Watson’s Bay travel guide

Watson’s Bay, on the leeward side of South Head, guarding the mouth of Sydney Harbour, provides an ideal city escape and is best reached by ferry from Circular Quay. As well as being home to one of Sydney’s oldest and most famous seafood restaurants – Doyle’s – it offers some quiet coves, attractive swimming beaches and peninsula walks. The best beaches are to be found at Camp Cove about 10 minutes’ walk north of the ferry terminal. A little further north is Lady Bay Beach, which is very secluded and a popular naturist beach.

The best walk in the area is the one- to two-hour jaunt to the 1858 Hornby Lighthouse and South Head itself, then south to the HMAS Watson Naval Chapel and the area known as The Gap. The area also boasts some interesting historical sites. Camp Cove was used by Governor Phillip as an overnight stop before reaching Port Jackson in the Inner Harbour. Vaucluse House (Wentworth Rd) was built in 1827 and is a fine example of an early colonial estate. Many people spend a morning exploring Watson’s Bay before enjoying a leisurely lunch at Doyle’s, which sits just above the beach and ferry terminal on Marine Parade, or next door at the Watson’s Bay Hotel, a more casual affair offering equally good views of the city skyline and a superb outdoor barbecue area.

To get to Watson's Bay: Ferry from Circular Quay, Wharves 2 and 4, or bus No 342 or 325.