The popular Sydney swimming spots reopening for summer

Marrinawi Cove

Marrinawi Cove is back open for (swimming) business. (Image: Destination NSW)

Barangaroo’s much-loved swim spot, Marrinawi Cove, has officially reopened just in time for summer. And it’s showing off a bunch of brand new upgrades.

Leisure-seekers can now enjoy more room to relax, both in and out of the water, thanks to an additional 150 square metres of swimming space and a larger leisure area on land – beachside picnic, anyone? There’s also a new platform that is non-slip, as well as a few other accessibility improvements, and a new double outdoor shower.

To celebrate, and to send Sydneysiders into summer with a bang, a summer holiday activation will feature free live music and pop-up shops selling gelato and barista-made coffee, every weekend from Saturday 6 December until March.

“[This will] further add to the atmosphere of this incredible harbourside space where Sydneysiders and visitors can enjoy a refreshing saltwater dip right in the heart of the city," said Scully, adding that all harbourside precincts could expect some land-based fun this year.

“Beyond swimming, there will be free festive fun including concerts and Christmas markets in all our harbourside precincts from The Rocks to Barangaroo and Darling Harbour to deliver a vibrant and cheerful season for visitors and locals alike".

Pondi (Penrith Beach)

Pondi offers a closer swimming option for Western Sydney. (Image: Vince Basile)

Meanwhile, out west, the manmade Penrith Beach (colloquially dubbed Pondi) is set to reopen this weekend, on Saturday 6 December. And swimmers can expect extended swimming hours (from 7am to 7pm in the peak of summer) and more shade and amenities than before. Not to mention, this is the only beach in Sydney that boasts views of the Blue Mountains.

Expect shaded seating areas and outdoor showers, added to the previously existing change rooms and accessible toilets, and a hydration station. Pondi is free to access, with over 350 parking spaces available, plus a free shuttle bus from Penrith Station.

“We have seen Penrith Beach boom in popularity over the past two years, with more than 330,000 people voting with their feet and enjoying this new swim spot," shared Acting Minister for Western Sydney, Courtney Houssos.

“Penrith Beach has quickly become a favourite spot for people right across Western Sydney, and [new] funding means families can keep enjoying it. It’s convenient, it’s free and it’s designed with accessibility and safety at its heart," added Member for Penrith Karen McKeown.

“Whether you’re coming for a swim, taking part in a water-safety program or simply enjoying a day out with the kids, Penrith Beach showcases the best of what our community offers".

The beach will open daily through to April 2026, and water quality will be regularly tested and publicly reported – so you can be sure a dip is both clean and safe.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

The pop-up Sydney swimming spots set to reopen in time for summer

This weekend will be full of new swimming spots, from Penrith to Barangaroo.

Marrinawi Cove

Pondi (Penrith Beach)

Bedlam Bay

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This stretch of Sydney beaches topped the annual Best Australian Beaches list

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.