With the weather finally heating up in Australia, Sydneysiders have been flocking from their bustling cafes to the abundant sprawling beaches on both the north and south shores. Locals are finally emerging from their winter hibernations and enjoying some warmer, longer days out in the sun. If I thought I liked Sydney before, this amazing weather is making me like it even more!
One of the things Sydney is most well-known for is their beaches. From multiple coastal walks and number of hidden inlets and coves, there are over 70 different harbor and ocean beaches, many easily accessible by public transportation. The opportunities are endless!
The two major regions of beaches in Sydney are located in the north shore and the south shores, divided by the entrance to the ocean from Sydney Harbor, separating the North and South heads. I’ve really enjoyed checking out as many of these beaches as I can in these last few weeks before my time here is up. Here have been some of my favorites I’ve stumbled across so far:
North Shore:
One of the best parts about the northern beaches is the journey to get there. The easiest way to get to the north shore from the CBD is via ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. The ride to the beaches in itself is worth the day trip. Traversing the Sydney Harbor, sitting outside in one of the seats up front, overlooking the Harbor Bridge and Opera House is an amazing experience, worth only $3 on Sundays! Once arriving in Manly, there are a number of different beaches to choose from, many within a short walking distance from the pier.
Manly Beach
This is the quickest and easiest beach to reach from the ferry. This beach is located along a strip of boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and ice cream parlors, making it a perfect location for not only tourists, but also locals. Although many local residents consider this beach one of the less appealing beaches of the north (due to the crowds), it’s still miles ahead of Revere beach, or any of the other beaches Boston can boast about within a ten-mile radius.
Shelly Beach
This beach is one of the closest within walking distance to the main Manly beach. This beach has some old school charm, as it is more secluded and not as surrounded by many restaurants and cafes as many of its neighboring beaches are. This beach is a perfect place for a picnic, coupled with fairly calm waters and plenty of families. It is the perfect Sunday afternoon location to unwind after the weekend.
Mona Vale Beach
Located near the beautiful Ku – Ring – Gai – Chase national park, this beach is beautiful, but much easier to get to by car than public transportation. This beach is unlike any other beach I’ve seen; located in the middle of the beach is a jetty of rocks with a manmade pool in the center. With cliffs located on either side of the beach, this is a perfect surf spot to jump off the rocks and surf (if the current is going the right way). Stop by the local fish and chips shop place on your way out or explore a few of the surrounding cafes down the road.
South Shore:
The south shore is most well-known for the Coastal Walk from Bondi to Coogee. This long trial winds for 6km between multiple beautiful Aussie beaches. Also well known for their acai bowls, smoothies, healthy cafes, and big waves, these beaches are home to some of the best waves in Sydney to go surfing on.
Bondi Beach
The first of the Bondi to Coogee walk beaches, and debatably the most popular beaches in all of Australia. This beach will always be filled with tourists, year round, however the past couple of weeks have had crowds like no other. In addition to the sprawling beach front shops, visitors can also enjoy a dip in the famous Bondi Icebergs, just to the right of the beach. If you’re feeling fancy, indulge in brunch at the Icebergs, otherwise checkout the number of local cafes along the beach, such as Vida Surf Shop and Speedo café for a healthy and hearty bite to eat.
Bronte Beach
Bronte is one of the most accessible Sydney beaches. A couple of different bus lines will take you straight from the CBD to the entrance of the in as little as 40 minutes. Surrounded by a large park and next to a strip of cafes and restaurants, this beach has a little something for everyone. Although not as official or famous as the Bondi Icebergs, this beach also has a manmade pool off to the right, which is perfect for little kids learning to swim or adults looking to chill out in the water. Prices at the cafes nearby can be pretty pricey, so bring your own snacks and opt for a picnic out on the beautiful shore.
Tamarama Beach
Nestled between two peninsulas of seaside cliffs, Tamarama is located in the middle of these southern beaches. Be prepared for some great sport watching, as to the left of this beach is a reef break, providing for great waves for surfers and bodyboarders alike. This beach has a newly renovated pavilion which serves up great smoothies and sandwiches.
Coogee Beach
The last on the Bondi to Coogee walk, this beach is also fairly easy to get to via public transportation. As most of the other Bondi beaches, this one also has a pool along to the right, which provides for a great photo opportunity with the cliffs off to the background. The Coogee Pavilion is a short walk away, providing everything from pizza shops, barbers, cafes, bars, and a beautiful rooftop lookout and deck to soak up the Australian summer sun.
With weather in the low 70s to upper 80s every-day, the past few weeks have been amazing, only making the eventual return back to Boston’s winter that much more intimidating. Here’s to hoping the next few weeks will provide equally as enjoyable weather. I am excited to explore more of these popular summer hotspots Sydney has to offer!
