- Photo of Garie Beach - by Danielle Ryan
The thick bushy backdrop, the rocks jutting out on Garie’s flanks, the almost empty surf line-up and the fresh air and tranquility make it hard to believe that Garie Beach, located in Australia's oldest national park (the Royal National Park), is only approximately an hour south from Sydney's city center.
Surf Garie Beach, without the Sydney Crowds
This unpatroled surfer's haven attracts mainly experienced surfers from the area as well as some Sydney-siders visiting from up north and a handful of backpackers. The locals dominate this beach break, but there are enough peaks along Garie for everyone to have a go. However, the park entrance fee and the rips frequenting this beach are a deterrence to the novice board rider.
Spot a whale out on the Tasman Sea
Surfers and beach spectators braving the Australian winter chill or those who would prefer to wait for spring, have the opportunity to see whales splashing about behind the surf as the whales migrate up and down the coast from June-November. The ocean spray spurting from their blow holes and their fins smacking the ocean, can be seen from a little grassy knoll beside Garie Beach, so bring your binoculars, have a picnic and watch the whales and the locals bust out their best moves.
Garie Beach Camping and Bush-walking
While camping at Garie Beach is prohibited, you can camp nearby at North Era (South of Garie). Just follow the arrow on the Coast Track sign located on Garie's beach front. Campers will need to pay in advance a camping fee of $5 per adult and $3 per child per night.
Garie Beach is near the end of the Coast Track. The entire Coast Track links Bundeena with Otford and is 26km long and will take hikers two days to complete. The distance from Garie to Otford is 7.6kilometers and from Garie to North Era it is 1.5 kilometers.
There are also short scenic routes that make up the greater web of Royal Coastal Walks throughout the park surrounding Garie. For more information about the Royal Coastal Walks, see the NSW Department of Environment website.
Getting to Garie Beach from Sydney
The best option is going by car. Take the Princes Highway (Route 1) south of Cronulla towards Wollongong, turn left off the highway at the clearly marked sign for Farnell Avenue. You will pass the Royal National Park entrance booth where you will need to pay for a vehicle day pass, which is $11 with a free map of the Royal National Park upon entry. Follow the winding road (watching out for motorcycles, especially the learner bikes with the 'L' plates, zipping around the corners). Drive for approximately 20 minutes until you come to Garie Road, which will lead you directly to an open-air car park, right on the doorstop of outer Sydney’s little beauty, Garie Beach.
Read another Australian travel articles by Danielle Ryan titled Magnetic Island, Australia, the Magnetic Attraction for Tourist ; Townsville, Australia's Overlooked Travel Destination ; Cairns Beaches and Waterhole Hopping.
