What is Watsons Bay in Sydney?
Watsons Bay is a harborside suburb in Sydney's east, near the entrance to Sydney Harbour. It is known for its beach, ferry wharf, seafood restaurants and views from the Gap clifftop lookout.
Watsons Bay was once a fishing village and is one of the oldest European settlements in Australia. It is named after Robert Watson, a quartermaster who arrived with the First Fleet.
Visitors often arrive by ferry from Circular Quay, enjoying harbor views on the way.
The Gap and South Head
The Gap is a dramatic sandstone cliff facing the Pacific Ocean. It offers spectacular views but is also known for safety concerns, and fences and support services have been installed.
A walking track leads to South Head, where the Hornby Lighthouse, with its red and white stripes, guards the harbor entrance. The track offers views of the city skyline and the ocean.
Doyles seafood restaurant, a family business dating back to the 1880s, is a popular place for fish and chips near the beach. Camp Cove beach is a sheltered swimming spot nearby.
Did You Know?
Watsons Bay Beach faces the harbor, so the water is usually calm.