Camp Cove named in top 20 beaches in Australia but Bondi missed out

CAMP COVE at Watsons Bay in Sydney’s east has been named in the top 20 beaches in Australia but, surprisingly, the iconic Bondi and other Sydney beaches missed out.

Camp Cove came in at number 16 in the “101 Best Beaches”, ranking all 11,761 of Australia’s beaches.

WATSONS Bay’s Camp Cove has been named in the top 20 beaches in Australia but Bondi missed out.

The results were part of the “101 Best Beaches” list, released this week, which ranked all 11,761 of Australia’s beaches.

Cossies Beach in the Cocos Islands came first, Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island second and Moonee Beach third.

Divers off Camp Cove where the water is calm and clear.

Camp Cove was ranked sixteenth but Bondi Beach, nor any other eastern beach, made the top 20.

Beach expert Brad Farmer said he spent five months researching and compiling his list with the help of Sydney University coastal studies expert Professor Andrew Short.

On his website, Mr Farmer wrote Camp Cove was “a casual walk along the million dollar shorelines”.

“Camp Cove is an alternative to blustering beach days at Bondi or Coogee beaches, some of the eastern suburbs’ most popular ocean beaches,” he said.

Camp Cove is quiet and family friendly and is situated in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs.

Guy Klamer was kayaking with his wife at Camp Cove this week.

“I’ve been at Bondi Beach every day for the past 10 days prior to being on Camp Cove today,” he said.

“They are both beautiful. Camp Cove is unique because it’s quiet, calm to swim in and family friendly.”

Kim and Guy Klamer at Camp Cove.

Minister for Regional Development and Territories Fiona Nash joined Mr Farmer to announce the list of the best Australian beaches at Bondi at the weekend.

“I’m sure everyone has a favourite beach on this list and nearly all Australians have great memories of the beach – cricket, surfing or a barbecue with mates,” Ms Nash said.

“Our beaches are the world’s best and we have so many more outside of just Sydney and the Gold Coast.”

Camp Cove has been named in the top 20 beaches in Australia

However, Mr Farmer, founder of Ocean Care Day and the Surfriders Foundation, said Bondi made the top 101 beaches list.

“It’s iconic,” he said.

Busy Bondi didn’t even make the top 20 list.

Australia’s Top 20 beaches

#1 Cossies Beach, Cocos (Keeling) Islands INDIAN OCEAN

#2 Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

#3 Moonee Beach, Coffs Coast NEW SOUTH WALES

#4 Turquoise Bay, Coral Coast, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

#5 Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, QUEENSLAND

#6 Maslin Beach, Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

#7 Dolly Beach, Christmas Island, INDIAN OCEAN

#8 Shelly Beach, Nambucca Coast, NEW SOUTH WALES

#9 Boat Harbour Beach, North West Coast, TASMANIA

#10 Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, VICTORIA

#11 Horseshoe Bay Beach, Capricorn Coast, QUEENSLAND

#12 Garie Beach, Royal National Park, Sydney, NEW SOUTH WALES

#13 Merewether Beach, Newcastle, NEW SOUTH WALES

#14 Long Beach, Great Keppel Island, Capricorn Coast, QUEENSLAND

#15 Hawks Nest Beach, Myall Coast, NEW SOUTH WALES

#16 Camp Cove, Sydney, NEW SOUTH WALES

#17 Broken Head Beach, Byron Coast, NEW SOUTH WALES

#18 Narrawallee Beach, Shoalhaven Coast, NEW SOUTH WALES

#19 Dynamite Bay, Coral Coast, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

#20 Ellis Beach, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Dolphins swim off Avalon