Vote for the best beach in the southeast
The Southern Courier is searching for the best beach in Sydney’s southeast. Vote for your top pick in our poll.
Sydney is known around the globe for its beautiful beaches, and the southeast is no exception.
Vote for your favourite summertime swimming spot below.
Yarra Bay Beach, 69 Yarra Rd, Phillip Bay
Accessible through Yarra Bay Bicentennial Park, Yarra Bay is a quiet family beach and fishing spot in Phillip Bay.
Steeped in a rich indigenous history, Yarra Bay Beach was nurtured by the Dharawal, Gweagal and Kameygal peoples for thousands of years. These local groups directed Governor Phillip to a freshwater source, Bunnerong Creek, in 1788.
Situated between Bumborah Point and Yarra Point, the beach features an artificial reef that’s been in place since 2006, promoting sustained growth of marine life.
Frenchman’s Bay, 36-50R Endeavour Avenue, La Perouse
Named after French explorer Francois de Galaup, comte de La Perouse who anchored in Botany Bay just six days after the First Fleet, Frenchman’s Bay is a unique west-facing beach with a low swell, ideal for younger swimmers.
Frenchmans Bay, or “Lapa beach” as its known by locals, is divided in two by a central groyne, with the southern section curving around to a high seawall backing onto the “Lapa Loop”.
Frenchmans Bay is especially popular on hot weekends, with a number of cafes across the road on Endeavour Ave, as well as a children’s park and grass reserve.
Congwong Beach, 1532R Anzac Parade, La Perouse
Congwong Beach is a beautiful clear-water bay with a south-facing aspect towards Bare Island Fort.
Popular with snorkellers, “Congy” is home to sea horses, moray eels and cuttlefish.
The beach is surrounded by bush land which can be explored using the Henry Head walking track.
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Next to Congwong Beach is Little Congwong, a more secluded swimming spot where textiles don’t seem to matter despite not being recognised as an official nude beach.
Little Bay Beach, 4R Coast Hospital Road, Little Bay
The word has spread about this once secret beach which can be accessed using an almost hidden staircase straddling the edge of The Coast Golf Club.
The beach is spilt in two by a protruding cluster of rocks which can be easily crossed when tides are low.
If you’re brave enough to climb the rock ledges to the south, they make for a perfect impromptu photo shoot location with a stunning ocean backdrop.
Malabar Beach, 1-3R Fishermans Road, Malabar
Malabar beach is another hidden gem that’s really only frequented by locals.
With a rock pool, two concealed shipwrecks and Cromwell Park just behind, there’s plenty to be explored at Malabar during a day trip.
Barbecue facilities are available at the adjacent park, making the sandy 200m strip an ideal place to enjoy a picnic lunch before a refreshing dip in the ocean.
Maroubra Beach, 1-11R Marine Parade, Maroubra
Patrolled year round by two surf life saving clubs, Maroubra Beach is one of Sydney’s most popular surfing locations with regular high swell.
With an outdoor gym, skatepark, children’s playground and centrally located showers and kiosk, Maroubra is a haven for everyone.
Snap a pic with the giant Rubik’s cube at Maroubra’s north end or take a stroll up to Mahon Pool on the headland which will have a brand new amenities building in mid 2019.
Coogee Beach, 111-131R Beach Street, Coogee
While the local Aboriginal word for Coogee means “smelly place”, the beach is kept in mint condition by Randwick City Council, as demonstrated by the large hordes of people on gathering here on weekends.
Wedding Cake Island acts as a buffer for waves at Coogee making the surf a bit calmer than its Maroubra neighbour, attracting families with younger kids.
Swimmers can enjoy the Giles Baths rock pool at the northern end, originally built in 1928, or the Ross Jones Memorial Pool located next to Coogee Surf Life Saving Club to the south.
Gordon’s Bay, Major Street, Coogee
A sheltered oasis, Gordon’s bay is small 75m long beach that is enveloped by dense vegetation and native flora.
Accessible to the public via the Coastal walkway, Gordon’s Bay has its very own underwater nature trail. A series of plaques attached to concrete drums dot the ocean floor, which snorkellers can follow to read about the sea ecosystem.
The wide rock platforms are also popular fishing locations.
Clovelly Beach, Clovelly Road, Clovelly
Patrolled during the summertime, Clovelly Beach is small narrow bay that is flanked by concrete promenades.
The promenades provide stair access to the water, but are frequently used by sunbathers to lay a towel out and soak up the sunshine.
Adjacent to Clovelly Beach is The Geoff James Pool, a 25m saltwater pool that can be used for lap swimming.
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