Sydney Gay Beaches

One of Sydney’s most famous beaches and the most popular beach with the gay community. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés at Bondi Beach, serving food and drinks all day. Remember, it is illegal to drink alcohol on the beach itself.

Take the train to Bondi Junction and then a bus the final 2 km to the beach. Or catch a bus from Circular Quay or Oxford Street (380 or 333 with destination of North Bondi or Dover Heights, Watson Bay or Bondi Beach).

Driving is not recommended as parking near the beach is severely limited.

This 100-metre-long official nudist beach overlooks Sydney Harbour and attracts a gay & lesbian crowd. Take everything you need for the day (water, snacks, etc.) as you will not find any outlets on or near the beach. The beach is sandy.

Obelisk Beach can be reached by public transport. Bus Route 244 leaves from City Wynyard to Chowder Bay. This is a pre-pay route, and you must purchase a ticket at a transit shop or ticket outlet before boarding the bus. Journey time is around 30 minutes.

It is easier to drive if you have a car and there is lots of parking in the nearby car park which you’ll find at the intersection of Chowder Bay Road and Middle Head Road. Walk south along Chowder Bay Road and you’ll find a clearly marked footpath on the left-hand side. Follow the path to the stone steps and you’ll arrive on what is perhaps the best gay nudist beach in Sydney!

Lady Jane (or Lady Bay) Beach is a relatively small nudist beach that attracts a mostly gay, though not exclusively gay, crowd.

Take the ferry from The Rocks to Watsons Bay then walk along the shoreline following signs to Lady Bay Beach and you’ll find some stairs down to the beach.

Although not a gay beach, Clovelly Beach attracts many gay travelers. It’s a smaller, quieter beach than some of Sydney’s more bustling beaches. A tranquil rocky outcrop you’ll find very appealing. You’ll find places to eat on the south side of the beach.

The beach is a quiet hangout for the local LGBT+ community who are drawn to its small scale and sense of community during the summer. Clovelly Beach is also home to a saltwater sea pool which allows for year-round swimming.

McIver’s Ladies Baths at Coogee are the ideal spot to relax and unwind if you’re a lady looking to spend time in the company of other women.

A diverse mix of women, you’ll find lesbian couples, mums with children and women whose religion forbids them to bathe in the company of men.

The baths have stunning ocean views. Make your way there by taking the steps that lead from Grant Reserve down the cliff to the pool.

McIver’s Ladies Baths is the last women’s-only seawater pool in Australia and has been in continuous use since its establishment in 1876.

They are open only to women and children.

The beautiful Manly Beach is one of Sydney’s northern beaches and a popular seaside destination in its own right. Manly’s long sandy beach is generally less crowded than Bondi Beach.

Although the beach does not have a specific gay area, it is popular with gay sunbathers who are less interested in the ‘scene’ and more ‘sea’.

To get to Manly, take the ferry from Circular Quay and then walk through Manly town centre to the beach. There is a huge choice of restaurants and cafés in the town and along the beachfront.

Designated nudist beach, located an hour south of Sydney, in Royal National Park. The coastal walking track which leads to Werrong Beach is in the southernmost area of the park.

The gay-popular section is very secluded as it requires a 30-minute walk through the bush to get there. Action can be expected right there on the beach. Swimming is not permitted due to the strong rips and currents.

Just around the corner from busy Bondi, Tamarama Beach is quiet and is one of the least crowded beaches in the city. Tamarama is arguably the most scenic of Sydney’s coastal environments and visitors can enjoy the breath-taking views across the bay.

The beach is also a great choice for groups of friends as the restrictions that prevent BBQs and small contained fires do not exist here, making it the perfect place for an evening gathering or picnic. Be warned that the sea here can be dangerous and violent riptides and currents are common even in the shallow areas, as such visitors are advised to stay out of the water unless lifeguards are on duty.

This isn’t a beach known for nude sunbathing or cruising, but definitely one to enjoy if you’re visiting Sydney.

At the end of Anzac Parade (about 15 km southeastern of Sydney CBD), there is a beach called Congwong Beach. And if you walk to the East End and walk over the rocks, there is another beach called ‘Little Congwong Beach’. This is a mixed nudist beach which does have a good population of gay guys – though it’s not one of Sydney’s official nudist beaches like Lady Bay or Obelisk.

At the eastern end of this little beach is a headland with a lot of bush areas where you may find the occasional guy cruising.