Sydney

Located in New South Wales and known as Harbour City and The Gateway to Australia, Sydney is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city surrounded by gorgeous sandy beaches.

While the coastlines here are perfect in their natural state, there are quite a few that come with extras anyway - coffee bars, surf lessons, spas and even the odd dolphin, if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse. Sydney can more than cater to all your seaside needs!

Bondi Beach


The most famous beach in Sydney – if not the whole of Australia – has to be Bondi Beach. It’s a whole kilometre of golden sand and the closest beach to the centre of Sydney at approximately 20 minutes drive.

There is a vibrant café and restaurant scene on Bondi. Check out Campbell Parade, a strip of outdoor cafés and ice-cream bars running along the back of the beach. Just a street back from the parade you’ll find shops selling beachwear and streetwear.

On the beach itself you can learn to surf with Let’s Go Surfing, relax in the Icebergs Pool [above pic] or take part in the daily Bondi to Bronte Walk, starting from Bondi Beach and ending up at Tamarama Beach (nicknamed Glamarama) in Bronte, with refreshment stops and magnificent views along the way.

Manly Beach


More relaxed than Bondi, but somehow managing to be just as vibrant and fun, Manly Beach has all the essential criteria for a great day out – sun, sea, sand, surf, shops and spectacular views, not to mention a world-class dining scene.

Check out Oceanworld Manly, a fish’s-eye view of the underwater world. If you’re brave enough, try Shark Dive Xtreme, a scuba session with sharks. If you’re not that fearless, but still feeling adventurous, take a guided boat or shore dive with Dive Centre Manly.

For something a bit less adrenalin-filled, join the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk - a 10km stroll along beaches, through parks and forests and over cliffs and bushland.

At the weekend there’s the Manly Arts and Crafts Market, where you can buy such things as candles, jewellery, woodwork, paintings, leather and glassware.


Sydney and its beaches have been described as bold, brash and beautiful and this certainly seems to be the case. If you ever happen to be passing by Oz on your travels, stop and say “hi” to Sydney!