Sights in Sydney
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A
Admiralty House
reviewed
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B
Balmoral Beach
The beachy enclave of Balmoral faces off with Manly across Middle Harbour, and has some good restaurants and a beaut swimming beach. Split in two by an unfeasibly picturesque rocky outcrop, Balmoral attracts picnicking North Shore families. Swimmers migrate to the shark-netted southern end.
reviewed
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C
Camp Cove
Immediately north of Watsons Bay, this small swimming beach is popular with both families and topless sunbathers. When Governor Phillip realised Botany Bay didn't cut it, he sailed north into Sydney Harbour, dropped anchor and sunk his boots into Camp Cove's gorgeous golden sand on 21 January 1788.
reviewed
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D
Chinamans Beach
Gorgeous, peaceful and serene, despite its proximity to busy Balmoral. Good for a photogenic swim.
reviewed
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Clontarf Beach
A low-lapping elbow of sand facing the Spit Bridge that’s popular with families, with grassy picnic areas.
reviewed
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F
Cobblers Beach
A nude and secluded beach on the other side of Middle Head from its partner in crime, Obelisk.
reviewed
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G
Cremorne Reserve
reviewed
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H
Double Bay
Double Bay (aka ‘Double Pay’) maintains a flashy, nouveau-riche rep. The boutiques here have suffered since Westfield Bondi Junction opened up the hill, but no one seems too worried. Immediately to the west, Edgecliff is a nondescript transport hub centred on New South Head Rd, sheltering the moneyed mansions of Darling Point – one of Sydney's richest nooks.
reviewed
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J
Forty Baskets Beach
On the Manly Scenic Walkway, just before heading into the Begowlah Heights section of Sydney Harbour National Park. The picnic area is cut off at high tide.
reviewed
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Kirribilli House
reviewed
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Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
reviewed
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M
Lady Bay
Also known as Lady Jane, this diminutive gay nudist beach sits at the bottom of a cliff, on top of which (somewhat ironically) is a Royal Australian Navy facility. To get here, follow the cliff-top walking track from (somewhat aptly) Camp Cove. All together now: 'In the navy...'
reviewed
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N
Obelisk
An isolated gay and nudist beach surrounded by bushland in the Middle Head section of Sydney Harbour National Park. It loses the sun quickly in the afternoon (chilly for the nudists).
reviewed
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O
Parsley Bay
A hidden gem, this little bay has a calm swimming beach, a lawn dotted with sandstone sculptures for picnics and play, and a cute suspension bridge. Keep an eye out for water dragons (native reptiles) as you walk down through the bush.
reviewed
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P
Reef Beach
Despite what you might have heard, this little cove on Manly Scenic Walkway is neither nude nor full of dudes; the Manly Council put pay to that in 1993. Now it's often deserted.
reviewed
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Roar & Snore
reviewed
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Q
Shark Island
Little Shark Island off Rose Bay makes a great picnic getaway, but there's not a lot here except for toilets and drinking water – and at 250m by 100m, you'll soon have explored every inch of it. Captain Cook Cruises runs five ferries per day to the island from Circular Quay (jetty 6) and Darling Harbour (pier 26).
reviewed
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Ticket Through Time
reviewed
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R
Washaway Beach
Rugged and beautiful, Washaway is a secluded little spot within Sydney Harbour National Park, near Grotto Point on the Manly Scenic Walkway.
reviewed
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S
Watsons Bay
Watsons Bay, east of the city centre and north of Bondi, was once a small fishing village, as evidenced by the tiny heritage cottages that pepper the suburb’s narrow streets (and now cost a fortune).While you’re here, tradition demands that you sit in the beer garden at Watsons Bay Hotel at sunset and watch the sun fall behind the disembodied Harbour Bridge, jutting up above Bradley’s Head.
On the ocean side, The Gap is a dramatic cliff-top lookout where proposals and suicides happen with similar frequency.
reviewed
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T
Bilgola
With its saltwater pool, Bilgola feels like a bit of a secret gem. Good swimming.
reviewed
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U
Curl Curl
Attracting a mix of family groups and experienced surfers, Curl Curl is a larger beach north of Freshwater with rocky saltwater pools at each end, a swampy lagoon and curly waves.
reviewed
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V
Freshwater
This discreet sandy bay just north of Manly has a cool ocean pool and plenty of teenagers. Good for learner surfers.
reviewed
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W
Observation Centre
Get a heads-up on Sydney Olympic Park's layout from the Observation Centre on the 17th floor of the Novotel.
reviewed