south, plus a lively dining scene.
Cronulla Beach
The only beach in Sydney accessible by train, Cronulla is located in the Sutherland Shire,
is a popular spot for families and is an ideal location for some classic fish and chips by the waves. Head north and you’ll find Cronulla Ocean Pools, accessible via The Esplanade pedestrian walkway, or head further north to enjoy the larger North Cronulla Beach.
Manly Beach
Another world-famous location on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Manly epitomises relaxed beach lifestyle and a buzzing local vibe. Ride the ferry here from Circular Quay, wander up The Corso to Manly Beach, or explore further afield to one of the many smaller hidden-gem beaches dotted around the peninsula.
Maroubra Beach
This coastal haven in Sydney’s south-east unfolds with golden sands and rolling waves, attracting surfers and sun-seekers alike. Framed by dramatic cliffs and vibrant nearby parklands where you can enjoy BBQ facilities and play areas for the kids, it offers a picturesque retreat with much more open space than you’ll find in its more famous neighbours to the north.
Palm Beach
Situated at the tip of Sydney’s glamorous Northern Beaches, the grassy dunes and yellow sands of Palm Beach are famous as the set for exterior shots on soap opera Home and Away. Take a dip in the surf, meander along the sand or walk the trail to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for one of Sydney’s most celebrated and Insta-worthy views.
Tamarama Beach
Affectionately known as ‘Glamarama’, Tamarama Beach epitomises Sydney’s incredible coastal allure. Situated on the famous Bondi to Coogee Walk just a 20-minute walk from Bondi, this more intimate spot is known for its golden sands, rocky outcrops and fantastic surf.
