Sydneysiders love being outdoors. Their breezy lifestyles revolve around the city’s spectacular waterfront location and cultural activities – from movies and theatre performances to live music and festivals – regularly take place directly under the big blue sky, particularly during the summer. Both locals and visitors alike love to take advantage of the city’s unique beach culture – indeed, in Sydney there is more than 350km of coastline to enjoy and more than 90 beaches. Many of the city’s best beaches are within easy reach of the city and there’s plenty of things to do at each one – from adventurous activities like swimming, surfing and kayaking, to more sedate activities such as dining out at one of the many beachside restaurants, or enjoying a cocktail at a waterfront bar.
Here we outline some of Sydney’s best beaches:
Bondi Beach: The world-famous Bondi is popular for its cool vibe, funky cafes and parade of beautiful bodies. Visitors can learn to catch waves with Let’s Go Surfing www.letsgosurfing.com.au, then recharge with seafood at Nick’s Bondi Beach Pavilion www.nicks-seafood.com.au or indulge in a big breakfast with a view at Trio Café.
Must do’s in Bondi:
- Walk the spectacular Bondi to Bronte coastal walk or go all the way through to Coogee.
- Learn to surf with Let’s go Surfing. www.letsgosurfing.com.au
- Indulge in a cocktail with the glam crowd above the waves at Icebergs Restaurant and Bar. www.idrb.com
- Dine by the sea in award-winning restaurants Sean’s Panaroma www.seanspanaroma.com.au or North Bondi Italian Food www.idrb.com
Coogee: This low-key casual beach community is south of the bustling Bondi. Local highlights include having a cocktail on the rooftop of Beach Palace www.beachpalacehotel.com.au or cooking your own steak at Coogee Bay Hotel www.coogeebayhotel.com.au.
Cronulla: In southern Sydney (about 45 minutes from the city centre), Cronulla has a gorgeous strip of alfresco restaurants along The Kingsway, including the beachfront Sealevel www.sealevel.com.au.
Must do’s in Cronulla:
- Catch the ferry to Bundeena and explore the Bundeena Art Trail which is held on the first Sunday of the month. www.arttrail.com.au
- Take a guided tour with Bundeena Sea Kayaks. The 2½ hour tours are available for all levels of kayaking ability and cost from $55. www.bundeenakayaks.com.au
Manly: This northern beach is a mecca for beach lovers and is famous for its ferry trip from the city. The fun continues on land, with walking and inline skating along the promenade, before cooling off at Manly Wharf Hotel www.manlywharfhotel.com.au.
Must-do’s in Manly:
- Visit the International College of Management where Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban tied the knot. This historic building was once a Catholic seminary.
- Hire a kayak or charter a boat from Manly Corso and get out on the water.
- Dine by the water in one of the 40+ restaurants and cafes in the area. Romantics will love LeKiosk on Shelly Beach. www.lekiosk.com.au
- Celebrity-spotting at the uber-cool Will & Toby’s in the Sebel Manly Beach www.willandtobys.com.au
- Join the hive of activity on the beachfront where you can learn to play beach volleyball with Olympic champion Kerri Pottharst, go rollerblading, walking or cycling.
Also in the north, after shopping in Mosman, visitors can hire a sailboard from Balmoral Boatshed, The Esplanade www.sailboard.net.au. Other popular activities are dining at the unforgettable Bathers’ Pavilion and Café www.batherspavilion.com.au or picnicking in the park.
Further north is Narrabeen Beach. In between swims at the northern beaches, visitors can breakfast at Avalon Beach Café (23 Avalon Parade), and lunch in Palm Beach at Jonah’s www.jonahs.com.au or the Beach Road www.beachroad.net.au.
Must-do’s in Sydney’s Northern Beaches:
- Take the scenic coastal drive to Palm Beach and walk the headland to Barrenjoey Lighthouse
- Catch a ferry from Palm Beach and explore the secluded bays
- Go bushwalking in Ku-ring-gai National Park
- Learn to sail on or charter a yacht on Pittwater
- Catch a seaplane to Cottage Point Inn or Peat’s Bite for lunch
- There’s no place in the world like Sydney.
For more information, see www.sydneyaustralia.com
For further information, contact:
Kylie Robertson Irene Morgan
Robertson Solutions Tourism NSW
Cell: 917-213-1773 Tel: 310 641 1622/
Kylie@robertsonsolutions.com tourismnswla@earthlink.net
Kylie Robertson wrote this article
