Sydney:
main • accomodation • sightseeing • to
the NSEW Sydney
Beaches
Sydney's coastline stretches for approximately 65km, from Palm Beach in the north,
to Cronulla in the south. Most Sydneysiders have their 'favourite' beach, which
is not necessarily the closest to their homes. Some people grew up living near
one beach, then moved as an adult to another, but you will usually find them
returning to their original haunt. The people who live here have a connection
with the ocean that develops from a very early age; sand between the toes and
watery foam lapping at the ankles are not cliches but sensations simply indicative
of a way of life.
Most of the ocean beaches are patrolled during the summer months on the weekends
and during school holidays. The lifesavers, who know what they are doing, erect
flags in the safest part of the beaches, and people are requested to make sure
they swim between these flags. If they don't, and get into difficulties, the
lifesavers are not going to let them drown, but under reasonable circumstances
it should not come to this point.
If the beach is considered unsafe, perhaps because of a strong undertow or a
very high tide, the lifesavers will close it and erect a sign warning people
not to enter the water. Take notice of such signs and decide to spend the day
somewhere else. Board riders are given their own stretch of beach, so that they
don't interfere with swimmers, and swimmers should keep out of designated board
areas.
On weekends, Lifesavers in this country are not paid for the hours they spend
on duty. They are willing volunteers who give freely of their time to keep our
beaches safe. Harbour beaches are not patrolled. It must not be assumed that
the harbour is one giant swimming pool. There are several places where shark-nets
have been strung across inlets, and these are the only places where you should
venture into the water. You won't see one, but there are sharks in Sydney Harbour.
It is generally believed that old sharks, unable to fend for themselves in the
open sea, come into the harbour for easy feeding - and what could be easier than
a human thrashing around? Of course, there are also sharks in the open ocean,
but the surf patrols on these beaches keep a sharp lookout, and sound alarms
if a shark is sighted. You may not have caught a wave all day, but if a shark
alarm sounds it is incredible how quickly you can get yourself back on the beach.
Having said all that, there has not been a shark attack in Sydney since 1963,
when two children were taken whilst swimming in Middle Harbour.
Ocean Beaches
Listed below are the beaches stretching from Palm Beach in the north to Bundeena
in the south, with the closest main road, and the public transport that gives
access.
Also included is the following information for each venue:
Dressing Shed - usually will include showers and toilets.
Patrolled - in summer on weekends and during school holidays, ie from the first
weekend in October to Easter the following year.
Pool - rock pool suitable for children.
Board - surf is suitable for board riders.
Surfers - surf is suitable for body surfers.
Usually beaches back onto a park or a reserve, and there are clear directions
on the major roads indicating the way to the beach. Most beaches tend to have
some topless sunbathers during the hottest parts of the day.
North of the Harbour
Palm Beach, off Barrenjoey Road, was once mainly frequented by the wealthy and
yuppy set. It has now become very popular with British tourists because it is
the setting for the TV series Home and Away. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers
and board, pool south end. About one-and-a-half hours drive from the city centre.
Bus no 190 from Wynyard.
Whale Beach, off Barrenjoey Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board,
pool south end.
Bus 190 from Wynyard, Bus 193 from Avalon (infrequent service).
Avalon Beach, off Barrenjoey Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board,
pool south end.
Bus 190 from Wynyard.
Bilgola Beach, off Barrenjoey Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board.
Bus 190 from Wynyard.
Newport Beach, off Barrenjoey Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board.
Bus 190 from Wynyard.
Bungan Beach, off Barrenjoey Road. Patrolled, board.
Bus 190 from Wynyard.
Mona Vale Beach, off Barrenjoey Road. Top end not patrolled (Bongin Bongin).
Dressing shed, patrolled south end, surfers south end, board north end.
Bus 157 from Manly, Bus 184 from Wynyard (peak hour).
Warriewood Beach, off Pittwater Road. Dressing shed, patrolled surfers and board.
Bus 157 from Manly.
Turimetta Beach, off Pittwater Road. Not patrolled, board.
Buses 155 and 157 from Manly.
Narrabeen Beach, off Pittwater Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board.
Buses 182 and 190 from Wynyard, Buses 155 and 157 from Manly.
Collaroy Beach, off Pittwater Road adjoining Narrabeen Beach. Dressing shed,
patrolled, surfers and board, pool at southern end.
Buses 182 and 190 from Wynyard. Buses 155 and 157 from Manly.
Collaroy Basin, off Pittwater Road. Surfers, little swell.
Via Collaroy Beach.
Long Reef Beach, off Pittwater Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board.
Bus 182 and 190 from Wynyard, Bus 155 and 157 from Manly.
Dee Why Beach, Howard Street, off Pittwater Road, adjoins Long Reef Beach. Dressing
shed, patrolled, surfers and board, pool south end.
Bus 178 and 180 from Queen Victoria Building, Bus 190, 182, 184 from Wynyard.
Curl Curl Beach, Oliver Road, off Pittwater Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers
and board, pool south end.
Bus 136 from Manly.
Freshwater (Harbord) Beach, Oliver Road, via Pittwater Road. Dressing shed, patrolled,
surfers and board, pool north end.
Bus 139 from Manly.
Queenscliff Beach, off Pittwater Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and
board, pool north end.
Bus 136 and 139 from Manly.
North Steyne Beach, off Pittwater Road, adjoins Queenscliff Beach. Dressing shed,
patrolled, surfers and board.
See Manly Beach for travel information.
Manly Beach, off Pittwater Road, adjoins North Steyne Beach. Dressing shed, patrolled,
surfers and board.
Bus 169 from Wynyard or Buses 143 and 144 from Chatswood, ferry from Circular
Quay, JetCat from Circular Quay. Peak hour bus services available from Wynyard.
Shelly Beach, off Darley Road. Sheltered area with little swell, suitable for
swimmers. Between Shelly Beach and Manly Beach there is a pool at Fairy Bower.
Via Manly Beach.
South of the Harbour
Bondi Beach, via Bondi Road off Old South Head Road. Dressing shed, patrolled,
surfers and board, sanctioned topless area south end, pool at south end.
Bus 380 and 389 from Circular Quay, 365 from Edgecliff.
An internationally famous beach, Bondi can attract more than 40,000 people on
a sunny Sunday afternoon. Crowds filter through even the farthest reaches of
the city to stake their claim to a golden patch of sand for a few hours. Inviting
ocean temperatures and the safety provided by an elite surf life-saving team
have made this coastal stretch extremely popular during the summer months.
The 1km strip of beach has a long history of development, since the local government
authority gained control of it in 1881. By 1907 it was very popular with the
neck-to-knee fraternity, although bathing time was limited to half an hour to
avoid loitering. In 1928, the Bondi Beach Pavilion was built and then contained
changing rooms for 1200 people, turkish baths, shops, a gymnasium and a ballroom.
Today it is a community centre.
Surf life saving had its origins here and at nearby Bronte, with these clubs
claiming to be the world's oldest. Surf Carnivals are often held at the beach,
but the standard of the surf depends on the wind, and can range from enormous
waves one day to a mill-pond the next. In the event that the swell is disappointing,
there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to attend, or some casual street shopping
to enjoy. Bondi has its own distinct lifestyle, and the pace slows as soon as
you cross into its suburban boundary.
Tamarama Beach. Off Bronte Road. Dressing shed, surfers and board.
Bus 360 and 361 from Bondi Junction.
Bronte Beach, off Bronte Road. Squeezed between Tamarama and Clovelly it can
experience some rough surf at times. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board,
pool south end.
Bus 378 from Railway Square.
Clovelly Beach, off Clovelly Road. Dressing shed, patrolled.
Bus 339 and 340 from Millers Point. Although Clovelly has a sandy foreshore,
it is more like a swimming pool than a beach. Good for children.
Coogee Beach, off Coogee Bay Road. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board,
pool south end.
Bus 372 from Railway Square, Bus 373 from Circular Quay (Pitt Street).
Maroubra Beach, Fitzgerald Avenue, off Anzac Parade. Dressing shed, patrolled,
surfers and board.
Bus 395 from Railway Square, Bus 396 from Circular Quay.
Wanda Beach, off The Kingsway. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board.
Catch a train to Cronulla and then make the short walk to beach.
Elouera Beach, adjoins Wanda Beach. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board,
pool south end.
Train to Cronulla, walk to beach.
North Cronulla Beach, adjoins Wanda and Elouera Beaches, off The Kingsway. Dressing
shed, patrolled, surfers and board, pool south end.
Train to Cronulla, walk to beach.
South Cronulla Beach, off The Kingsway. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and
board, pool north end.
Train to Cronulla, walk to beach.
Shelly Beach, off Cronulla Street. Dressing shed, patrolled, surfers and board,
pool south end.
Train to Cronulla, walk to beach.
Harbour Beaches
There are hundreds of coves and bays around the harbour, but we are only including
those that have shark-proof nets, changing facilities, takeaway food outlets,
and picnic areas. Obviously the beaches on the harbour do not have waves.
Clifton Gardens, Chowder Bay. The bay is two bays north-east of Taronga Park
Zoo, and not easy to get to by public transport.
Take Bus 228 from Milsons Point (Mon-Fri), Bus 247 from Wynyard/QVB to Taronga
Zoo, alight at Thompson Street and follow the signs.
Balmoral, Hunter's Bay. This is quite a pretty beach and is divided into two
by Rocky Point, a tree-covered outcrop. Balmoral is very popular and has takeaway
food bars as well as coffee shops and an up-market restaurant. The rotunda on
the beach is used for many shows on summer evenings, the 'Shakespeare on the
Beach' programs in particular have a large following.
Bus 238 from Taronga Zoo, Bus 257 from Chatswood, or Bus 233 from Mosman Wharf.
Manly Cove, Manly. The swimming enclosure is adjacent to Manly Wharf, where the
ferry from Circular Quay docks.
Travel by Ferry, or Bus 144 from Chatswood.
Nielsen Park, between Vaucluse Road and Greycliffe Avenue, Vaucluse, in the eastern
suburbs. During the swimming season (October to April) a shark-proof net is erected
at Shark Beach. Experience has shown that this net must be taken down during
the colder months because it cannot withstand the winter storms and heavy seas.
There are dressing sheds and showers for swimmers, and a kiosk is situated opposite
the beach.
Ferry from Circular Quay, Bus 325 from Circular Quay.
Botany Bay Beaches
Botany Bay was where Captain James Cook landed, and where Captain Phillip was
sent to begin the new colony. Phillip, unable to find a fresh water supply, sailed
further north to Sydney Harbour. Nowadays Botany Bay is a densely populated area,
and if you arrived in Sydney by air, you have already spotted it; Kingsford Smith
Airport is situated on its shores.
The Bay also has its share of sharks, so if you feel like a swim, stick to:
Brighton-le-Sands Baths, off Grand Parade. It has wire netting for protection,
although the rest of the Lady Robinson Beach is not protected and is frequented
by swimmers. There are dressing sheds. Bus 302-303 from Circular Quay, Bus 478
from Rockdale.
Bundeena
South of Botany Bay is Port Hacking. Cronulla is on its northern side, and Bundeena
on the southern side borders the Royal National Park.
Access is by ferry from Cronulla.
Surrounding Bundeena are Hordens, Gunyah and Jobbons, pleasant but small beaches
which have little swell and are suitable only for swimming. They have no safety
nets and are not patrolled.
Inner-City Suburbs
As an introductory note, it is recommended that if you wish to explore the inner
suburbs and outlying regions of Sydney by car, you should use a detailed Street
Directory to find you way around. The directions listed in the How To Get There
sections below are based on that premise; they are street-specific and really
require the aid of a comprehensive map. Several Street Directories are available
from book stores, newsagencies and information centres.
If you wish to explore a little further afield, the suburbs bounding the city
may be worth visiting. Major city centres around the world are becoming increasingly
similar, and the real distinctions can sometimes only be gleaned from the lifestyles
exhibited on their perimeter, where the homogenising effect of commercialism
is softened by the first stages of urban sprawl. Surry Hills, Paddington and
Newtown are examples offering their own insights.
Terrace housing is a quaint and common feature of inner-suburban dwelling. Density
of living in popular regions with close proximity to the CBD means that town
houses, duplexes and apartments are basically the only form of accommodation
on offer. Sometimes these linked buildings stretch the distance of a whole street,
separated in appearance only by exterior colours and the barest architectural
trimmings. Those craving a big backyard head into the outer suburbs while inner-suburbanites
tend to their flower pots on two-square-metre balconies, choosing the lifestyle
instead. Although the frontal facade of these places is standard and often unimpressive,
the interior is typically where owner's exert their effort, and they are often
breathtaking. A pleasant stroll through these quiet, leafy back-streets can be
worth the trip.
You can also make your way through the flurry of the main thoroughfares nearby.
The consistency of building styles in the inner-city is an instantly noticeable
trait. Commercial outlets are crammed into and against terraces that match the
homes lining residential streets nearby. While there are a few shopping centres
and several walk-through arcades, the space restrictions and advertising value
mean that most retail businesses have main street fronts, and the majority of
local shopping is done outside.
The inner-suburban people will most likely draw your interest. The clash of fashion,
status and ideology within a small geographical radius is fascinating. Paddington
east of Sydney is known for its concentrated gay community while Newtown to the
city's south is the cultural centre of liberal alternative youths epitomising
New Age living. A half-hour walk can take you between worlds.
Public Holidays
Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year and Easter are obviously celebrated at the same
time as everywhere else in the world.
Other holidays that are enjoyed in Australia are:
Australia Day - January 26.
Anzac Day - April 25.
Queen's Birthday - the second Monday in June.
Labour Day - the first Monday in October.
Another day is Bank Holiday, which is held on the first Monday in August, but
only banks, government offices, insurance companies and the like are closed.
Sport and Recreation Boating
It should be noted that a licence is required to drive any mechanically driven
vessel capable of 10 knots or more. There are several places around the harbour
foreshores where bare boats can be hired. Here are a few names and addresses:
Abbotsford Point Boat Hire, 617 Great North Road, Abbotsford, 9713 8621.
Australian Sailing School & Club, Parrawi Road, Mosman, 9960 3077.
Balmoral Sailing and Kayaking School and Hire, 2 The Esplanade, Balmoral, 9969
5344.
Eastsail, d'Albora Marinas, New Beach Road, Rushcutters Bay, 9327 1166.
Rose Bay Marina, 594 New South Head Road, Rose Bay, 9363 5930.
If you are a marine enthusiast and wish to admire the yachts in the harbour,
there are several wharfs along the shoreline. The Cruising Yacht Club at Rushcutters
Bay is close to the city. Since the best way to enjoy the spectacular scenery
of Sydney Harbour is by drifting luxuriously in its centre, a sailing craft is
almost a necessity for those who can afford one, and on weekends the water's
surface is laced with the tranquil patterns of whitewash. For the rest of the
week, while corporate owners are in the city earning the money needed to pay
for them, these yachts bob softly at the marina, their many masts forming an
impressive sight against the skyscape. Cycling
Australian Cycle Co., 28 Clovelly Road, Randwick, 9399 3475, are hopen seven
days and are close to Centennial Park. They hire out bikes at reasonable prices. Golf
Although Sydney has about 40 public golf courses, few are located close to the
city centre. Here is a selection:
Moore Park Golf Club, is on the corner of Cleveland Street and Anzac Parade,
9663 1064. This is the closest course to the city. It comprises 18-holes and
is par 71 for 5790m. Eighteen holes will cost you $24 on a weekday and $27 on
weekends.
Cammeray Golf Course is located in Park Avenue, Cremorne, 9953 2089. Another
9-hole course, at 2417m, par 33, Cammeray is built on quality terrain that is
always well-kept. A nine-hole round is $11 and can be played between designated
hours daily.
Bondi Golf Course, 5 Military Road, North Bondi, 9130 7170. This course is only
a 2500m nine-hole course, but its hills and freak peninsula winds provide some
challenges. Famous Bondi Beach sprawls below - a soothing sight after a terrible
shot. It costs adults $9 to play, and a further $9 to hire clubs. Children play
for $5.
Balgowlah Golf Course, 506 Sydney Road, Balgowlah, 9949 2057, is another terrific
nine-holer. This popular spot is not far from Manly Beach and is difficult enough
to test good golfers whilst not crushing the dreams of intermediates. It is green
and lush and can make for a pleasant couple of hours. The course is par 34, 2321m
long, and costs $12 for nine holes. Non-members have access to the course daily
at designated hours.
Wakehurst Golf Club is on Upper Clontarf Street, Seaforth, 9949 3188. This is
a full 18 hole, par 72 course built in the middle of cleared scrubland and dotted
with water hazards. Its length is just over 6100m and its terrain can be tricky
for any golfer to negotiate. A round on this scenic course will set you back
$22 on weekdays and $25 on weekends. Club hire is an additional $15 and you can
pick up a golf cart for $25.
The Australian in Rosebery and Royal Sydney in Rose Bay are nearby, while the
New South Wales Golf Club is in La Perouse further south. However, the only way
to make a divot on these exclusive fairways is to quickly make friends with a
member, if you can find one.
For further information on Sydney's courses, find the listing in the Yellow Pages
Telephone Directory or use the golf guide at Nsydney. sidewalk.com.au
Horse Riding
Superior Horse, Pavillion A, Driver Avenue, Moore Park, 9360 5650, has horses
for hire daily 9am-5pm. Centennial Park and adjoining Queens Park have a combined
area 220ha (543 acres) - more than enough room to have a decent ride.
Lawn Bowls
There are bowling clubs in almost every suburb of Sydney, and one in the city.
Bowling clubs are famous for their hospitality, and visitors are warmly welcomed.
It is necessary, of course, to phone ahead to find out what days are reserved
for social play, and to organise for a set of bowls. Bowling clubs are listed
in the Yellow Pages Telephone Directory under Clubs - Bowling. If you are not
sure which club is the closest to where you are staying, you could contact the
Royal NSW Bowling Association, 9283 4555.
Scuba Diving
Gear can be hired and dives arranged from the following places:
Dive 2000, 2 Military Road, Neutral Bay, 9953 7783.
Deep 6 Diving, 1057 Victoria Road, West Ryde, 9858 4299.
Pro Dive, Head Office, 34/330 Wattle Street, Ultimo, 9281 6166.
Swimming
The closest public swimming pools to the city centre are:
North Sydney Olympic Pool, Alfred South Street, Milsons Point, 9955 2309;
Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, The Domain, Woolloomooloo, 9358 6686;
Prince Alfred Park Swimming Pool, Chalmers Street, Surry Hills (near Central
Railway Station), 9319 7045.
The new Cook and Phillip Park Recreation Centre, is on the corner of Haig & Boomerang
Streets, near St Marys, 9326 0444. It has a 50m underground pool among its facilities.
The larger hotels have swimming pools, usually heated all year round.
Tennis
Tennis courts abound in Sydney's suburbs and most have lights for night play.
Pages of available courts can be found in the L-Z Yellow Pages Telephone Directory,
appropriately enough under Tennis Courts For Hire.
For spectators, the NSW Tennis Open is played at White City in Rushcutters Bay,
9360 4113.
Ten Pin Bowling
The bowling centres close to the city are:
Balgowlah Bowling Centre, Condamine Street, Balgowlah, 9948 7656. Other centres
can be found in the A-K Yellow Pages Telephone Directory under Ten Pin Bowling.
Spectator Sports
Basketball (April-October)
Sydney's team in the National Basketball League (NBL) is The Kings, and they
play their home games at the Superdome, Olympic Boulevard, Homebush. Phone 9764
1300 for dates of the Kings' games.
Baseball (October-February)
The Sydney Blues is the local team in the National Baseball League and their
home games are played at the Parramatta Stadium. The teams in the local competition
play at various suburban venues, and for information on games, times, etc, contact
the NSW Baseball League on 9552 4635.
Cricket (October-March)
The Sydney Cricket Ground, near the Show-ground, is home to International matches,
and is NSW's home ground in the competition played between the states. Grade
matches are played on suburban grounds.
Football (March-October)
Rugby League is played on Saturdays and Sundays at various suburban grounds and
at the Sydney Football Stadium, near the Showground.
Rugby Union is played on Saturdays at suburban grounds and at their headquarters
at Concord Oval.
Soccer is played on Saturdays at various suburban grounds and Sydney Athletic
Field, Anzac Parade, Kensington, 9662 4390.
Australian Football is played on Saturdays at suburban grounds, and the Sydney
Swans play their home games in the Victorian competition at the Sydney Cricket
Ground.
Horse Racing
See Entertainment.
Sydney Olympic Park
Situated roughly in the geographic heart of metropolitan Sydney, the Olympic
Park is 14km from the CBD, in the suburb of Homebush.
Facilities include Stadium Australia, Bicentennial Park, the Sydney International
Aquatic Centre, the State Sports Centre, as well as Tennis, Hockey and Archery
facilities. Other features include a major metropolitan park, called Millennium
Park, a golf driving range and an Olympic Village which accommodated 15,000 athletes.
A concentration on modern architecture is the definitive element of the Olympic
site. From a distance the domes, arcs and cylindrical shapes of the venue seem
to make it spring like a spaceport from science fiction out of its green surrounds.
Stadium Australia
This enormous stadium was the venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and
will host many other notable competition events into the future. It has a seating
capacity of 100,000 people.
State Sports Centre
The Centre is a multi-purpose venue designed to present a full spectrum of events.
The design enables the Centre to be used as: a competition venue for sporting
events of State, National and International standard, and a training centre for
these athletes; a sports education centre; and a venue for concerts, seminars
and exhibitions.
The Arena, within the Sports Hall, is the focal point of the State Sports Centre,
and is capable of staging a wide range of sports from gymnastics to showjumping,
fencing to indoor cricket. It has seating for 5000, and a clear floor area of
57m x 38m.
Also in the Sports Hall is the Hall of Champions which honours Australia's champs
in many sports.
The State Softball Centre has two floodlit fields, warm-up facilities and accommodation
for 3000 spectators.
The State Hockey Centre has two synthetic pitches, flood lighting, and accommodation
for 8000 spectators.
There are also outdoor netball courts, training centres and plans for many more
sporting facilities.
For information about current programs at the Centre, phone the information line
on, 9763 0111. Transport to Homebush
Transport to the Olympic Site is by car, bus, river cat or rail (Olympic Park
station).
Guided tours of the Olympic Site are available, and perhaps the best way to explore
this venue and all of the others in close proximity, is on the Olympic Explorer
Bus (see under Local Transport).
