Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

WHAT TO SEE & DO IN SYDNEY 141
Most major city beaches, such as Manly and Bondi, have lifeguards on patrol,
especially during the summer. They check the water conditions and are on the
lookout for “rips”—strong currents that can pull a swimmer far out to sea. Safe
places to swim are marked by red and yellow flags. You must always swim
between these flags. If you are using a foam or plastic body board or “boogie
board,” it’s advisable to use it between the flags. Fiberglass surfboards must be
used outside the flags. (Expect a warning from the beach loudspeakers and an
A$100/US$65 fine if you fail to take notice.)
WHAT ABOUT SHARKS & OTHER NASTIES? One of the first things
visitors wonder when they hit the water in Australia is: Are there sharks? The
answer is yes, but fortunately they are rarely spotted inshore—you are far more
likely to spot a migrating whale. In reality, sharks have more reason to be scared
of us than we of them; most of them end up as the fish in your average packet
of fish and chips. (Shark filets are often sold as “flake.”) Though some beaches—
such as the small beach next to the Manly ferry wharf in Manly and a section of
Balmoral Beach in Mosman—have permanent shark nets, most rely on portable
nets that are moved from beach to beach.
Another common problem off Sydney’s beaches are “blue bottles”—small
blue jellyfish, often called “stingers” in Australia, and “Portuguese-Man-o’-Wars”
elsewhere. You’ll often find these creatures washed up along the beach; they
become a hazard for swimmers when there’s a strong breeze coming off the ocean
and they’re blown in to shore (watch out for warning signs erected on the shoreline).
Minute individual stinging cells often break off the main body of the creature,
and they can cause minor itching or stinging. You might also be hit by the
full force of a blue bottle, which will often stick to your skin and wrap its tentacles
around you. Blue bottles deliver a hefty punch from their many stinging cells,
causing a severe burning sensation almost immediately. If you are stung, ask a lifeguard
for some vinegar to neutralize any stinging cells that haven’t yet sprung into
action. Otherwise, a very hot bath or shower can help relieve the pain, which can
be intense and last for up to a day. Wearing a T-shirt in the water reduces the risk
somewhat (though a pair of waterlogged jeans isn’t a good idea).
SOUTH OF SYDNEY HARBOUR
Sydney’s most famous beach is Bondi . In many ways it’s a raffish version of
a Californian beach, with plenty of tanned skin and in-line skaters. Though the
beach is nice, it’s cut off from the cafe and restaurant strip that caters to beachgoers
by a road that pedestrians have to funnel across in order to reach the sand.
On summer weekend evenings, it’s popular with souped-up cars and groups of
disaffected youths. To reach Bondi Beach, take the CityRail train to Bondi Junction,
then transfer to bus no. 380 (a 15-min. bus journey). You can also catch bus
no. 380 directly from Circular Quay (but it can take an hour or so in peak time).
If you follow the water along to your right at Bondi, you’ll come across a very
scenic cliff-top trail that takes you to Bronte Beach (a 20-min. walk), via gorgeous
little Tamarama, nicknamed “Glamourama” for its trendy sun-worshippers.
This boutique beach is known for its dangerous rips. Bronte has better
swimming than Bondi, and thieves have been known to frequent Bondi. To get
to Bronte, catch bus no. 378 from Circular Quay, or pick up the bus at the
Bondi Junction CityRail station.
Clovelly Beach, farther along the coast, is blessed with a large rock pool
carved into a rock platform and sheltered from the force of the Tasman Sea. This