Watsons Bay is one of our favourite places in Sydney. Despite the fact we don’t live far away, it just has those feel good holiday vibes. Even the journey to get there is special, as it’s one of Sydney’s prettiest ferry routes and gives you what feels like a bit of a harbour cruise (at public transport prices) before you’ve even arrived!
There’s a lot to do in Watsons Bay: from the gorgeous beaches to some leisurely walking trails taking in two of NSW’s oldest lighthouses. It’s also a great place to relax, go for a swim or enjoy some of the best places for food and drink in Sydney.
So here’s the best things to do in Watsons Bay for the perfect day out.
Things to do in Watsons Bay
These are the 14 best things to do in Watsons Bay:
1. One of Sydney’s best secret beaches - Lady Bay Beach
Lady Bay Beach is a true beauty, and one of our favourite secret beaches in Sydney. This small bay is backed on either side by craggy cliffs which give it a wild and remote feel, despite the fact you actually have a view of Sydney Harbour!
The fact that you get down to it via quite a long staircase makes it feel very secluded.
It’s a “clothing optional” beach so if you prefer to wear bathers, you might be more comfortable coming in the early morning when it’s quiet.
The water is generally really calm and it’s the perfect place to have a dip or just relax on the sand and take in the truly spectacular views.
2. Chill at Camp Cove Beach
If the whole clothing optional scenario makes you feel a tad uncomfortable, then nearby Camp Cove is also a beauty.
It’s not as gorgeous as Lady Bay but I doubt anyone would complain when they see it! It’s a fairly popular beach so you’re unlikely to get it to yourself but the vibe is always great.
The water is generally calm so it’s a great beach for families. You can snorkel straight off the beach and it’s quite common to spot seahorses!
3. Check out the sunset views from Hornby Lighthouse
Hornby Lighthouse is the most atmospheric in Sydney, with bright red and white stripes - the paint job might be looking a little worse for wear lately but it’s still very pretty!
Built in 1858, it’s one of the oldest lighthouses in NSW and though you can’t go inside you can climb up the exterior staircase.
The views of the Middle and North Heads are absolutely terrific and are particularly dramatic if it’s a choppy day at sea.
Sitting and watching the huge waves roll in is a mesmerising experience. If you look down at the rocks, you’ll often sea brave rock fishers which is always a bit nerve wracking when it looks so easy to be washed away!
The walk to get to the lighthouse is an easy and spectacular 1.5km each way from the wharf. We detail the walk to Hornby and Macquarie Lighthouses in this post.
4. See for miles from The Gap
The Gap is one of Sydney’s most famous lookouts and it’s easy to see why, with great views in all directions.
It’s roughly 500m each way from the wharf and has several staircases to climb, up to three different viewing platforms.
The views from each are spectacular. In one direction you have panoramic ocean views as well as the steep cliffs which make the scene really dramatic, and in the other direction you have a fabulous view of the city.
The view of the city is particularly nice at sunset, when it’s bathed in golden light.
5. The Watson’s Bay institution - fish and chips on the beach
Watsons Bay might not have many restaurants to choose from but what it does have are some of the very best.
Doyles opened their first restaurant in Watsons Bay in 1885 and they are one of Sydney’s oldest fishing families. It’s so famous that Doyles is synonymous with Watsons Bay, and it’s become an institution.
The great thing about Doyles is that they have options for every budget: there’s a fancier restaurant on the beach with white table cloths etc, but there’s also a fish and chip shop offering more affordable takeaway options, which you can then have sat on the beach or in the park - which is what we always do!
The fish and chips are delicious, we’ve only tried the takeaway, but we can only imagine the fancier Doyles on the Beach restaurant is even better
6. Have a picnic with a view
Few places do picnic spots like Watsons Bay. The park near the wharf is elevated and looks back on the city and the harbour for one of the best picnic spot views in the whole of Sydney.
I mean, just look at it!
Bring a picnic blanket or use one of the many picnic benches, just watch out for the ever hopeful gulls!
7. Sundowners at the Watsons Bay Hotel
The Watsons Bay Hotel is one of Sydney’s best bars, with a huge outdoor area with views of the beach and harbour.
The blue and white parasols make this bar instantly recognisable, and no matter when you visit it’s almost guaranteed to be pumping! You instantly feel like you’re on holiday.
There’s music, good food and great wine, and it’s our go to place for a sunset drink.
It can be hard to grab the best seats right by the beach on a busy weekend, but the atmosphere is always great no matter where you’re sat.
8. Brunch at Dunbar House
This is where we take visitors for brunch when we want to impress. It’s such a great place and has always had rave reviews from anyone we’ve taken.
Dunbar House is an old heritage building, dating back to the 1830’s - which is old for Australia - and it’s really beautiful, with lots of character. It’s not cheap but it is delicious and the surroundings are so lovely, as long as you don’t mind that this spot isn’t about views.
It’s only open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for breakfast and lunch.
9. The Macquarie Lighthouse walk
Most people visiting Watsons Bay will opt to head over to Hornby Lighthouse, but few make the trip over to Macquarie Lighthouse, despite the fact it’s not very far away - their loss.
It’s only 1.5km further along from The Gap (less than 2km from the wharf) and the majority of the walk gives you expansive ocean views.
It’s an easy trail, with very few stairs and it’s paved all the way.
Macquarie Lighthouse
It’s 40 years older than the Hornby Lighthouse, making it Australia’s oldest, and it’s still in use today. It doesn’t have the fun stripes that Hornby has but we still think it’s pretty fab.
You can actually go inside the Macquarie Lighthouse if you’re lucky enough to be able to visit on one of the five Sundays a year that tours are offered.
There are 100 steps to get to the top and the views should be amazing, but we’ve yet to see them for ourselves. Tours last for 20 minutes.
Tickets cost $5 per adult, $3 per child (16 and under) and $3 for concessions. Family passes can also be purchased for $13 for two adults and two children.
You must make an online booking ahead of time.
10. Spot migrating Humpback whales
If you’re able to visit Watsons Bay in whale season you’ll be in for a treat. We can’t even count the amount of whales we’ve seen from here.
The season is May to October but sightings tend to be at their highest before mid July when the Humpback whales are making their way up to Queensland.
The best vantage points are from Hornby Lighthouse and The Gap, as well as along the coastal walking path between The Gap and Macquarie Lighthouse.
We’ve written a whole post dedicated to our favourite whale watching spots if you’re keen to try other areas too.
11. See the hidden beaches on the walk to Rose Bay….
Watsons Bay is also the start or end point for the gorgeous Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Walk which is an absolute must for anyone who loves secluded beaches and harbour views.
This 7.4km track is one of our favourite harbour walks in all of Sydney, and it’s a city blessed with many good ones!
You’ll find some of Sydney’s most beautiful and quietest beaches along the walk (many people walk straight above them without even noticing they’re there, so we’ve outlined all the ones to check out in this post).
The views are sensational throughout and you’ll also pass one of my favourite swimming spots in Sydney, Parsley Bay, which is perfect if you don’t like waves because it’s sheltered and calm, and also netted so no shark worries : )
It’s a truly beautiful way to arrive in Watsons Bay or head back that way and then catch the ferry from Rose Bay to Circular Quay, which takes just 10 minutes.
12. ….Or walk along the clifftops to Dover Heights
If you’ve already done the Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Walk or you’re simply a walking fanatic (guilty!) then you can also start or finish the Federation Cliff Walk at Watsons Bay.
This is part of the Bondi to Watsons Bay Walk but trust us it’s the better part. We don’t really recommend the full walk to Bondi because so much is on road and let’s face it, that’s dull.
We outline the entire trail including where we think you should start and end for maximum enjoyment in this post.
The Federation Cliff Walk takes in the Macquarie Lighthouse and some of Sydney’s prettiest bays, including the extremely photogenic Diamond Bay.
The views are terrific and it’s a good way to explore a few more of Sydney’s waterside suburbs.
13. Pretend you’re on a tropical island at the beach shack
The kiosk at Camp Cove Beach is what we like to refer to as the beach shack. When we mentioned holiday vibes, we meant the whole of Watsons Bay, and nowhere more so than the beach shack!
With heaps of oranges dangling from the ceiling and colourful shawls floating in the wind, this little cabana oozes laid back beach vibes, and it never fails to make us smile.
As well as fresh juice and smoothies you can get sandwiches, salads and even homemade lemonade!
14. Take the ferry that’s as good as a harbour cruise!
You can get the bus to Watsons Bay, but why would you when you can have a gorgeous harbour cruise instead?
Arriving by ferry adds to the all round feel good feeling of Watsons Bay and the 25 minute journey is always a highlight, no matter how many times we’ve done it.
You cruise through the majority of the harbour, passing some of Sydney’s glitziest suburbs and beaches, as well as our favourite picnic spot, Shark Island.
You can hop on at Circular Quay or Barangaroo, as well as many other stops around the city depending on where you are based.
Getting to Watsons Bay
By public transport
The easiest way to get to Watsons Bay by public transport is to hop on the ferry from Wharf 2 at Circular Quay (it takes about 25 minutes, and it’s very scenic). The ferries are quite regular, but stop surprisingly early during the week.
Alternatively you can get the 325 bus from Town Hall. It takes about an hour though, so it isn’t worth it!
By car
Watsons Bay is a 25 minute drive from the city, but it can take a lot longer with traffic. There is plenty of free, unlimited parking in Watsons Bay, but it seems to all disappear at the weekends! Visiting during the week is the quietest time, but if you want to go on the weekend, then try early or late.
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