Beach lifestyle
Adopt Sydney’s laidback lifestyle by watching the sun rise over Bondi or Manly beach. Spread a towel on the beach and enjoy a picnic lunch. Swim between the yellow and red flags and observe the rules of ocean safety. Learn to surf at an accredited surf school at Bondi, Manly or Cronulla beaches.
Discover some of Australia’s best surfing locations on the South Coast and North Coast of NSW. Rent a car in Sydney and drive to The Farm and Mystics surf breaks in Killalea State Park, south of Wollongong. Drive or take the train north to Newcastle’s Merewether Beach. Or join a surfing tour.


Stunning beaches in Sydney and NSW
Wriggle your toes in the soft white sand. Relax in the sun after an invigorating swim in the ocean. Watch board riders and bodysurfers catch a wave. It’s all part of the beach lifestyle that makes Sydney such an enticing destination.
You’ll find plenty of things do. Enjoy seaside picnics with friends and family. Explore the coast on walking trails like the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Spot brilliantly coloured birds and butterflies and see water dragons basking in the sun.
Australia’s beach lifestyle is about relaxation and fun. There are hundreds of beaches on NSW’s coastline, which stretches more than 2,000 km. Bondi and Manly are the most famous beaches in Sydney and good natured rivals. Palm Beach is popular with fans of Home and Away, a hit international TV series.
You’ll discover tranquil beaches all around Sydney Harbour, such as Balmoral Beach, Camp Cove and Parsley Bay.
Some of the best surfing waves are south and north of the city and it’s a popular pastime at any time of the year. The home of Australian surf culture is credited as Freshwater, on Sydney’s northern beaches, where Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku popularised surfboard riding in the summer of 1914-15.
Surfing tours depart from Sydney to world-famous surf breaks on both the South Coast and North Coast of NSW.
At sunrise, when surfers begin riding waves and joggers limber up before their morning runs, recreational fishermen cast lines from the beach edge and rock platforms. Energetic or relaxing, it’s all part of the great Aussie beach lifestyle.

Bondi Beach

Manly Beach

Sydney Surf Beaches

South Coast Beaches
Discover some of NSW’s best surfing beaches on the South Coast. You’ll also find good casual dining at waterfront cafés and restaurants and plenty of exciting things to do, such as Skydive the Beach in Wollongong.

Central Coast Beaches

North Coast Beaches
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Barefoot Downunder
Barefoot Downunder is a passionate tour operator providing fun day trips from Sydney emphasising on outdoors and adventure. Tours explore the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains and the Figure Eight Pools in the Royal National Park.
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Ecotreasures
EcoTreasures is an accredited ecotourism company, providing tours of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Sydney Harbour National Park.
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Kingfisher Cruises
Nowhere else in the world can you experience such timeless, natural beauty and peace as when you are gliding through the World-Heritage listed Barmah Wetlands aboard the MV Kingfisher.
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Waratah Adventure Tours Sydney
Small-group touring specialist Waratah Adventure Tours operates full-day Blue Mountains tours with German speaking guides and commentary.
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Dolphin Swim Australia
Ever wanted to swim with dolphins in the wild? You can with Dolphin Swim Australia, the only dolphin swim in the wild permitted in NSW.
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Kiah Wilderness Tours
Kiah Wilderness Tours specialises in guided, small-group kayak tours on a pristine river near Eden on the NSW south coast, three hours’ drive from Canberra.