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Sydney has some of the most spectacular and well-known beaches in the country, and even the world.
It also, therefore, has some of the most sought-after beachside suburbs.
The great thing about these suburbs from both a lifestyle and an investment perspective is the fact that they are landlocked.
That is, there is no opportunity to add supply to the mix.
There may be some free-standing homes that get transformed into duplexes, or some may be zoned for conversion into apartments.
But overall, these suburbs can’t have thousands of new properties added to supply the same way an outer-suburb master-planned community can.
That means these areas are the trifecta:
- The sought-after location ensures ongoing demand
- Finite supply levels to keep pressure on price growth
- Close to the beach – a resource and attraction that never goes out of favour.
Now, these suburbs don’t come cheap.
But between the laid-back lifestyle, spectacular views and huge capital growth potential, you may come to the conclusion that they’re definitely worth it.
We’re counting down the 10 best beach suburbs in Harbour city.
Whether you’re a local looking for a new home or a tourist hoping to experience the best Sydney has to offer, you’ll find some of the best suburbs we have to offer on this list.
Which one will take out the number 1 spot?
10. Tamarama
A beautiful spot to swim, picnic and explore, Tamarama is nestled beside Bondi, in the middle of the Bondi to Bronte Ocean Walk.
Each year Tamarama beach hosts a world-famous sand sculpture exhibition and is also home to one of the first surf lifesaving clubs in the world.
Tamarama is around 6km from the CBD, an easy commute for professional workers.
9. Palm Beach
Palm Beach is the perfect spot for Sydneysiders who love the great outdoors, with national parks, beautiful beaches and the amazing Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
The median house price in Palm Beach as of January 2022 is sizeable at $5.56m, which is pretty steep for a suburb 40km from the CBD – but once you’ve seen the view from the lighthouse, you’ll understand why.
8. Cronulla
Safe, patrolled beaches, rock baths and loads of great restaurants and cafes – what more could you want?
Cronulla has had a bit of a “colourful” reputation in the past, but it’s on the up, and it’s not hard to see what’s drawing people to the area.
Along with the pristine water, it boasts gorgeous sand dunes and a number of fantastic parks.
And, if it’s good enough for the Prime Minister, it could be good enough for you.
7. Rose Bay
Rose Bay is the ideal seaside suburb for families, tucked away behind bustling Bondi.
This waterfront suburb has a $5.3m median price, but for that investment, you’re getting loads of green spaces and great schools, along with the coveted beachside convenience and lifestyle.
One of the only downsides to this petite suburb is its lack of a train station, but there are plenty of buses to connect residents to the CBD or to the local Bondi Junction or Edgecliff train stations.
6. Mosman
Can’t decide between seaside views or native bushland?
Look no further than Mosman!
The sparkling water is perfectly paired with leafy greenery, and it’s just 8km from the CBD on the Lower North Shore.
The main shopping and restaurants strips have plenty of boutiques, cafes and bars, and it’s also home to Taronga Zoo.
5. Coogee
Coogee is an upmarket suburb that offers plenty for families, including schools, parks and, of course, beautiful beaches.
It’s a great place to live if you enjoy a dip in the ocean, with a beautiful beach sheltered within the bay.
The beaches are family-friendly, and the famous Coogee Pavilion is a real drawcard.
4. Freshwater
Freshwater is the 20th most expensive suburb in the country.
Boasting epic sunrises and beaches to die for, the area is widely accepted as being the birthplace of Australian surfing, thanks to a visit by Hawaiian World Champion Duke Kahanamoku back in 1914.
Freshwater is 17km from the CBD in the Northern Beaches.
3. Umina Beach
Okay, so it’s a fair hike out of Sydney, but Umina Beach may be worth the 85km drive from the CBD.
It’s a beachside oasis with a genuine community feel, where the neighbours still nod hello and kids are riding bikes or playing cricket together on Sunday afternoon.
An excellent option for families with parents who work in the city centre, where you can still score a beachside property for less than a million bucks.
2. Dee Why
Café culture and beachfront bliss, without all the tourists and Insta-famous D-list celebrities? Yes, please!
It’s 18km from the CBD, so it’s far away enough that you won’t feel like you’re caught up in the inner-city rat race, but it’s still close enough for a comfortable commute.
There’s even abundant local wildlife, thanks to Dee Why Lagoon.
1. Bondi
Bondi is the quintessential Sydney beach suburb, and for good reason.
There’s the beach, café and shops, the CBD is just 7km away, and the vibe simply can’t be recreated.
Living near this world-famous beach isn’t cheap, with houses averaging $4.43 million in January 2022, but if you’re happy to settle for a small apartment you could get into the market with a change from $1 million.
So, there you have it.
Whether you’ve got $5 million-plus to splash out on a ritzy Palm Beach pad, or you’re hoping to secure a slice of beachside bliss in Umina for a more affordable $1 million, there’s a waterside suburb for everyone in Sydney.
