Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, Palm BeachCredit: Destination NSW
Along the walk from Barrenjoey to Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
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While famous coastal walks like Bondi to Coogee are busy with locals and tourists alike, Sydney’s lesser-known beaches are hiding coastal hikes that are just as spectacular but far less trafficked. Make the most of the warmer weather by heading outdoors and planning a whole weekend around one of these scenic coastal walks: book into waterside glamour and spend the days finding serene strolls, adventurous clifftop climbs and everything in between. Once you’ve seen the stunning views, picnicked the secluded sands and swum in the pristine waters, settle in for a meal beside the water with the satisfaction of feeling like you’ve uncovered a local’s secret
Barrenjoey Lighthouse to Avalon Beach, Northern Beaches
The walk begins at the most northernmost point of Sydney’s coastline with a steep hike up Barrenjoey Headland, giving spectacular views of Pittwater on one side, Broken Bay on the other, and the century-old, sandstone Barrenjoey Lighthouse on the headland itself. The walk then traverses Palm Beach, the serene bushland of McKay Reserve (a popular spot for weddings), Whale Beach, the rugged Bangalley Head (the highest point on the Northern Beaches coastline) and finishes at Avalon Beach. Pick out the five species of banksias as you walk, then stand still for a moment to see if you can catch a glimpse of the delicate honeyeaters that come to sup on the plants.
Eat, stay, play:
Palm Beach has as many one-of-a-kind stays as it does world class beaches. Families and groups should book the ocean view luxury of Rockridge or the five-bedroom, magnesium pool and cedar hot tub of Crane Lodge, a private retreat surrounded by angophora bushland. Couples can get a romantic room at local boutique hotel Jonah’s (check out the award-winning restaurant, too) or a loft above the cute Barrenjoey House where you can pick up fish and chips or an Italian-inflected three-course meal. If you book the latter, it’s a short walk to the Palm Beach Headland at night where you can see one of the clearest night skies in Sydney (Australia’s first Urban Night Sky Place). The next morning, drop into The Joey for coffee on the water then book in with Salty Safaris for a Northern Beaches adventure that includes a surf lesson and a Bush to Bowl-led Indigenous cultural tour.
Narrabeen Lagoon to Manly Lagoon, Northern Beaches
This 12km Northern Beaches walk has it all: headlands, beaches, rock pools, lagoons and, if the season is right, bright wildflower blooms. Begin at the foreshore of Narrabeen Lagoon (also known as Narrabeen Lake), then wind your way across the long sands of Narrabeen and Collaroy Beach. Snap a photo of the view at the Long Reef Headland then pass the lagoons and beaches of Dee Why, Curl Curl and Freshwater, dropping in for a revitalising swim at each. The hike will take most of the day, but if you want to cut it short, there are bus stops at various points along the trail.
Eat, stay, play:
The walk can be done in either direction and regardless of which way you go, you can end the day in a room overlooking the water. On the north end, book one of 47 sunny balcony rooms at the Narrabeen Sands Hotel and on the southern end, you can check into the stylish luxury at the Manly Pacific (recently renovated to the tune of $30 million). Instead of packing lunch, stroll up to a table at Pilu in Freshwater for a luxurious Sardinian experience or the Harbord Hotel in Manly for a classy pub meal. On your recovery day, forage, feast and learn about native produce with a bush tucker and Indigenous cultural tour run in collaboration with social enterprise Bush to Bowl and locally owned and operated tour company Australia by Nature.
Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach Credit: Jonah's
Outdoor terrace at Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach.
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Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach Credit: Jonah's
Outdoor terrace at Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach.
North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen.
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North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen.
Botany Bay Coastal Walk, southern Sydney
Venture to Kurnell, a rugged headland at the mouth of Botany Bay, for a 13km trail winding through the Kamay Botany Bay National Park and down the coast to Cronulla, passing sand dunes, rock formations, heathland, hanging swamps and one of the most spectacular and underrated headlands in the state, Cape Solander. The headland’s lookout and track are one of the best spots for whale watching during the migration season from May to November. The trail also passes through Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve, which is great for snorkelling and birdwatching (spot the endangered sooty oystercatchers and migratory waders). From the aquatic reserve, it’s a short walk down to the famous, long sands of Cronulla Beach.
Eat, stay, play:
Begin with a morning cuppa and a brekky roll at the waterside cafe Cook at Kurnell. When you reach your destination of Cronulla, The Shire’s cultural capital, treat yourself with beach views at Rydges Cronulla Beachside or, just to the north, Quest Woolooware Bay. There are countless quality dining options in walking distance. Embrace the local spirit and go for a stylish al fresco table at Italian-inspired Bobby’s or the relaxed modern Australian menu of Next Door. Use the next day to meander on Cronulla’s sands for 4km to Bass and Flinders Point, or get the historic ferry to Bundeena (the oldest operating commuter ferry in Australia) to explore the majestic Royal National Park, Australia’s first national park.
Jibbon Loop Track, Royal National Park
The 6.8km Jibbon Loop Track takes you from the pretty southern Sydney township of Bundeena and along a serene coast of the Royal National Park, introducing you to the wild scrub of the region, Aboriginal engravings and secluded beaches. You’ll quickly feel like you’re much further away from the city than just an hours’ drive. Take a little detour from the walk to check out Little Jibbon Beach, which has great views across to Cronulla, as well as Aboriginal engravings of local wildlife. Further along is Shelley Beach, a rocky bay that feels wild and isolated, and hosts expansive views off an unofficial lookout.
Eat, stay, play:
Start the walk early so you can finish the day with a dreamy kayak cruise of Bundeena and the Royal National Park with the eco-certified tour company Bundeena Kayaks. Before driving south, book into a Shared Knowledge tour where an Arakwal and Bundjalung guide will take you through the region’s Aboriginal culture, history and foods. Down south, wash off the salt water before an evening drink in front of water views from your room (or the bar) at Headlands on Austinmer Beach. Pick a South Coast beach to swim at the next day, drop into Darkes Glenbernie Orchard for an idyllic fruit picking experience and find out why Franco Pizza Bar is one of the most loved restaurants on this part of the coast.
Austinmer Beach, Austinmer Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Austinmer Ocean Pools, Austinmer Beach.
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Austinmer Beach, Austinmer Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Austinmer Ocean Pools, Austinmer Beach.
Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell in Sydney's south.
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Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell in Sydney's south.
Blue Pool, BermaguiCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic Blue Pool on the Bermagui coastline.
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You’ll find spectacular ocean pools dotted along the southern coastline of New South Wales. These handmade pools, fed by the ocean’s waves, are often built into the rocks near beautiful sandy beaches, can be hidden away along the coastline and are enjoyed mostly by locals. Ocean pools are great for kids learning how to swim, lap swimming and for a dip on the days when the waves are a little too big for your liking. Here’s where to find an ocean pool on the coast south of Sydney.
In the Illawarra
You’ll find many spectacular ocean pools in the Illawarra area, from south of the Royal National Park all the way through to the popular seaside town of Kiama. These include lovely pools at Coledale, Bulli, Towradgi, Port Kembla and North Wollongong.
Take the road through the Royal National Park to Stanwell Park and onto Coalcliff Beach, where the ocean pool is set against a dramatic backdrop of the escarpment.
Nuns Pool, at Flagstaff Point in Wollongong, is one of the oldest in the state, dating back to the 1830s. (The title of oldest ocean pool goes to the Bogey Hole in Newcastle, north of Sydney. It was built by convicts in 1819.) Located below the lighthouse, the Nuns Pool (formerly known as Chain Baths and used by the nuns of St Mary’s convent) sits in a small, sheltered cove and is accessed via a narrow path chiselled into the sandstone.
Further south at Kiama, the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool offers a safe swimming spot near the area’s famous blowhole, the largest in the world, on a headland near the town centre. This beautiful, hand-cut pool is an irregular shape and has a varied depth and rock bottom – it was also once a men-only bath. You can also take the 15-minute walk around Kiama Harbour from the blowhole to Black Beach Reserve. Here you can do 50-metre laps in the Olympic-size Continental Ocean Pool.
A 15-minute drive south of Kiama is the tiny coastal town of Gerringong. Head down to Gerringong’s Werri Beach for a swim at Ourie Ocean Pool, at the southern end of the beach. This rectangular pool, carved into a flat rock shelf, has a smooth concrete bottom and is perfect for a summer’s day dip.
Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
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Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
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Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
From the Illawarra to the Shoalhaven
Drive an hour further south into the Shoalhaven region and seek out Huskisson Sea Pool at Huskisson. This coastal town has a rich shipbuilding heritage, which you can explore at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum after your swim.
A 45-minute drive south of Huskisson brings you to Mollymook, where you’ll find the South Coast’s famous Bogey Hole, a natural rock pool on the headland south of the beach. There’s also a lovely ocean pool at Ulladulla, a five-minute drive further down the coast.
On the Sapphire Coast
One of the state’s most famous ocean pools is found at Bermagui, a little over five hours by car from Sydney, on the Sapphire Coast. Bermagui’s Blue Pool is revered as one of the prettiest, filled with azure-hued water fading to turquoise and green. At 50 metres long it makes for a great lap-swimming pool and there’s also a shallow wading pool, ideal for kids, just next to the pool.
One of the southernmost ocean pools on the NSW coastline is the Aslings Beach Rock Pool, a hidden gem carved into the pink-and-white cliffs at Aslings Beach in Eden, a six-hour drive from Sydney. It’s only a short walk from town, but its low profile makes it hard to spot from further down the beach. Make your way over the rocks from the beach and take a dip at low tide before the waves have a chance to deposit any seaweed.
Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
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Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.
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Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.