This narrow, 80-metre strip of sand between the headlands at Tamarama has an air of luxurious seclusion, rare for a city Sydney beach and especially surprising given its proximity to the busiest beach in the country. 

Named after the Indigenous word that means "swirling waters", Bilgola is hidden away at the bottom of a hill, behind a jungle of palm trees and lantana — if you're not paying attention, you'll miss this fabulous Sydney beach. 

The first beach north of Manly, Freshwater is the official birthplace of surfing in Australia; the sport was first popularised here in 1915 by Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian traveller who famously carved a surfboard from local timber.

When you're pulling together a list of the best beaches in Sydney, it's hard to go past the classics. While Bondi may be Australia's best known (and therefore most over-populated) beach, it still holds a place for locals.

Another stunning stretch of Sydney sand, Manly Beach is hard to beat in charm — from the ferry ride over from the city to the busy promenade, the tree-lined Sydney beach and the clear blue waves. 

Hugged by the headlands and surrounded by a perfect picnicking park, Bronte is one of the loveliest and most accessible city beaches in Sydney. The quiet and unpretentious beach is the perfect place to dive into the water post-walk from Bondi.

Located near the tip of the northern beaches in Sydney, Avalon is a destination for wave chasers, with a large surf community based in the area. Even if you don't surf, it's a great place to watch the pros in action. 

Shelly Beach is pristine for a reason — it's part of a protected marine reserve called Cabbage Tree Bay, and so boasts especially clean, turquoise waters filled with exotic fish. 

It's no surprise Palm Beach stars in a television show — this Home & Away beach is one of the most beautiful places in Sydney. It's surrounded by water on three sides: east is the Pacific Ocean, west is Pittwater and north is Broken Bay.

Sometimes you just want to pack the esky, haul your umbrella to the beach and set up camp for a whole day by the waves. Other days, you just want a quick dip without getting sand in your togs.