Some would say you haven’t been to Sydney if you haven’t posted about your adventures at Bondi Beach, the city’s most famous sandy spot. As well as its gorgeous strip of golden sand and rolling surf, it’s renowned for its coastal cafes and restaurants, markets, boutiques, and trendy smart–casual nightlife. It’s also home to one of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in the world, so while we hope you won’t need to call on their assistance, it’s a great place to learn to surf.

If a full day lounging in Bondi sounds too relaxing, opt to walk the 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) Bondi to Coogee trail. The coastal, cliffside walk takes 2–3 hours in total, but there are many places to stop along the way, including smaller beaches and ocean baths, Aboriginal rock carvings, and eateries. There are some steps and steeper sections, but in general the trail is suitable for most mobile people. Coogee Beach, at the end, is similar to Bondi yet less crowded.

Rivaling Bondi in terms of popularity, pulse, and variety, northern Sydney’s Manly Beach might just have the edge, thanks to the scenic way of getting there: Ride an inexpensive ferry from Circular Quay through Sydney Harbour, past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and look back on excellent skyline views. The main beach at Manly is good for swimming and surfing. A short coastal walk leads to the sheltered Shelly Beach, a great place from which to take a snorkeling tour.

Also known as Summer Bay in the soap operatic world of Home and Away, Palm Beach makes an excellent day trip from the central city. This must-visit Sydney beach spot is about an hour’s drive north of central Sydney, and the Barrenjoey Headland—featuring a great hike up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse—is the northernmost point of Sydney, before the New South Wales Central Coast begins.

Another in Sydney’s Northern Beaches region, Narrabeen is famous for its surf: The National Surfing Reserve features consistent, quality waves and hosts surf championships. The long, 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) beach is divided into North and South Narrabeen, and the best surfing is in the north. There are places to stay and dine, but in many ways this is a regular suburban coastal settlement, which may appeal to travelers seeking a more low-key experience.

If you’re seeking an as-nature-intended-it beach, make a trip into the Royal National Park south of Sydney. Wattamolla Beach is a popular beach within the park, especially on a hot summer’s day. While you can drive there (national park vehicle fees apply), taking a guided hike through the park allows you to explore without the risk of getting lost, and you’ll see other highlights, including waterfalls, cliffs and rock formations, and other beaches.

A sheltered harbor beach in North Sydney, Balmoral Beach is exceptionally calm, so it’s good for kayaking, paddle boarding, and windsurfing. You can also walk along the Middle Head Track to nearby Taronga Zoo. But one of the most popular activities here is dining at a beach-facing restaurant specializing in seafood. Ah, the serenity. To make the most of the foodie offerings in this part of Sydney, you can take a progressive food cruise that stops at Balmoral and other waterside dining locales.

Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the picnic areas in Nielsen Park before or after a swim at Shark Beach. The harbor beach is sheltered and calm, and ideal for kids. It’s in the Sydney Harbour National Park and faces the city, so there are good views of the skyline. Although you’ll find shark nets here in summer, the name is an echo from the days when sharks were much more numerous in Sydney’s waters.

Further up the same eastern peninsula as Nielsen Park, Watsons Bay offers several historical attractions alongside the usual sea, sand, and seafood eateries. The Hornby Lighthouse on the peninsula’s tip is heritage-listed but still in use, and you can find cannons and military installations through this part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. If you need to even out those tan lines, small, tucked-away Lady Bay Beach is one of Sydney’s few legal nudist beaches.