Page 150 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

148  SY DNEY

Sydney’s Beaches

Being a city built around the water, it is no wonder that many
of Sydney’s recreational activities involve the sand, sea and sun.
There are many harbour and surf beaches in Sydney, most of
them accessible by bus (see p133). Even if you’re not a swimmer,
the beaches offer a chance to get away from it all for a day or
weekend and enjoy the fresh air and relaxed way of life.

who drop in on their waves. To Scuba diving at Gordons Bay
Swimming hire a surfboard, try Bondi Surf
You can swim at either harbour Co on Campbell Parade, Bondi Scuba Diving
or ocean beaches. Harbour Beach, or Aloha Surf on Pittwater
beaches are generally smaller Road, Manly. If you would like to There are some excellent dive
and sheltered. Popular ones are learn, there are two schools: spots around Sydney, especially
Camp Cove, Shark Bay and Manly Surf School and Lets Go in winter when the water is clear,
Balmoral Beach. Surfing at Bondi Beach. They if a little cold. Favoured spots
At the ocean beaches, surf also hire out boards and wetsuits. are Shelly Beach, Gordons Bay
lifesavers in their red and yellow and Camp Cove.
or blue caps are on duty. Windsurfing and Pro Dive Coogee offers a
Swimming rules are strongly range of courses, escorted
enforced. Surf lifesaving carnivals Sailing dives, introductory dives, and
are held throughout the summer. There are locations around hire equipment. Dive Centre
Surf Life Saving Australia’s Sydney suitable for every Manly also runs courses, hires
Beachsafe website has infor­ level of windsurfer. Boards equipment and conducts boat
mation on facilities, the weather can be hired from Balmoral dives seven days a week.
and lifesaving services. Sailing School.
The beaches can become Good spots include Palm DIRECTORY
polluted, especially after heavy Beach, Narrabeen Lakes, La
rain. The Beach Watch and Perouse, Brighton­Le­Sands Balmoral Sailing School
Harbour Watch Info Line and Kurnell Point (for beginner Balmoral Park, The Esplanade,
provides information. and intermediate boarders) Mosman, Balmoral Beach. Tel 9960
5344. ∑ sailingschool.com.au
and Long Reef Beach, Palm
Beach and Collaroy (for more Beachsafe
Surfing experienced boarders). ∑ beachsafe.org.au
Surfing is more a way of life One of the best ways to Beach Watch/Harbour Watch
than a leisure activity for some see the harbour is while sailing. ∑ environment.nsw.gov.
Sydneysiders. If you’re a A sailing boat, including a au/beach
beginner, try Bondi, Bronte, skipper, can be hired for Dive Centre Manly
Palm Beach or Collaroy. the afternoon from the East 10 Belgrave St, Manly. Tel 9977
Two of the best surf beaches Sail sailing club. The sailing 4355. ∑ divesydney.com.au
are Maroubra and Narrabeen. club has two­day courses Also at Bondi and City.
Bear in mind that local surfers and also hires out sailing
know one another well and do boats and motor cruisers East Sail
d’Albora Marinas, New Beach Rd,
not take kindly to “intruders” to experienced sailors.
Rushcutters Bay. Tel 9327 1166.
∑ eastsail.com.au
Lets Go Surfing
128 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi.
Tel 9365 1800.
∑ letsgosurfing.com.au
Manly Surf School
North Steyne Rd, Manly. Tel 9932
7000. ∑ manlysurfschool.
com.au
Pro Dive Coogee
27 Alfreda St, Coogee. Tel 9665
6333. ∑ provdivesydney.com
Surf Life Saving NSW
Tel 9471 8000.
∑ surflifesaving.com.au
Rock baths and surf lifesaving club at Coogee Beach