The best secret beaches in Sydney

Forty Baskets Beach  

Forty Baskets Beach is an ideal cool-off spot when you’re on the home stretch of the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk. With an enclosed tidal pool, harbour views as well as picnic and barbecue facilities, it’s a beautiful place to spend a few hours on a sunny day.  

Location: Manly Cove   

How to get there: You can access this beach from Beatty Street in Balgowlah Heights, where street parking is available. You can walk along this beach as part of the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk, so pack your swimmers if you’re hiking in summer.  

Good to know: When the tide is very high, the Forty Baskets Beach section of the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk is impassable, so you’ll need to take the ‘alternate route’.  

Spit to Manly Walk, Sydney North

Castle Rock Beach  

Just 30m long and 5m wide, Castle Rock Beach enjoys extra secluded status because it’s only accessible by foot from the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk. This little patch of sand has a large freestanding boulder on its shore and is protected by bushland-covered sandstone slopes, so it’s a picture-perfect place to swim.  

Location: Clontarf 

How to get there: You can access this beach along the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk or via Cutler Road, where you can find limited parking also. To get down to the beach itself, there are a few sets of worn stone steps, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy walking shoes. 

Good to know: The freestanding boulder on the beach is a great spot to watch the sunset.  

Castle Rock Beach, Clontarf 

Collins Flat Beach 

Walk a 200m fern-lined track to emerge at a small slice of sand with views of the harbour. Whether you’re lured by the secluded setting, the calm waters or the waterfall that trickles behind you as you wade along the shore, Collins Flat Beach is a special destination worth seeking out. 

Location: Sydney Harbour National Park   

How to get there: Make your way to North Head from Manly. You’ll find three car parks near the beach, but you’ll need to walk 200m along a dirt track with some steps to get there.   

Good to know: There are some shady areas for you to settle into thanks to the tree cover along the two sides of this beach but, if you’re setting up for the day, you might want to bring your umbrella.  

Collins Flat beach, Sydney Harbour National Park - Credit: Natasha Webb/DCCEEW

Quarantine Beach 

A protected cove in the harbour, Quarantine Beach is a family-friendly go-to and a destination for history buffs too. Sitting on the 30-hectare Q Station property, the wharf and beach have a past life in welcoming those requiring maritime quarantine. Today, the beach is an under-the-radar gem for soaking up the summer.   

Location: Manly   

How to get there: You can catch a bus or drive to Q Station and find parking there. You can then either walk down to the beach or hop on one of the free shuttle buses down the hill, taking in the sweeping views of Sydney Harbour and CBD on the way.  

Good to know: You don’t need to stay at Q Station to spend a day at Quarantine Beach. You’re free to SUP, kayak or snorkel here and, if you forget your gear, you can hire some from reception. You’re also able to buy coffees, food and drinks from the Wharf Cafe and Boilerhouse Kitchen and Bar.  

Q Station, Manly

Clontarf Reserve  

Swim in the netted ocean pool, splash in the shallows or SUP along the perimeter of this beautiful beach. With a grassy park, kiosk and playground area, Clontarf Reserve and Beach is made for family days in the sunshine.  

Location: Clontarf  

How to get there: If you’re travelling from the city, you’ll turn off for Clontarf Reserve just after you’ve crossed the Spit Bridge. Here, you’ll find parking. If you’re catching the bus, you will have a 15-minute walk before you get to the beach.  

Good to know: Listen out for the bell of the boat selling ice creams on those hot summer days.  

Clontarf Reserve, Clontarf - Credit: Adam Krowitz

Clareville Beach 

It’s hard to visit Clareville Beach and not imagine what life would be like in one of the absolute beachfront properties that line its shores. Beautifully calm waters, a towering eucalypt with a rope swing and plenty of room to relax on the grass or sand, Clareville Beach is an ultra-dreamy outpost in Sydney’s north.  

Location: Clareville  

How to get there: Driving to Clareville Beach is your best bet as there’s a car park.  

Good to know: Clareville Beach has electric barbecues or, if you’re keen for something upmarket you can visit The Clareville for refined bites. It’s open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday and lunch from Friday to Sunday.  

Clareville Beach, Clareville

Sirius Cove 

Sirius Cove is a lovely place to stop, whether you’re walking through to Taronga Zoo Sydney or wading on the shore. Here you can watch the boats gently bobbing in the harbour from the shade of the grassy area behind the beach, enjoy the shaded bushland walk to the zoo or let the little ones burn off some energy on the play equipment.   

Location: Mosman  

How to get there: You can catch a ferry from Circular Quay to South Mosman Wharf and walk for 15 minutes to reach this beach. You can also access this spot from Taronga Zoo and Bradleys Head via walking tracks. There’s designated parking available as well as street parking if you’re driving.  

Good to know: Dog lovers will want to add Sirius Cove to their list as this beach welcomes pooches, with off-leash access on weekdays.  

Sirius Cove, Mosman

Burning Palms Beach 

Beautiful Burning Palms Beach is your reward after tackling a hike in the Royal National Park. This spectacular setting offers rugged beauty, turquoise-blue water and the allure of possible solitude on a quiet day as these sandy shores are only accessible by foot. Keep an eye out for the historic shacks at the northern end of the beach that were built between the 1930s and 1950s.  

Location: Royal National Park  

How to get there: Tackle the steep Burgh Ridge Track, a 30-minute walk from Garawarra Farm car park.  

Good to know: Before you set out for Burning Palms Beach, it’s worth checking the National Parks website for closures and alerts.  

Burning Palms, Royal National Park - Credit: Nick Cubbin | DCCEEW

Resolute Beach 

Picture this: calm, clear waters, densely forested fringes and views out to Barrenjoey Headland and lighthouse. This is Resolute Beach in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, a dazzling gem of a swimming spot that is well worth the 3.3km hike to get there. On sunny days, the water sparkles  emerald green and the steep stairway descent to the beach itself will make you feel like you’ve stumbled across your own protected cove.  

Location: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park 

How to get there: You can start the hike to this beach from two locations based on your desired activity levels. The fastest route is the 1km track from West Head Lookout but, if you want a longer amble, get started from the Resolute Picnic Area and do the grade 4, 3.3km Resolute Track, which will take approximately 90 minutes one way.  

Good to know: The Resolute Track to the beach will take you past a culturally significant Aboriginal engraving site and you may spot a swamp wallaby too.  

Resolute Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Putney Beach 

Set on the foreshore of the Parramatta River, this picturesque swimming zone and park was opened in January 2025. With a fully netted section to wade into, you’ll be able to cool off in the river’s waters or set up a picnic on the green grassy bank of Putney Beach. There’s also a large playground and shady spots for lounging between dips. 

Location: Putney  

How to get there: You can hop aboard a ferry from Circular Quay and disembark at Kissing Point Wharf to find Putney Beach a 17-minute stroll from here. And, if you’re driving, there’s designated parking.    

Good to know: If you’re planning a paddle along the Parramatta River, Putney Beach is an ideal launch spot for kayaks and canoes.  

 Putney Beach, Putney - Credit: City of Ryde

Congwong Beach  

Surrounded by lush vegetation, Congwong Beach feels miles away from the city. Find a patch on the sand as your launch pad for swimming and snorkelling or simply sit and take in the stunning views of Bare Island and Botany Bay. You’ll also find Little Congwong Beach if you keep walking along the shore but, be aware that it’s clothing optional.  

Location: La Perouse

How to get there: Just near the entrance of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Congwong Beach is accessible via a 100m path from the Cann Park carpark. 

Good to know: The rocky outcrops at either end of the beach are ideal for casting out a line if you have a NSW fishing licence.  

Congwong Beach,  La Perouse - Credit: Natasha Webb | DPE

Oatley Baths 

As part of the 45-hectare bushland reserve of Oatley Park, Oatley Baths is a prime location that lets you swim in the estuarine waters of the lower Georges River. The supersized 200m netted swimming enclosure features a pontoon in the middle and is fringed by trees that are home to native birdlife. Swim a few long laps of the enclosure or simply laze on the pontoon and watch the cockatoos fly overhead.  

Location: Oatley  

How to get there: Driving to Oatley Park is recommended as you can use the carpark and take the nine-minute walk past Oatley Park Castle to arrive at the baths or find the parking spots just a minute from the water.  

Good to know: Oatley Park is home to more than 107 bird species and 310 plant species, so you’ll be able to immerse yourself in rich natural beauty here.  

Oatley Park, Oatley - Credit: Georges River Council

Gunnamatta Park and Darook Park 

While Cronulla’s famous beach is a hotspot on a sunny day, you’ll find two calm estuary beaches on the Port Hacking River side of the Cronulla peninsula. Both Darook and Gunnamatta Park offer plenty of shade with the only waves gracing these shores made from boats sailing past. Swim in the bay or the netted Gunnamatta Bay Tidal Baths, or drive a couple of minutes further south, where you’ll find an even more secluded beach at Darook Park.  

Location: Cronulla   

How to get there: You can take the nine-minute walk to Gunnamatta Park from Cronulla train station. If you don’t mind stretching your legs, you’ll arrive at Darook Park after a 24-minute walk. Driving? You’ll find a carpark at Gunnamatta Park, but not at Darook Park.   

Good to know: Keep your eyes peeled for stingrays in the shallows at both of these spots.  

Gunnamatta Bay Tidal Baths, Cronulla - Credit: Paul Robbins - Monde Photo | Sutherland Shire Council

Parsley Bay 

With the dazzling sparkle of its clear waters and the cable-suspension bridge that appears to float above, Parsley Bay is a slice of paradise in Sydney’s east. Swim the 150m stretch of ocean from the sandy shore out to the net that keeps very big fish on the harbour side. You can find a rock to perch on, lie on the jetty at one end or relax on the sand or grassy reserve, enjoying the playground too.  

Location: Vaucluse 

How to get there: You can catch a bus right to Fitzwilliam Road at Parsley Road and walk four minutes to arrive at Parsley Bay. If you’re driving, be aware that on-street parking can be in hot demand. 

Good to know: The summer sun means that you might be sharing a rock with some of the resident eastern water dragons.  

Parsley Bay Reserve, Vaucluse

Lady Martins Beach 

This narrow strip of sand in Point Piper is a bit of a local secret and it’s great if you’re after a dog-friendly (on-leash) beach. You can roll out your towel on the jetty or, if the tide allows, find a spot on the sand in front of the absolute-beachfront properties. This harbour beach’s calm waters make it great for kids (and dogs), and the views out towards the Heads are simply stunning.  

Location: Point Piper 

How to get there: Catch a bus to the New South Head Road at Wunulla Road bus stop and then walk for 11 minutes. You’ll follow a narrow lane beside the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club before emerging at this secluded beach.  

Good to know: Stingrays can be found in the shallows, so give your feet a shuffle as you wade out to be safe. 

Some of these beaches are unpatrolled, so it’s worth checking the conditions via SLS Beachsafe before you go.