No car? No problem. Here is the absolute beginner’s guide to Sydney’s three best beaches by bus. Not too far. Not too crowded. Remember to buy a PrePay ticket from a newsagent as Sydney buses don’t take cash. All bus journeys are calculated from the centre of the city – near Town Hall train station or Central train station. Hot tip – go for breakfast on a weekday. Avoid the worst of the sun and spend the early morning crowd-free.
BALMORAL BEACH – 45 MINUTES AWAY
The best beach breakfast in Sydney, in the spectacular old Bathers’ Pavilion, right on the sand. You can dine here all day, of course – they also serve afternoon tea – the restaurant is pricier and more glamorous. Catch your bus here.
This is a small beach with a big history. Look for the rotunda, where so many Sydney couples have got married over the years. You can splash around at Balmoral, watch the local yummy mummies doing yoga on the grass, or just bring a book. It’s quiet and there are plenty of green spaces to picnic, or just sit.
BRONTE BEACH – 30 MINUTES
Hop on the bus and go. Let everyone else brave the hordes at Bondi! You’ll be around the corner at chic Bronte Beach. Three Blue Ducks is open for breakfast at 7am in a chic strip of cafes and restaurants just up from the beach. It’s won one hat in the prestigious Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide for 2012. In summer 2013 they were serving mains around $26 for lunch including pan-seared barramundi and roast pumpkin salad.
This is a big, beautiful beach with turquoise waves and soft sand. It’s a classic Australian beach, just 2km from Bondi, but another world away. There is a pool at the end, if you’d rather avoid the waves. There are lifeguards from the famous Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club. You can picnic here and bring your own fish or meat, to use the outdoor barbecue hotplates too. What’s not to love?
MANLY BEACH – ONE HOUR
Well, you could go by bus. However – if you’d like to dramatically speed up the one-hour bus journey, see Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge – and go by ferry – then take the train to Circular Quay station. Once you get out you’ll see all the ferry terminals in front of you – Manly will be clearly marked. The Manly Wharf Hotel is right on the water and has great views, if you want lunch or dinner in an old-fashioned Australian beach setting. It has a huge floorboarded outside area, shielded from the sun by table umbrellas, and you’ll be dining or drinking, just a stone’s throw from the boats.
The Corso is a short walk away and it’s the main shopping strip. This is where you find ice-cream, prawns, thongs (flip-flops) and some surprisingly interesting shops. It’s not all about plastic buckets. Get a massage here. Try a psychic reading at this well-known new age bookshop. Visit the weekend markets here if you’re okay with the crowds.
