SHHH—don’t tell.
Hidden within beautiful Sydney Harbour, tucked away in national parks and along Sydney’s celebrated coastline are more than a half dozen “secret” beaches that are blessed with amazing views, soft sands and the alluring promise of privacy and seclusion.
Little Congwong Beach, La Perouse
The short, paved walk from the better-known Congwong Beach takes you to a secluded stretch of sand in the La Perouse section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, a 30-minute drive south of the city center. The calm water at this little beach makes it great for snorkeling. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the cove feels miles away from the city, although there’s also easy access from a nearby road if you don’t want to walk from Congwong Beach, and there is plenty of parking nearby. Bring a beach umbrella as there is limited shade. Little Congwong was previously an unofficial clothing-optional beach, although this is now discouraged.
Oatley Park, Oatley
Combine a swim with a bush walk at Oatley Park, a 30-minute drive from the city center in the leafy southern suburb of Oatley, near Hurstville. Here the bushland reserve hums with cockatoos and other birds drawn to the native flowers and trees, while the paved and unpaved walks through the bush offer scenic views of the Georges River. Head to Oatley Park Castle, a quirky sandstone lookout (complete with a solid sandstone parapet) built during the Great Depression, and you’ll see a sandy beach through the trees. This is Oatley Baths, a 200m-long netted swimming enclosure with change rooms and picnic tables. Swim a few long laps of the enclosure, or simply laze on the pontoon and watch the cockatoos fly overhead.
Gunnamatta Park and Darook Park, Cronulla
Four famous surf beaches make up the long stretch of sand at Cronulla, a 50-minute drive south of central Sydney. Just a 10-minute walk from the café and shopping strip at the heart of this laid-back suburb leads to two calm estuary beaches on Gunnamatta Bay, on the Port Hacking River side of the Cronulla peninsula. Both beaches boast plenty of shade, particularly in the morning, and the only waves are generated by passing boats.
At Gunnamatta Park you can swim in the bay or the netted tidal pool, enclosed by a picturesque wooden jetty. There’s a playground in the park, as well as toilets and change rooms. A couple of minutes’ drive further south, you’ll find an even more secluded beach at Darook Park. Here trees line the narrow strip of sand, casting shade right over the water in the morning.
Burning Palms Beach, Royal National Park
There are some great little beaches in the Royal National Park, an hour’s drive south of Sydney. Garie and Wattamolla beaches are the most accessible, but there are plenty of others to seek out, including Burning Palms Beach. Park at Garie Beach and walk south along the Coast Track, past North and South Era beaches, or brave the steep 20-minute walk from Garawarra Farm car park. The northern end of the beach’s headland is dotted with historic beach shacks, built by miners from nearby Helensburgh in the 1930s. Note that the surf can be strong and the beach is not always patrolled.
Store Beach, Manly
There’s a beach on the harbor side of Manly’s protected North Head that’s so secluded it’s only accessible by water. Store Beach was originally the site where ships would unload provisions for Sydney’s old Quarantine Station, which was used to isolate arriving passengers suspected of carrying infectious diseases. Now part of Sydney Harbour National Park, the quarantine buildings have been transformed into the Q Station boutique accommodation.
You can reach Store Beach via a challenging rock hop at low tide from nearby Collins Flat Beach, but most people make their way here by boat. Hire a kayak from Manly Kayak Centre and paddle your way there in about 20 minutes. Keep an eye out for little penguins, which use the reserve as a breeding ground.
Turimetta Beach, Narrabeen Head
Turimetta Beach, a 30-minute drive from Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, is so secret it disappears at high tide. Low tide exposes a small stretch of sand, interesting rock formations and carvings. It’s bordered by Turimetta Head to the north and Narrabeen Head to the south, with access from the Bicentennial Coastal Walk or via the rock platform from Narrabeen Beach. Backed by steep cliffs, the beach is popular with surfers. It’s not patrolled and the surf is strong, but the south end’s large, flat rocks and rock pools are great for exploring.
Resolute Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Deep in the heart of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, a 45-minute drive north of the city center, the secluded, beautiful Resolute Beach is your reward for a steep walk along the Resolute Track. Resolute’s calm, clear water, densely forested fringes and views out to Pittwater and Barrenjoey Headland make it an idyllic spot you may have all to yourself.
The Resolute Track, which starts at the Resolute Picnic Area, passes through bushland and the famous Red Hands Cave with its Aboriginal handprints. You can also take a detour down some steep stairs to West Head Beach, which is just as secluded as Resolute, but a little rockier.
Find more information on your Sydney beaches adventure here.
Images courtesy of TravMedia/Destination New South Wales
