Gordons Bay

Located within the relaxed eastern suburbs of Sydney, Gordons Bay - also known as Gordon’s Bay, Thompsons Bay, and Thompson’s Bay - is a 75-meter-long beige sand beach with many rocky portions.  This hidden beach is positioned between two well-known beaches, the bigger Coogee Beach to the south and Clovelly Beach to the north.  The beach's background is lined with wooden boat racks and small aluminum boats (known as dinghies) in the background, giving it a feel of a European fishing village, and it is tucked between two rocky headlands that resemble two arms that almost meet at their seaward end, which together offer incredible views.  Gordons Bay is part of the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve, which is home to many marine invertebrates, including western blue groper, blacklip abalone, eastern rock lobster, southern rock lobster, anemones, barnacles, chitons, cockles, crabs, mussels, octopus, oysters, pipis, sea urchins, sea stars, snails, and worms.

Gordons Bay does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly.  It is worth noting that drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited here.

Gordons Bay offers several fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and rockpooling.  If you are planning to go into the water, the waves are usually calm, making it a suitable area for swimming.   There are rocky platforms on both sides of the bay, making it an ideal spot to tan under the sun and enjoy Gordons Bay weather.  The bay is protected by an offshore reef, making it an ideal spot for diving.  Gordons Bay snorkeling is another popular activity, where in calm waters near the shore, nature enthusiasts can also explore a self-guided, unique 600-meter underwater nature trail, popularly known as Gordons Bay Underwater Nature Trail, where they may spot an array of marine life.  Dogs are not allowed here, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.

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

Getting to Gordons Bay is easy - the beach has a few street parking spots near 30 Moore Street.  After parking, visitors have to walk three minutes southwest on a rugged path to access the beach.  It is important to note that the beach can be accessed via the Coastal Walkway (Bondi to Coogee Walk) and visitors can also park their vehicles either at the nearby Coogee Beach or Clovelly Beach.

The bay is named after Lewis Gordon, the government surveyor who was granted land here in the mid-19th century by the state.   Also, the fishing boats present on the beach actually belong to members of Gordon's Bay Amateur Fishing Club, and the bay is one of the few locations in Sydney's eastern suburbs where you can launch a boat into the ocean.

There are many attractions near Gordons Bay.  Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk is a three-kilometer-long moderately challenging coastal walking trail along the cliffs that meanders through beaches, parks, and rock pools, which provide incredible views.  Malabar Headland National Park is spread over 170 hectares and features rugged sandstone cliffs, heathland, coastal vegetation, and Aboriginal sites. Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including bushwalking, birdwatching, picnicking, hiking, and whale watching. In addition, this coastal park is home to the famous ANZAC Rifle Range, which hosts various shooting competitions and training programs.  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.  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 within a three-minute drive of Gordons Bay.  Seasalt Clovelly is a waterfront upscale restaurant that serves incredible seafood food.  Wagyuto Clovelly serves amazing soups, salads, tempura, sashimi, sushi, rolls, and bento boxes.  Pinto Thong Thai Restaurant serves soups, salads, pad Thai noodles, fried rice, Thai curries, gyoza, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Coogee Pavilion Ground Floor offers an outdoor seating area and serves amazing salads, pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, meat, pork, and poultry dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Pizzavelly Italian Kitchen serves incredible pizzas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Gordons Bay, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Meriton Suites Waterloo is 19 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a spa, a fitness center, and two restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the waterfront 4-Star Coogee Bay Boutique Hotel, which has a few amenities, including a seafood restaurant and a bar.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Coogee Sands Hotel & Apartments - Beachside Hotel Coogee, which has a few amenities including an outdoor seating area and barbecue grill facility.   A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star St Marks Randwick, which offers several amenities including a rooftop deck and a garden.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Royal Hotel Randwick offers a few amenities, including a whirlpool bath and an atrium with sitting areas.