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As a cruel arctic winter envelops much of North America, Australia is literally sweltering in another record-breaking heatwave. With the summer crowds, pouring out of the Sydney CBD this week for the nearest refreshing solution, the team at Xinhua, Sydney bureau have selected what we think are the best of the best – Sydney's top beaches and what they offer for those looking to escape the grinding heat.
- TAMARAMA
For easy access and glorious surf, Tama (as its known locally) this sliver of a strip of sand between the headlands at Tamarama provides glamour and seclusion in equal measure – Sydney's beach of luxury.
Its rare anywhere in the world for a city beach and especially surprising given its proximity to the nonsense and noise that Bondi, just around the corner provides. Here you'll find the super models and the serious surfers all rubbing shoulders beneath the gaze of multi-million dollar beach apartments. Just renovated for coffee drinking pleasure - the picturesque Beach Cafe, where a cooling juice and a sunburnt waitress will while away the hours as you watch the beautiful people wandering by.
- AVALON
Serene and sexy, Avalon is the last of the great, open beaches as you head north towards the coast, a favouite with surfing locals, sporty go-getters and families alike. Bit of a journey from the CBD, but worth the adventure
The common folktale is that this was the preferred location for the mega-hit and Hasslehoff hit, Baywatch
Great headland walks and smashing ice cream cafes.
- BRONTE
And just next door to Tama, hugged by the headlands and notable for its massive, family friendly picnicking park, Bronte is one of the loveliest and most accessible hidden secrets of the city.
Topped by a luscious valley of green, Bronte is the perfect place to dive into the water after the coastal walk from Bondi. Strong currents mean its best just to splash in the shallows, but a strong of trendy cafes also invite the lazy long lunches which make city like in Sydney so special.
BBQ's, provided by the council are everywhere if a long BBQ and beverage is more your style.
- FRESHWATER
Freshwater is the first beach north of Manly, boasting one of Australia's best natural-rock pools.
Freshwater claims to be the official birthplace of surfing in Australia – the story goes that some random Hawaiian swimmer started trying to impress the local girls with some trickly moves on a board – it worked.
- BONDI
Yes, it's worth a visit. Magnet for rippled and muscular body sculpters, Hollywood stars and mostly backpackers looking to get as red as possible as quickly as possible - Bondi may be Australia’s best known (and therefore over-populated) beach, it still has its charms and shouldn’t be left entirely to the mercy of tourists.
North Bondi i is the best place to swim, and if you go mid-week you'll be able to appreciate Bondi for with a slightly less raucous crowd.
Best plan is to head in the afternoon, before sipping cocktails and watching the surfers I the early evening at the world famous Bond icebergs.
- MANLY
Manly is a ferry ride away from the harbor, but often a world away from that part of Sydney that refuses to go north. A well beaten track for tourists and lets face it - the glorious ferry ride is a rite of passage for anyone born and bred in Sydney, and makes a beautiful beach all the more lovely.
Fabulous ice cream and great pubs abound.
- WHALEBEACH
Epic, as the name suggests. Relaxed, sheltered and beautiful, WhaleBeach feels like you've left the city, the country and the universe far behind. One of the most beautiful spots on Sydney's famed Northern Beaches. Worth a weekend.
- PALMBEACH
This is a beach for the morning. A glorious place to run, jumop and hide from the bustle of Sydney. An old-fashioned 20's style beach, with a relaxed cropd.
The Sydney-centric kiosk was shut down a few years ago and replaced by fancy restaurants to suit the billionaire locals who have their summer houses here, so make sure to bring your own home-cooked fish and chips.
Nearby the Boathouse on Pittwater is an ideal setting for a romantic brunch before stealing kisses in the surf.
