Congwong Bay 1

Located on the eastern side of the suburb of La Perouse in Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Congwong Bay 1 - also known as Congwong Beach - is a 200-meter-long beige sand beach with many rocky portions.  This popular La Perouse beach is positioned between Henry Head to the east and Bare Island in the west along the northern shores of Botany Bay and has a beautiful backdrop of bushland, coastal vegetation, and rocky outcrops, which together provide incredible views of Cape Baily Lighthouse, Towra Point, Bare Island, and the Pacific Ocean.  The beach is part of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, which preserves its fragile ecosystem, including coastal landscapes, woodlands, rainforests, and the native biodiversity of the region.

Congwong Bay 1 does not have lifeguards but offers many other amenities, including restrooms, a small park, picnic areas, nearby cafes, and trash bins.  You may find cafes and restrooms directly outside La Perouse National Park.  Also, an ice cream vendor frequently visits near the shore for those looking for a refreshing treat.   It is worth noting that drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited here.

Congwong Bay 1 is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, diving, snorkeling, and watching wildlife.  The beach is positioned in a naturally sheltered bay, making it a perfect spot for swimming.   As a general precaution, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Beachwatch program recommends people stay out of the water during and for 24 hours after heavy rain.  The beach receives stormwater from the surrounding streets, which may taint the water.  The water near the beach is shallow, which is ideal for small boats.   If you enjoy fishing, you may catch a wide variety of fish, including bream, whiting, blackfish, tailor, and flathead.  Depending on the time of the year, visitors may spot migrating whales and bottlenose dolphins in the water near the beach.  The beach offers amazing opportunities for snorkelers and divers to explore the underwater world. Congwong Beach is often considered a well-known La Perouse nude beach – there is a designated clothing-optional area on the beach.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  The beach is ideal for visitors looking for a serene beach experience.  Dogs are not allowed here, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.

Congwong Bay 1 does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Congwong Bay 1 is easy - the beach has a free parking lot located at 1532R Anzac Parade, La Perouse.  It is important to note that there is free three-hour parking available at Cann Park and La Perouse Park near the entry gates on Anzac Parade.  After parking, visitors have to walk west to access the beach. 

You can also access the beach by public transport; visitors can take bus L94 or 394 to La Perouse from Circular Quay, Martin Place, or Hyde Park via Maroubra Junction.

Congwong Bay 1 is an ideal spot for a family getaway to relax and unwind.  It is important to note that Congwong Bay 1 is strictly a family-friendly beach, but the nearby Little Congwong Beach, which is a popular nude beach, is also known as La Perouse Nude Beach.

There are many attractions near Congwong Bay 1.  The Sydney Tramway Museum is a small outdoor museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Sydney's tramway system.  Visitors can explore various tram models from various parts of Australia, and a few of these vintage trams, which are operational, offer rides on the museum grounds.  Captain Cook's Landing Place is a famous historical site where Captain James Cook first landed in Botany Bay in 1770.  Visitors can explore the monument and informative displays that provide interesting insight into the historical past of Australia.   Kamay Botany Bay National Park is spread over 471 hectares and features coastal scrub, woodlands, rainforests, beaches, rocky formations, Aboriginal sites, and foreshores along the bay.  It is home to a wide array of native wildlife and vegetation, including the spotted gum forest, kangaroos, gray-headed flying foxes, white-bellied sea eagles, and the protected green and golden bell frog.  Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, swimming, bird watching, and picnicking.   Bonna Point Reserve is positioned on the southern end of the Kurnell peninsula, overlooking Botany Bay.  This beachfront dog-friendly park offers many amenities, including a large playground with swing sets, restrooms, changing rooms, benches, a skate park, a biking path, picnic areas, picnic tables, shady areas, a barbecue grill facility, and walking trails.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Cape Baily Lighthouse is positioned on the southern headland of Botany Bay, on rugged cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  This white concrete octagonal lighthouse guides the ships safely past the northern coast of Botany Bay.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants on Congwong Bay 1.  Danny's Seafood La Perouse serves amazing eggs, pancakes, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  La Perouse Thai serves amazing Thai-inspired dishes, including soups, salads, fried rice, noodles, Thai curries, seafood, meat, and seafood.  Nouli's Cafe serves amazing soups, salads, seafood, meat, pork, and poultry dishes.  The Boatshed To-Go serves amazing salads, burgers, sandwiches, meat, pork, seafood, and poultry dishes.   If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Giovanni La Pizza serves incredible pizzas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Congwong Bay 1, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is 24 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 Rydges Cronulla Beachside, which has many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, a fitness center, and a restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Quest Cronulla Beach, which has many amenities including an outdoor pool, a fitness room, a hot tub, a sauna, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Cronulla Motor Inn, which offers several amenities including an outdoor pool, whirlpool tubs, and restaurants.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Engadine Motor Inn offers a few amenities including an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a sauna.