If you’ve ever felt like Sydney, Australia is your next travel destination then this post is for you.
I know what it feels like when it seems like there are so many things in front of us that we can’t do anything about because they’re just too big. It’s not true though!
Narrowing down the best beaches to visit in Sydney might be tough, so I’ve done the research for you! You’ll find out the best places to eat, explore and shop!
Read on if you’ve thought about visiting Sydney, Australia with your family but are somewhat overwhelmed on what to visit and what to skip. We have got you covered, let us know in the comments if you end up visiting any of these places!
1. Coogee
Coogee is my favorite beach I have EVER visited. It is full of so many fun activities and is not overly crowded. There are so many options for swimming, snorkeling, shopping and dining so lets get into it!
This beach has an amazing hotel called the Coogee Bay Hotel. It is a beautiful hotel with a friendly staff and complimentary breakfast in the morning (Side note: they had CRISPY bacon!!! This is so rare to find in Australia and as an American living there I truly felt at home with this. My parents and I still talk about it 10 years later).
Whether you are traveling alone or with others, you MUST visit the local Beer Garden, The Garden at the hotel. The food and drinks are immaculate.
Another amazing place to go eat something is Beach Burrito Company. WOW- when I tried the nachos here I wanted to cry. There is no better Mexican food to try in Sydney than here! The rustic beach shack atmosphere and Mexican-style flare outside is so inviting.
Okay, so I’m a bit of a FOODIE as you could tell but when you go to Australia, fish n chips is a MUST. Just be prepared to spend 50c on some tomato sauce (ketchup). This hilariously named place in Coogee has the best. It is called Chish N Fips. I remember laughing about the name so much until I took a bite and couldn’t do anything besides DEVOUR those perfectly crisp fish n chips.
My favorite activity to do was walk to Dunningham Park. They even have a lego forrest for kids! It is a gorgeous walk with fun for anyone along the way
Another MUST-DO is to visit Mclvers Baths which is super close to the Coogee Bay Hotel! Have you ever swam in a pool…that is INSIDE the ocean?!?? Well now you can. This was the best memory of visiting Coogee Beach as a 12-year-old. It is fascinating to be in a sectioned off part of the ocean especially if you are scared of swimming deep into the ocean itself. There is another one called Wylie’s Baths, a little further away but BIGGER than Mclvers. It is so worth it to visit both if you can 🙂
2. Manly
Manly is a beautiful beach with so many fun activities to do around it. It is the perfect stop for tourists as it does have a lot of gift shop options and of course awesome food options!
As soon as you get off the ferry from Sydney Harbour, there will be plenty of good eats to start or end your day with. My favorite is The Bavarian. This is a German-inspired restaurant with an Aussie flair. If you decide to go here, you MUST try the extremely large pretzels and my personal favorite, the chicken schnitzel. It is mouthwatering.
To the right of the wharf, there is a lolly shop (candy shop) called Candy Licious. This will be a special place to the kids on your trip since its a fancy candy shop full of unique lollies for everyone of all ages.
A more adult-friendly shop as soon as you leave the wharf is The Artisan Cheese Room. Do you like cheese? Do you like wine? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then go check it out! They have cheese, cheese, cheese and MORE cheese. They even have vegan cheese! Also side note, those of you 18-year-olds can join in on the drinking here since you are of age in Australia! Woohoo! This place has a phenomenal assortment of wines as well ranging from your reds, whites, rosés and sparklings. Not to mention, they even offer Celebration Cakes made from CHEESE. There is so many options of cheese, you’ll be sure to cheese when you walk out of here!
Once you make your way through all of the shops, you finally arrive at the beach! If you would like some adventure, there is a Manley Snorkel Trip and Nature Walk with a local guide for $59. It takes around 2 hours and is open to first-timers! It is definitely worth checking out and is a once in a lifetime experience.
3. Cronulla
Cronulla has another one of those pools inside the ocean! The North Cronulla Rock Pool is a nice and shallow natural pool with low tides. It makes for a nice dip, especially for those fearful of going deep into the ocean waters. If you are looking for some amazing seafood, look no further than the Sealevel Restaurant & Bar. There, you will be welcomed to an upscale atmosphere that looks out directly to the beach. My favorite thing to order was the potato gnocchi filled with beef, vegetables and feta! It is to die for. Not to mention, Cronulla Beach is famous for surfing! I actually learned how to surf here when I was in grade 5. Schools there will make sure all kids know how to surf or swim and its a pretty great thing. We learned at Cronulla Surfing Academy. While in Australia, definitely TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW TO SURF. They know what they’re doing and it is an unforgettable experience. The beach itself is on the quieter side which is perfect for a surf school or just some relaxation.
4. Palm Beach
(photo above)
This beach is a very relaxing and low-key spot to just kick back and bring a picnic with you! One of my favorite things to do here is go to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse. If you’d like to explore the lighthouse, there is a guided tour available on Sundays which you will need to book online for. The fun fact about this beach is it was actually the filming location for a super popular Aussie show called Home and Away. It is not surprising as the beach is quite beautiful. The best place for a bite to eat here is definitely The Boathouse Palm Beach. They have something for everyone here including burgers, fish n chips, seafood, salads and charcuterie boards. Currently, they are closed for renovation until 2023. For an even more peaceful experience, take a stroll along the beach down to Whale Beach. It is the perfect 30-40 minute walk with tons of scenery along the way. If you’re feeling a bit peckish once you arrive, check out the Whale Beach Deli. You can grab some delightful scones and tea here!
5. Bondi
Last but not least, we have the worldwide-known Bondi Beach. Yes I realize you might be shocked this one wouldn’t be higher up but honestly the beach is just crowded due to its popularity! Although, when visiting Sydney you gotta visit Bondi. The Bondi Icebergs Olympic Pool is a unique experience since it is an actual pool right next to the ocean itself. This is PERFECT for those who might be scared to go in the ocean water such as the little ones. They also have a restaurant that overlooks Bondi Beach. This beach is a classic, full of tourist-friendly spots. It has a whole town of seaside shops and restaurants to visit. My family and I would usually go to a fast-food chain called Oporto. This place is so tasty. It is a chicken place where you can get the best grilled chicken burgers. Oporto even offers rotisserie chicken! Definitely check it out if you love chicken. The Westfield Mall at Bondi Junction (a little further from the beach) was very fun to visit since it was a Westfield Mall like we have in the United States. Forever New is like their Forever 21, Myer is like their Macy’s and Country Road is like their express. It is very interesting to experience a shopping mall in Australia when you are from another country.