Hotels near Watsons Bay

Watsons Bay is a small harbourside village on the South Head peninsula, about 11 km northeast of the CBD. The main attraction is the South Head Heritage Trail, a coastal walk that runs from Camp Cove Beach along sandstone cliffs to the Hornby Lighthouse at the tip of South Head. The views across the harbour entrance are extraordinary - you can see the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and North Head simultaneously. The Gap, a dramatic cliff face, is also along this route.

Camp Cove Beach is a small, sheltered harbour beach popular for swimming and kayaking. After the walk, the Watsons Bay area has a handful of restaurants - the beer garden at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is a local favourite for fish and chips with harbour views. The F4 ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay takes about 25 minutes and is one of the most scenic ferry routes in Sydney.

Pro Tip: Combine Watsons Bay with a swim at Camp Cove and the South Head walk on a weekday morning when the area is quiet. Take the ferry both ways for the views, and time the return for sunset over the harbour.