Australian sea beach

Manly Beach

After alighting from the 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, there’s a sign at Manly Wharf that reads: “Five miles from the city, a million miles from care." Such is the lifestyle of “God’s Country.”
A cosmopolitan mall and promenade add to the sight of young, hip, beautiful and sun-kissed bodies. A day trip here is enough reason to consider relocating to the northern beaches. Whether it’s from the beach itself, or one of the nearby cafés, Manly is a pleasing place to catch a wave or simply to people-watch.

Manly Beach, South Steyne, Manly. 

Known as ‘Glamarama’ for the eye-catching locals sun-baking on the beach –- it’s traditionally been a haven for the gay and modeling communities.
Parking near the beach is impossible, but it’s worth the fight because the beach is as beautiful as the locals adorning it. Being small and intimate adds to the feeling that this is an exclusive beach reserved for the lucky ones.
A word of warning, though: it’s also one of Sydney’s most dangerous beaches, with two rips coming in from either side of the bay. While this makes it a haven for surfers catching waves from the northern head adjoining nearby McKenzies Beach, it can be tough if you’re not a strong swimmer.

Tamarama Beach, Tamarama Marine Drive, Tamarama.

Australia’s most famous beach is more than 100 meters wide and stretches for well over a kilometer. This allows plenty of space for the overwhelming amount of tourists -- and locals -- that park themselves along the sands. On a good day every grain of sand is covered with bodies, with crowds swelling into Bondi Park and into nearby bars and cafés.
It’s sometimes criticized for being too big, too busy, and too touristy –- but it’s also the hot spot for fashionable Sydneysiders and travelers and lots of fun.

Bondi Beach, Campbell Parade, Bondi.

The family-friendly Bronte Beach has the best barbecue spot in Sydney.

Bronte’s sea pool offers a protected ocean swim and is regarded as one of the best in Sydney -- and much like beach culture itself, it’s free.

The nearby parkland has spacious barbecue areas for gatherings and is the most family-friendly beach in the eastern suburbs. On public holidays, the park becomes a sea of frenzy as parties take place.

Bronte’s east-facing beach picks up plenty of swell and swimming can be tricky at times thanks to the bulky headlands and underwater rocks. Waves can dump close to the shoreline.

But the vibes and views on offer make it ideal for those looking to laze around on the popular beach.

Bronte Beach, Bronte Marine Drive, Bronte.

Adjoining a national park, the harbor beach feels secluded.

It still calls itself the city’s “hidden secret” despite near-impossible parking and a crowded beach, but Nielsen Park is a little gem. The more adventurous can walk along the harbor foreshore through a national park to reach it.

It feels secluded, even though it’s packed, and has a quaint charm because it’s not touristy -- you won’t find a backpacker in sight.

The views back across the bays to the city center are impressive. A net, which makes it a family picnic or snorkeling special, encloses the swimming area.

Nielsen Park, Greycliffe Avenue, Vaucluse.

On the north shore, Balmoral Beach is ideal for unwinding.Balmoral, on the north shore’s Middle Harbor near Taronga Zoo, has an air of peaceful serenity. Life moves at a more leisurely pace here. If it’s loud and proud you’re after, this isn’t it.
What Balmoral does have in spades is impressive views. And its calmness makes it a great swimming spot for families.
Balmoral Beach, The Esplanade, Balmoral.Shelly Beach is just around the corner from Manly on the north head. If Manly gets too crowded -- as is often the case -- then this is your nearby destination.Because it’s protected from the ocean swell, you’ll see lots of scuba divers under the water and paddle boarders gliding along the surface.
And they won’t be the only ones making the most of the ideal visibility and calmness of the water, with swimmers flocking to the beachfront as well.
Shelly Beach, Bower Street, Manly.Located behind the heritage Strickland House on Vaucluse Road, this intimate and tucked-away beach gets pretty busy during the summer months, but is near deserted throughout the rest of the year.
A great spot to impress, Milk Beach is a little-known spot that still packs a mighty punch when it comes to commanding views of Sydney. And you’ll often see a lot of kayakers moored to take in a spot of lunch.
It’s also been the scene of some thumping parties during summer, so you could find yourself walking into a beached dance floor.

Milk Beach, Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse.

A local secret: wind down the coastal road to Bilgola Beach.Descending down the windy roads that lead to Bilgola Beach from the headlands that surround it, you instantly feel you’re travelling a path not well trodden.
The rips crashing into the northern end of the beach create some great surf for “waxheads” living on the “insular peninsula.”
Bilgola isn’t mentioned much and is kept as a relative secret by locals. Quiet and unspoilt, the beach is a real in-the-know spot.

Bilgola Beach, The Serpentine, Avalon

Close to the mouth of the harbor, Camp Cove has some of the most breathtaking views of Sydney. It’s also westward facing so gives east-coasters the chance to watch the sunset over water.

It’s close to a large park, children’s playground, pub and institutional fish and chips –- what more do you need for a day on a harbor beach?
Views also open up in the opposite direction to the vastness of the Tasman Sea, in contrast to the city vista. Quiet, secluded, and quaint, the picturesque Camp Cove is a stunning swimming spot and the elevated promenade gives visitors a chance to languidly take it all in.

Camp Cove, Victoria Street, Watsons Bay.

Arguably one of the best options for snorkeling and exploring what lurks beneath the water’s surface, Clovelly is a small and tranquil beach that’s noted for its unique narrow bay between two rocky ridges.
Instead of a long sweeping beachfront, Clovelly is protected and therefore provides a tranquil swimming experience away from the hustle and bustle of its busy neighboring beaches.
It's a good base for Gordons Bay, where you can check out snorkeling routes through the waters, or take a coastal walk to Bondi or Bronte.

Clovelly Beach, Donnellan Circuit, Clovelly.

Boasting some of the best and most consistent surf, the beach attracts board enthusiasts from all over Sydney. Surfers have no qualms making the 25-kilometer trip north of the city center to get to the three-kilometer-long beach.The northern end of the vast, sandy strip is protected from the northeasterly winds and is a surfer’s destination, while the rest of the vast beach is ideal for swimming.
North Narrabeen Beach, Ocean Street, North Narrabeen.Tamarama Beach
Bondi Beach
Bronte Beach
Nielsen Park Beach
Balmoral
Shelly Beach
Milk Beach
Bilgola Beach
Camp Cove
Clovelly
North Narrabeen Beach