Little Bay Beach is a gorgeous little spot, still not very well known. It's the last sand beach…read morebefore Botany Bay. Because it's a sheltered cove, there isn't any surf, but the place is great for paddling and snorkeling. Don't be put off by its proximity to Long Bay Gaol, or by its proximity to Malabar sewage treatment -- they've got that stuff all sorted out now, right? Little Bay Beach has wonderful sandstone outcrops, perfect for having a picnic with friends, and a nice mix of sun and shade. The abundance of little outcrops and cave-like spaces means you often find canoodling couples in various states of undress, spread out on towels and picnic blankets, with grapes, hummus and watermelon strewn about ... it gives the whole place a relaxed, bacchanalian sort of feel. There was an old hospital in Little Bay (long since closed down), which used to make the entrance to the beach quite creepy. In recent times they've built a housing subdivision at the old Prince Henry Hospital site, so the place isn't quite so spooky or derelict, but the development isn't too close to the foreshore, so you can't see buildings when you're sitting at the beach. It was quite a creepy hospital: used during the Bubonic plague in 1900. There are still a few heritage hospital buildings around, otherwise the rest of the structures are very new. There is a golf course nearby, but the risks of getting hit on the head by a golf ball are probably lower than your average Sydney bluebottle sting risks, so I reckon it's worth it. Little Bay achieved art-world fame back in 1969, when Christo wrapped it up in fabric. The whole bay. There are some great photos of it here: http://kaldorartprojects.org.au/project-archive/christo-and-jeanne-claude-1969 Little Bay's remoteness means that you can still find a park, if you drive there. But it is also accessible by bus. Just go down Anzac Parade, almost forever... The best bit? Feels like a holiday retreat, but it's in Sydney. The worst bit? No waves. Flat as a tack.

Gorgeous little beach. Not many people around, especially on a weekday. The water is crystal clear…read more& depending on the weather, some waves. Perfect place to relax. Free, non metered street parking near by & access to toilets.

What's up summer!…read more Blow past the burning sands of Coogee Beach - with its packs of marauding seagulls and a vast purgatory of tourists - and head up the grassy hill on the north side of the beach. Follow the path past the shrine where a Brazilian saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin (actually a thing) until you hit the ye Olde England-style arch that proudly declares "baths." Then it's a skip down the cliff to a lovely clear rockpool that will be either preternaturally calm or manageably rough-n-tumble depending on the swell. Stretch out on the rocks like a cat. Duck down 'neath the water and caress the mossy bottom. Find the secret cave. Laugh at that girl with the selfie stick doing duckface. Then toddle back along the path to Coogee Pavilion for some well-earned beers.

These baths are much less crowded than Bronte Baths and the nearby Coogee Beach. It's also a more…read morenatural-looking rock pool, but since its mouth opens directly to the ocean, I'd say to be smart and don't linger too close to the edge! Before the stairs going down to the baths are toilets/facilities so that's not lost either. These baths are reminiscent of Makapu'u Tidepools back home in Hawai'i, but much less crowded. Love it.

It only took me 34 years to get here…read more But hot damn, was it worth the wait. Better than finding a Mr Whippy van at the end of a 40 degree day, Gordons Bay is damned sure going on my Secret Sydney / Great for Tourists lists. There's no beach as such, and you access the bay by walking over a bunch of rocks, which lends just getting here a sense of adventure. I felt like one of the freaking Goonies man, in search of One Eyed Willie's treasure. Ce the truffle shuffle. Cliff face above, tons of giant sloped boulders to make like a lounge lizard on, and a stunning bay filled with the clearest water this side of a bath tub full of Evian. A cracking place to read a book, sunbake, then slip into the bay for dip, float, paddle, whatever takes your fancy. There are submerged rocks to stand on, and smart people will bring snorkel masks to check out the marine life and giant inflatables to loll about and drink beer on. Very easy to kill a summers day. Don't forget to look around the cliffs at the million-dollar houses and play "which house would you live in if you could choose one?"

PLEASE GO NOW! Really!…read more If you haven't had the pleasure of spending a day in the sun in Gordon's Bay, then you haven't been living, my friend! A short and beautiful ten-minute trek from Coogee, G-Bay is an iconic snorkeling and diving destination in Sydney. This picturesque bay is perfect for afternoons of picnics perched on rocks and dips in the ever so blue water. The clearly demarcated snorkeling and diving route lends itself to an abundance of coral and fish and the rocks and grottos that border the bay make it a fun place for a swim adventure as well! THIS is what people picture when they think of stunning Australian coastal hideaways. Sometimes, Sydney, you really do spoil us.

Another beautiful beach/park just down the road from Coogee. Except obviously this one is more well…read moreknown for its pool. Definitely glad I got to walk around here.

Great beach. It has showers to wash off in, trails to walk with beautiful view and a swimming pool…read moreopen to public next to it. Open grass area if you want a picnic as well. Sand was okay mostly good, but some rough sand. Good for surfing and snorkeling!

Coogee beach is seriously the most breathtaking, beautiful beach. If you walk along the boardwalk,…read moreyou can see people being active and working out. The vibes are high and the beach is so picturesque. It's the perfect start to your walk to Bondi beach and the perfect place to start your day. Even get a coffee or light bite at Morning Glory. The waves are perfect and fairly calm. The water is so blue, you'll want to stare at for a couple minutes! Walk a little towards the town and stop at the various pools before making your way to the iconic Wylies Bath. It will be the perfect day!

Even if it's winter time here, this was a beautiful beach to visit. Very clean and scenic and a…read morevariety of activities to partake in. Plus a few nearby eateries and plenty of restrooms. The parking lot was a bit limited but still convenient.

Who knew there was a clinically insane rock pool hidden at the north end of Maroubra?…read more Not this guy. Find of the year? Quite probably. And I have Mike and Tony at Ompty to thank for this one, as it's practically their office. Pop over a little headland and thar she blows in all her crystal clear, salty fresh, ocean fed glory. Sunbake on the rocks, take the kids in for a dip, or be a big man on campus and head in when the sea is raging and raging whitewater thunders over the pool every time a set rolls in. Maybe take a snap or two. It's as picturesque as picturesque can be.

IS THIS REAL LIFE? I can go in the water in Australia without worry of sharks and my boyfriend…read moreworrying about stone fish? Granted, he thinks they made the wall so watch out! There are still waves, so it's a good time. Not toooo hidden, there's a parking lot, changing area, toilets, and park area.

Alright, so this is a beach. It is secluded. There is a cliff walk…read more But that's it really.

There's something to be said about truly appreciating what you've lost. Growing up in Australia, I…read morehad the beach at my fingertips. I was a tanned little baby Queenslander, twaddling off to the endless glistening beaches of Queensland's Gold Coast every other weekend and taking it all for granted. When I grew up and moved to Sydney, I lived five blocks from Brighton Beach and with a book, oversized sun glasses and floppy hat in tow, I lazily meandered down to the beach whenever I pleased. And I took it all for granted. Then I moved to London. After a year in the bleakness of the city that seems to believe that grey really is the new black, I ached for the sandy shores of home more than I ever imagined possible. A quick break came in the form of four weeks work in Sydney in March 2009 and I jumped, salivating like a lunatic at the chance to once again lie on the silky sand of the Australian coast line and not, ahem, the grey rocks of England's beaches. Beach day came around slowly. I woke up that morning excited with such ferocity that I'm sure I frightened my friend's kitten with my crazy Cheshire Cat smile, but hey, I'm Going To The Beach. My friend's boyfriend was due to chauffeur and we waited, and waited and waited. But alas he didn't come. A phone call. A broken engine (ok so I know engine's don't break but I'm a girl, forgive me!). No. Beach. No. Beach. Are you kidding me? I know I'm being a drama queen and oh yes, squillions of others have it far FAR worse than me in this world but when I realized we weren't going to the beach, pieces of my heart cracked and an ever so slight movement detached them from my body and pieces of my heart floated slowly onto the ground. Stomp on them, I don't care. I realized I NEEDED to go to the beach. And desperate times calls for desperate measures. I grabbed my friend and we walked outside. We walked through the streets and onto the main road. And we CAUGHT A CAB TO THE BEACH. Oh yes, true story. I am the loser who caught a cab to Clovelly Beach. But I tell you what, it was all worth it. Every single cent. Clovelly is a hidden treasure amongst Australia's best kept secrets. It's not a Bondi, it's not the Gold Coast. It is not vast and it isn't endless. It is in fact a cove, carved into Australia's east coast with such tenderness that a tiny little beach was formed. It's quiet, it's peaceful, you hear the waves crash and the children laugh, you aren't afraid of being burgled, you can take a nap and relax in peace. I took a nap that day, basking in all of the glorious sunshine offered to that end of the world. All these people around me, they were taking it for granted but me? No way. I'd never appreciated a moment as much as I did right then, and that moment from March 2009 is forever burned into my memory. Clovelly is my favourite beach and I'm sharing it here on Qype with you all because I want you to love it right along with me.

Such a cool feature to see at a beach! Unfortunately, when I came it was "winter" and I couldn't…read morefathom swimming when it was so cold (relatively speaking). But I'm so glad I got to see this pool.

It's. So. Pretty. I…read morelove the rock pool culture in Sydney; it's nonexistent in Hawai'i so I've taken advantage. This rock pool is iconic because it's one you see all over Instagram, Pinterest, and Google searches of "rock pools in Sydney." And it lives up to the hype. It's not too crowded on the weekdays, is easily accessible, and is kept clean/clear. It also has nearby amenities, which is a plus. Definitely visit on your Bondi to Coogee walk/drive!