Best Beaches In & Near Dover Heights

By The Beach Guide | Last Updated: September 18, 2023

Map featuring Dover Heights beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

1. Camp Cove Beach

© Diliff / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Camp Cove sits on the inner coast of South Head, the headland guarding the entrance to Sydney Harbour. As such the beach is not only sheltered but commands spectacular views back over the harbour and towards the city.
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2. Bondi Beach

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Bondi is possibly Australia's most famous beach and to many sums up the Australian way of life. This iconic Sydney beach is every bit as cosmopolitan as the city with a beach scene encompassing everything from surfing to cafe society to lively nightlife. As long as you know what to expect Bondi will not disappoint - it's busy, it's bold and it's brash, but most importantly Bondi is what you… read more »
3. Tamarama Beach

© eyeintim / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Next door neighbour to Sydney's most famous beach, Bondi, is the dimunitve Tamarama beach. This little beach is possibly deeper than it is wide, although at only about 80 metres that isn't too dificult.
Often referred to as 'Glamarama' the beach here is where the beautiful people come to top up their tans. The nickname however dates back to the 1980s when Tamarama was known as the gayest beach in Sydney.… read more »
4. Bronte Beach

© eyeintim / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Bronte beach is situated in Sydney's eastern suburbs between Bondi and Coogee beaches. From either of beach it is an easy walk of about 2km along the paved clifftop path. However, if you fancy a swim there is an anual swim held every December between Bondi and Bronte.
For those who feel they aren't quite ready to take on the open ocean Bronte offers a couple of other swimming options. For… read more »
5. Obelisk Beach

© Ernest McGray, Jr. / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Situated within the greenery of Sydney Harbour National Park is a secluded, pretty little sandy cove. Obelisk Beach is tucked away behind Middle Head, only a stone's throw from Mosman and neighbouring Balmoral Beach. However, this hidden beach feels a world apart being sufficiently off the beaten track to rarely attract a crowd.
Getting to Obelisk beach involves at least some walking including a long set of steps. It is probably… read more »
6. Dee Why Beach

© Merbabu / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Located in the heart of the Northern Beaches, Dee Why Beach is about 22 km from Sydney's CBD, just north of Curl Curl and south of Long Reef Point. The sandy 1.2km spit of beach backs onto the Dee Why Lagoon and Wildlife Refuge.
Dee Why Beach has excellent facilities for families including an ocean swimming pool for safe swimming on the point, picnic areas and a special toddler play… read more »
7. Coogee Beach

© Sardaka / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Coogee Beach is one of the oldest beachside suburbs south of Sydney. Well developed, it has all the trademarks of a beach lifestyle with good amenities. These include the last remaining women's and children's ocean baths in Australia known as Wylie's Baths and McIvers Baths!
The inviting white sands and generally calm surf are popular with families. It is perfect in all seasons for walking, swimming, surfing and snorkelling and the… read more »
8. Nielsen Park

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Don't let the name scare you off, but Shark beach in Nielsen Park is one of Sydney's very finest beaches. Not only do you not have to worry about sharks (the beach is netted) it is also tucked away on the sheltered side of South Head meaning there are no Pacific waves to knock you off your feet. Combine this with great views over the harbour towards the city and… read more »
9. Nielsen Park

© Eddy Milfort / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Don't let the name scare you off, but Shark beach in Nielsen Park is one of Sydney's very finest beaches. Not only do you not have to worry about sharks (the beach is netted) it is also tucked away on the sheltered side of South Head meaning there are no Pacific waves to knock you off your feet. Combine this with great views over the harbour towards the city and… read more »
10. Malabar Beach

© Adam.J.W.C. / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Malabar Beach is one of the less well-known beaches in the south of Sydney, not far from the airport. The name comes from one of two shipwrecks that lie in the bay: the MV Malabar, with the other being the the Goolwa.
Facing southeast, Malabar Beach is enclosed by rocky headlands at either end with cliffs providing shelter from offshore winds. Generally it's ideal for all types of watersports as the… read more »
11. Manly Beach

© Enochlau / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

With a regular ferry running between downtown Sydney to the North Shore suburb of Manly it is no surprise that this long stretch of fine sand is as popular as ever. The town here is very much centred around the beach and this in turn attracts travellers from all over the globe who come here to soak up the sun, party and ride the world-famous waves.
Perhaps Manly beach's most iconic… read more »
12. Balmoral Beach

© Anton Leddin / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Balmoral beach isn't just a posh name, this is one of the most upmarket neighbourhoods on the northern side of Sydney Harbour. Beautiful homes nestle in the the leafy streets clinging to the hillside, overlooking any number of fancy yachts moored out in the bay. Located only 8km from sowntown Sydney most can only imagine what the real estate prices are like here.
Tucked in behind Middle Head this pair of… read more »
14. Lady Bay Beach

© bfdingo / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Also known as Lady Jane Beach, this little beach is located just around the corner from Camp Cove in Watsons Bay. The beach here sits on the sheltered harbour-facing side of South Head making it and ideal spot for taking a dip, or just taking in the views across the harbour. And don't worry if you forget your cozzie, Lady Bay is also a designated nude bathing area.
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15. Gordon's Bay

Martin7d2

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Something of a secret beach, if they exist in Sydney, the tiny Gordon's Bay is situated about halfway between Clovelly and Coogee beaches. The small patch of sand here is flanked by sandstone cliffs with an offshore reef providing shelter from the waves. This makes it something of a favourite spot for fishing, diving and launching small boats. This is fairly evident when you visit the beach with the racks… read more »
16. Washaway Beach

© Doug Beckers / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Washaway Beach faces east into Sydney Harbour with superb views across to Balmoral and the Manley Ferry coming and going. After a storm, the sand really does get washed away, exposing the rocky slab beneath! At other times it boasts a 200m stretch of sand and waves usually 0.5m or more, depending on the outside swell.
At high tide you may have to sunbathe on the rocks. Not surprisingly, this remote… read more »
17. Shelly Beach

Hardlinerr

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Shelly Beach is a real gem, just a short ferry ride from Sydney or a 20-minute walk south along Marine Parade from well-known Manly Beach. Tucked beneath the Shelly Head Lookout, it faces west and is very sheltered.
The 100m long beach got its name as the sand is made up of broken seashells so it's rather coarse and not terribly good for building sandcastles. However, it's within the no-take… read more »
18. Clovelly Beach

© J Bar / CC BY

Travel time from Dover Heights: approx 0.5 hrs

Situated 9 km southeast of downtown Sydney, Clovelly Beach has something for everyone with great sand for castle-building and plenty of marine life for snorkellers and scuba enthusiasts. Lined on either side with concrete promenades and beachfront cafes, the small beach is at the head of a narrow inlet overlooked by Bundock Park to the south.
While the sandy area is a winner with children, the concrete platforms and steps on… read more »

Best Beaches In & Near Dover Heights

1. Camp Cove Beach

2. Bondi Beach

3. Tamarama Beach

4. Bronte Beach

5. Obelisk Beach

6. Dee Why Beach

7. Coogee Beach

8. Nielsen Park

9. Nielsen Park

10. Malabar Beach

11. Manly Beach

12. Balmoral Beach

13. Milk Beach

14. Lady Bay Beach

15. Gordon's Bay

16. Washaway Beach

17. Shelly Beach

18. Clovelly Beach

19. Rose Bay

20. Seven Shillings Beach

Australia Regions

New South Wales

Queensland

Sydney

Victoria

Western Australia

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