Things to do in Watsons Bay Reviews (Sydney, Australia)

Get Swept Away

New York, New York

October 12, 2011

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Every trip to Sydney; I journey to Watsons Bay for some incredible food and breath taking views. I love riding the Sydney ferries and in particular the ferry to Watsons Bay. The ride is wonderful with so much to see along the way. Once we get off ...Read more Every trip to Sydney; I journey to Watsons Bay for some incredible food and breath taking views. I love riding the Sydney ferries and in particular the ferry to Watsons Bay. The ride is wonderful with so much to see along the way. Once we get off the ferry we like to have lunch and the Watsons Bay Hotel always has a good meal and a cold beer with our names on it. The Food at the Hotel is incredible good especially their Tasmanian Mussels and Fish & Chips.

The view from the Gap is particularly amazing with its steep rock cliffs and pounding surf below. The water views her are amazing. It's an exhilerating yet calming feeling here that I just can put into words properly; you just have to see it for yourself. Be careful if you have height issues; looking down can get you a bit dizzy at first. Even if you're not trying to throw yourself off the cliffs (rumor has it it's famous for that) I highly recommend a climb out to south head and then down to the light house south of the area.

Macquarie Lighthouse is a point of interest in the area with its white structure standing out amongst the green and blue. The Macquarie Lighthouse was the first, and is the longest serving, lighthouse site in Australia. The current lighthouse was built in 1883. In 1976 the lighthouse was finally automated which eliminated the need for a keeper.

Along one of our explorations of Watsons Bay we came upon the remains of the Dunbar; a metal anchor. The Dunbar was a full-rigged ship that was wrecked in 1857. The Dunbar's Captain, James Green mistook the Gap for the entrance to Sydney Harbour due to heavy rain and wind. He crashed the ship onto the rocks. The ship broke up due to the force of the winds and 121 lives were lost. All that remains of the Dunbar is the anchor which is in memorial to those who lost their lives on the night of August 20, 1857.

Walking around Watsons Bay is always a delight with incredible water views, points of interest and nature walks. I look forward to visiting whenever I am in Sydney.

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From journal Mind the Gap

South Head - daring beaches and fish 'n chips

by actonsteve

London, United Kingdom

May 1, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo Sydney wasn't built as other cities. It wasn't built around crossing points on rivers like the medieval cities of Europe and Africa, it wasn't built on trading posts like North and South America—it was built almost from new. The advantage of this is ...Read more Sydney wasn't built as other cities. It wasn't built around crossing points on rivers like the medieval cities of Europe and Africa, it wasn't built on trading posts like North and South America—it was built almost from new. The advantage of this is that vast swathes of the harbour and the Sydney metropolitan area are still in a pristine state. Forests roll down to the sea, waves batter cliffs, and beaches and coves are a stone-throw from the city centre. The city has taken advantage of this by building its suburbs in some pretty impressive areas. Yacht basins, seafront restaurants, and golf courses are the norm, and property prices are pretty high. Sydney has jumped from nowhere to the 20th most expensive city on the planet. A million dollars will still get you an ocean-side mansion, but it wont get you what it used to.

A good example of this is Watsons Bay. This whole area is extends along the southern arm of Sydney harbour and culminates in the finger of land called South Head. On its seaward side are colossal spume bashed cliffs, and on its harbour side are little coves and beaches. The best of these are Watsons Bay and the daring Lady Bay/Camp Cove. Watsons Bay is of course famous for its fish restaurant Doyles, where ferries bring people straight from Circular Quay. And Lady Bay? Well, lets put it this way—anyone viewing the bathers from the tourist boats would certainly get an eyefull.

My friend Milton, who moved from Stockholm to Sydney two years ago, took me to this area one hungover Sunday morning. We could have taken the expensive ferry from Circular Quay directly to Watsons Bay for $12, but opted for the L32 bus, which picks up at Hyde Park and whizzes through Rushcutters Bay, Edgecliff, and Vaucluse—finally terminating near the lawn at Watsons Bay. Doyles Restaurant is the big attraction. The seafood here is meant to be exceptional, and needs at least a weeks reservation. There is a nice beach and lawn where families can play. And for those of us who are not millionaires, a fish and chip shop is nearby that sells big portions. So you can sit on a bench and watch seagulls fight over the leftovers.

But up from Watsons is the appropriately named Camp Cove—Sydney's gay beach. It looks onto the harbour and is bookended by rocky headlands. There are numerous places to lose yourself amongst the eucalyptus groves or rockpools. But, I must warn you—if you do decide to bare all, the tourist boats on their way to Manly come awfully close, definitely within telescopic lens range.

But then, to you that may be part of the attraction. Close

From journal The watery city of Sydney - Gleaming, Glittering and Gigantic

Watson's Bay via the ferry

by samepenny

West, Texas

July 9, 2003

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Best of IgoUgo The ferry goes out from Circular Quay, past the Sydney Opera House and then in the opposite direction from the Harbour Bridge. You can also get there on the Explorer and other harbour sightseeing boats, but the ferries are cheaper and every bit as ...Read more

From journal Australia on Top -- Sydney

Watson's Bay

by matttan

Chiang Mai, Australia

December 12, 2002

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Best of IgoUgo Watson's Bay is at the peak of the South Head of Sydney Harbour. It is a beautiful, peaceful suburb with plenty of things to see and do. On the coastal side, the main attraction is the walk around The Gap. The rockface along here is spectacular - ...Read more

From journal Sensational Sydney

IgoUgo

Watsons Bay

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Get Swept Away

South Head - daring beaches and fish 'n chips

Watson's Bay via the ferry

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Get Swept Away

South Head - daring beaches and fish 'n chips

Watson's Bay via the ferry

Watson's Bay