Parsley Bay is a bush-lined cove in Vaucluse with a shark-netted swimming area of about 150 by 95 metres and a 1910 suspension bridge strung across the back. It's free and calm, and very good for families, picnics and long, lazy harbour swims.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour or river baths
- Good to know
- Lifeguards
- Facilities and access
- Suspension bridge, picnic areas
- Managed by
- Woollahra Council
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- No
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Best time to go
- Weekday mornings
- Water quality
- GoodParsley Bay, 0.3 km away. Sampled 27 Oct. Data: NSW Beachwatch, CC BY 4.0.
- Town
- Vaucluse, NSW
What it's like
Come down the path and the city disappears. The net closes off the whole head of the bay, so there's a wide stretch of flat harbour water to swim in, a small sandy beach and lawns shaded by trees. The footbridge, built in 1910, gives the best view of the swimmers below. The first shark net went across the bay in 1930.
When to go
Weekday mornings are hushed. On summer weekends families stake out the grass early with picnic rugs and inflatables. After heavy rain, give it a few days before swimming.
Getting there and facilities
The reserve is off The Crescent, Vaucluse, with paths winding down through the bush to the beach and lawns. There are picnic areas, and the bridge links the two sides of the bay for an easy loop.
Good to know
There's no lifeguard on duty. Fishing, scuba diving and dogs are not allowed in the enclosure.