We recently asked the Parramatta District Mums Facebook group (with 2,200 members) what their favourite Sydney beaches were. Interestingly, the favourites are very different to the list of closest beaches to Parramatta.

There are a LOT on the list that I haven’t taken my little ones to yet, mainly because they are further away and surf beaches. I look forward to exploring them with our boys as they get older. For now, I am very happy to stick to our favourites of Clifton Gardens, Northbridge Baths, Parsley Bay and Cabarita Beach, which are perfect for my two boys under 4.
Click on the beach name for further details, with most taking you to a review by Hello Sydney Kids – thanks! Or use our Google Map with all the beaches marked.
1Balmoral Beach (31kms) | Mosman

Metered parking near beach or 2hr free parking in streets, fenced playground, cafes, shark net, toilets, unpatrolled.
Address: The Esplanade, Mosman
2Manly Beach (35.3kms) | Manly

Council carparks, ocean pools, surf beach, cafes, toilets, long beachfront promenade, bbqs, picnic spots, patrolled.
Address: North Steyne, Manly
3Freshwater Beach (37kms) | Freshwater

Sheltered, ocean pool (northern end), kiosk, toilets, Council carpark, playground at reserve, no shade on beach but shade at reserve, patrolled.
Address: Beach Street, Freshwater
4Palm Beach (53kms) | Palm Beach

Metered street parking, carpark at Barrenjoey Point, surf beach, ocean pool (southern end), toilets, no shade on beach, shade on grass stripe behind beach, cafes, patrolled.
Address: Ocean Road, Palm Beach
5Shelly Beach (37kms) | Manly

Limited metered parking, no shark net, toilets, kiosk and cafe, shade on the beach, calm waters, no playground, grassed area in reserve behind, bbqs, picnic tables, unpatrolled.
Address: Bower Street, Manly
6Clontarf Beach (33.6kms) | Clontarf

Metered parking, shark net, shaded playground, toilets, kiosk, no shade on beach but shade in reserve behind, no waves, unpatrolled.
Address: Sandy Bay Road, Clontarf
7Dee Why Beach (35.7kms) | Dee Why

Street parking and carpark (behind the surf-lifesaving club), surf beach, ocean pools (southern end) with a toddler pool, fenced playground near pools, shade in the reserve, toilets, cafes, small promenade to ride on, bbqs, picnic tables, patrolled.
Address: The Strand, Dee Why
8Clifton Gardens Beach (32kms) | Mosman

Metered parking at beach, unrestricted/ free parking up the hill, fenced and shaded playground, grassed area, bbqs, picnic tables, kiosk, toilets, shark net, jetty, shade on beach, unpatrolled.
Address: Beach Wky, Mosman
9Bondi Beach (32.7kms)

Metered parking, large beach, kids ocean pool (north end), fenced playground, toilets, cafes, no shade, patrolled by surf lifesavers.
Address: Campbell Parade, Bondi
10Bronte Beach (33.1kms)

Shallow rock pool, toilets, no shade on beach, shade and covered picnic tables in park behind, playground, mini train on weekends, kiosk, cafes, patrolled by surf lifesavers.
Address: Bronte Road, Bronte
11Coogee Beach (33.6kms)

Metered parking or restricted parking further away from beach, large beach, grassed area, no shade on beach, ocean pool, ocean baths, toilets, playgrounds, fairly sheltered beach (usually calm water), patrolled by surf lifesavers.
Address: Arden Street, Coogee
12Whale Beach (50kms) | Whale Beach

Metered street parking, ocean pool (southern end), cafes, toilets, shade, playground, bqqs and picnic tables at the reserve at the southern end of the beach, patrolled.
Address: The Strand, Whale Beach
13Nielsen Park Beach/ Shark Beach (33.2kms) | Vaucluse

No waves, shark net, kiosk, toilets, shade, grassed area, unrestricted and restricted parking, unpatrolled.
Address: Greycliffe Ave, Vaucluse
14Narrabeen Lagoon/ Lakes (39kms) | North Narrabeen

Council carpark and street parking, cafes, playgrounds, toilets, calm waters, grassed areas, fishing, water sports, trail around entire lagoon for walking or riding on, bbqs, picnic tables, unpatrolled.
Address: Wakehurst Parkway, North Narrabeen or or Pittwater Road, Narrabeen
15Cronulla Beach (38.7kms) | Cronulla

Street and off-street parking, cafes, toilets, playgrounds, surf beach, ocean pools, picnic tables, long esplanade track, patrolled.
Address: Gerrale Street, Cronulla
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