Best beaches NSW: Where to find Parsley Bay Beach in Sydney

Beach lovers have been ditching the crowds at Bondi Beach to go to a little-known inner-city swimming spot before the winter weather hits. 

Parsley Bay Beach is tuck away in a sheltered inlet, protected from the choppy seas, in the eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, just over 11km from the city’s centre. 

Visitors can set up on the white sandy bank or along the rocky shoreline to take a dip in the stunning bay’s sparkling blue waters. 

Adding to the picturesque scenery of the suburban oasis is the 100-year-old suspension footbridge which stretches over the water. 

Since it has been a popular bathing spot since the 1930s, there is a shark net to protect swimmers from lurking marine life. 

Parsley Bay is tuck away in a sheltered inlet, protected from the choppy seas, in the suburb of Vaucluse, just over 11km from the city’s centre

Visitors can set up on the white sandy bank or along the rocky shoreline to take a dip in the stunning bay’s sparkling blue waters

For those who don’t want to get their hair wet, there is a short 20-minute return walking trail that takes hikers to a trickling waterfall at the head of the gully. 

Some lucky walkers may even be able to spot the area’s resident Eastern water Dragons that like to bask in the sun.  

There is also a vast green space with plenty of shady spots as well as a kid’s playground.  

Beach-goers have been raving about the eastern suburbs’ secret with one calling it an ‘absolute gem’. 

For those who don’t want to get their hair wet, there is a short 20-minute return walking trail that takes hikers to a trickling waterfall at the head of the gully 

Since it has been a popular bathing spot since the 1930s, there is a shark net to protect swimmers from lurking marine life

Beach-goers have been raving about the eastern suburbs secret with one calling it an ‘absolute gem’

‘It’s a fantastic swimming spot, with a path along one edge from shore to shark net, that has a fancy wooden-stepped ladder halfway along and ramp access at the far end,’ one woman said. 

‘These enable you to enter the bay where the water is cleanest, clearest and deepest…and its so clear out there! You can see every detail on the sea floor and the fishes that seem to like to follow you.’ 

‘Our favourite Sydney beach. Safe swimming and snorkelling. Very clear water teaming with life,’ another wrote.