So you are in Sydney with no car and you want to get to the Beach. Well, thanks to the public transport that so many locals bitterly complain about you can. In fact, some of our best beaches are the easiest to get to as well.

Bondi Beach

You can catch a bus to the beach all the way from the City but it takes 45 minutes and can take even longer in bad traffic.  The alternative is to take a train to Bondi Junction station and the jump on a bus. Buses leave every 10 minutes from right above the station to Bondi Beach.

The train departs from Town Hall, Martin Place or Kings Cross and it takes about 10 minutes to reach Bondi Junction.  Buses from the Junction take about 15 minutes try to catch the  380, 381, 382 or 333.

The bus journey is more scenic so if you are only making this trip once and you are up for some site-seeing try the buses instead of the train.  They leave from Circular Quay and travel up Elizabeth St into Oxford St.  Look out for the 333 – it’s the express option and will get you there a little quicker.  These buses are pre-paid so buy your ticket before you board.

Oh and while you are there try not to feature on Bondi Rescue

Cronulla Beach

At the opposite end of the Bondi Junction, train line is Sydney’s longest beach Cronulla. Located 45 mins by train south of the city centre, it is the only Sydney beach that has a railway station.  If you want a day at the beach with the locals and not a bunch of other travellers you ought to consider this it’s less crowded, has great surf, nice cafes and restaurants and an attractive shopping street.  There is also a YHA here if you fancy staying somewhere a little quieter than Bondi.  Try the Voodoo pie at the Cronulla Pie shop. They are legendary!

Check on some more great photos of Cronulla Beach by local photographer Micheal Sutton.

Manly Beach

My favourite beach for visitors because it offers so much in one place.  The 30-minute ferry ride gets you out on the harbour. The beach itself is gorgeous and not usually as jam-packed as Bondi and there are lots of really great dining choices and bars here to help pass a sunny afternoon.   Don’t miss the walk to Shelley Beach and the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Park. I think it’s one of the best free Sydney animal experiences.

Take the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay.  If you are a family try going on a Sunday and using the Sunday Funday Ticket option to save money on transport costs.

Balmoral Beach

Balmoral is a beautiful harbour beach that is on the list for two reasons. First, the beach is home to lots of large fig trees that fringe the beach providing much-needed shade in the summer and secondly it’s home to the Bathers Cafe.

To get here, you can catch the 244 or the 247 bus from Wynyard to Military Road, Mosman; then it’s about a 900m walk to the beach.  Other buses go closer but they need a change.  Check 131500 for your options if the walk is a problem for you.  You can also walk from Taronga Zoo via one of my favourite Sydney Walks

Please before you head to the beach if you are not a strong swimmer familiar with ocean swimming please spend 5 minutes reading this page from Surf Lifesaving NSW about beach safety.

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