The Second Beach: Parsley Bay

The dawning reality

It's been almost a month since we were at Watson's Bay - no way will we be able to go to all 26 beaches before winter sets in. The reality is that the mighty Sydney Harbour Beach Quest will take 2 years - or more.

Parsley Bay

But there are worse things to do on a Sydney Saturday, so here we are at Parsley Bay; one of the harbour's best family beaches, and great for swimming as well. The sweetly-named Parsley Bay has a long finger of calm water, a clean sandy beach and fun footbridge across the narrow bay. To continue the kiddie joy, there's even a playground at the back of beach. Parsley Bay cannot be beat.

The First Beach: Watson's Bay

The challenge

To visit all of Sydney's glorious harbour beaches, in order, starting from the 1st one on the south side of the harbour, and working our way around clock-wise until we get to the last one on the north side.

There are 26 harbour beaches in all, same as the letters in the alphabet (someone's already asked me if we are doing it in alphabetical order, but, sadly, this would be way too complex...).

Our first stop

The first beach, which we visited one Sunday morning in February 2009, was Watson's Bay Baths.

Lovely clear blue water and shark-nets all around. We all enjoyed leaping off the side into the water and swimming back to the beach. The only drama is parking, so go early and beat the sun and the crowds.