Chowder Bay(Clifton Gardens Beach)

Located in the affluent suburb of Mosman in Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Chowder Bay - also known as Gooree - has a long beige sand beach.  The beach is positioned in the northern precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park on the northern shores of Middle Harbour and has a beautiful backdrop of many oceanfront homes, a few restaurants, and a large park, namely Clifton Gardens Reserve, that offers incredible views of Bradley Head and Hornby Lighthouse.

Chowder Bay does not have lifeguards but offers many other amenities, including a swimming area, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, a playground, shaded areas, picnic areas, barbecue grill facilities, a wharf, beach equipment rental facilities, restaurants, cafes, a wharf, and a tram stop.

Chowder Bay is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, watching wildlife, kayaking, canoeing, diving, hiking, picnicking, and fishing.  If you are planning to go into the water, it is a naturally sheltered bay, making it a perfect spot for swimming.  The water near the beach is shallow, which is ideal for canoes, kayaks, and small boats.  If you enjoy snorkeling, the beach offers amazing opportunities to explore the underwater world. Anglers may catch a variety of fish, including goatfish, cuttlefish, yellowtail kingfish, salmon, trevally, blennies, and seahorse.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, including the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.

Chowder Bay offers an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Chowder Bay is easy - the beach has a paid parking lot located near 23 Morella Road, which provides easy access to the beach.

Chowder Bay is a place of great significance for the Borogegal people, as the area played an important role in the defense of Sydney during the First World War.  Chowder Bay had been a military installation since the 1890s until the year 2000, and thereafter it was opened to the general public.  Additionally, Chowder Bay, named after whalers who made 'chowder' from the bay's abundant seafood, is located on the southern side of Sydney's Middle Head peninsula. 

There are many attractions near Chowder Bay.  Taronga Zoo Sydney is located on the shores of Sydney Harbour, overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  It is home to over 5000 animals from 350 different species, including African lions, tigers, Asian elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, meerkats, koalas, gorillas, red kangaroos, tree kangaroos, Corroboree frogs, sun bears, zebras, lemurs, regent honeyeaters, seals, penguins, and sea lions.  In addition, the zoo also offers interactive animal feeding and petting sessions and hosts many interesting events.   Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is spread over 30 hectares and is home to more than 30000 native plant species.  It is also home to many gardens, including the Palm Grove, the Rose Garden, the Orientation Center, the Herb Garden, and the rainforest gully.  In addition, it also features the Glasshouse, the Tropical Centre, and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, which offers iconic views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.  Luna Park Sydney is a family-friendly amusement park that features many thrill rides, including the Wild Mouse spinning roller coaster, the Tumble Bug neo-futurist orbiter ride, the big dipper, the Ferris wheel, the carousel, tea cups, the express train, and many other fun rides.  In addition, it also has a gaming arcade and carnival-style games.  Sydney Tower Eye is a 309-meter-tall observation tower that has an indoor and outdoor observation deck and offers panoramic views of Sydney and its suburbs.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is a multi-level museum that has many galleries and displays a unique collection of over 4,000 works of Australian and international contemporary art.  In addition, it hosts interesting exhibits, talk shows, customized tours, and self-guided audio tours.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants on Chowder Bay. Ripples Chowder Bay is positioned on the eastern end of the bay and serves modern Australian dishes infused with Mediterranean flavors, including soups, salads, pasta, pork, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  L'Heritage serves incredible French dishes.  Public Dining Room is a beachfront upscale restaurant that serves amazing salads, seafood, meat, pork, and poultry dishes.  Kazzi Beach Greek Balmoral is another waterfront restaurant that serves amazing Greek-inspired dishes, including eggs, omelets, fruit bowls, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, salads, breads, meat, and seafood.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Yachiyo Japanese Bistro Mosman serves soups, salads, sashimi, sushi, rolls, tempura, and desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Chowder Bay, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is 17 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including an indoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and two restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Macleay Hotel, which has many amenities, including a rooftop pool, a terrace with harbor views, a fitness center, and an Asian fusion restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Vibe Hotel North Sydney, which has many amenities including an outdoor pool, a fitness room, a hot tub, and a food court.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star YHA Sydney Harbour - The Rocks, which offers several amenities including a rooftop deck with harbor views, a barbecue grill facility, a lounge, and a dining area.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Nesuto Woolloomooloo Apartment Hotel offers a few amenities including an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a sauna.