Freshwater Beach
Freshwater Beach
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Freshwater Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
673 within 5 kms
Attractions
207 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
62 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
19
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
John H
Macedon Ranges, Australia415 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
Favourite Sydney beach just wonderful
Great surf, easy to get to but some hidden gems in the ocean pool, reefs and Rockpool
Even changing rooms and parking
Great surf, easy to get to but some hidden gems in the ocean pool, reefs and Rockpool
Even changing rooms and parking
Written 5 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theseasonednomad
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Mar 2018 • Couples
We travelled a long way to come to the so called "freshwater" beach only to find that it was the saltiest water we had ever swum in along the Sydney coastline. What a deceptive and misleading names EVER. The ONLY freshwater we found was coming out of the storm drains at the northern end of the beach, so we had to resort to rolling around in shallow stream of water leaking from the pipes in order to enjoy the tiniest bit of freshwater we travelled absolute miles to enjoy.
We will NEVER be returning here again until they have the common decency to rename it Saltwater beach. We are not not too sure whether we want to visit Manly beach as we believe this to be extremely sexist.
We will NEVER be returning here again until they have the common decency to rename it Saltwater beach. We are not not too sure whether we want to visit Manly beach as we believe this to be extremely sexist.
Written 9 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WillandJean
Sydney, Australia40 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
This is a great beach because it offers something for everyone. If you have a family, it's great to simply play on the sand and the water's nice in between the flags. The surf lifesavers are very vigilant and will warn people swimming outside of the flags.
If you enjoy body boarding or surfing, there's bigger waves for you to enjoy. I don't do either so can't comment. I can see quite a few surfers and body boarders out there having fun.
There's 2 small playgrounds nearby but they're not much to write back. Several cafes are nearby which do ok coffees.
The parking is the sore point as it's quite difficult like any of the popular Sydney beaches.
Love it the first time I went and still loving it!
If you enjoy body boarding or surfing, there's bigger waves for you to enjoy. I don't do either so can't comment. I can see quite a few surfers and body boarders out there having fun.
There's 2 small playgrounds nearby but they're not much to write back. Several cafes are nearby which do ok coffees.
The parking is the sore point as it's quite difficult like any of the popular Sydney beaches.
Love it the first time I went and still loving it!
Written 1 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael V
513 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
This is a beautiful spot. Quite well protected with stunning cliffs on the south side. There are many local surfers here. There is a pool too. A great place to go to. But nowhere near as long as the other nearby beaches, Curl Curl, Manly, Dee Why
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy W
Kent, UK35 contributions
Sept 2018 • Solo
This is a great beach and is close to Manly but less busy. The sand is white and being a surf beach, the waves are great for bodyboarding too. Nearby facilities include a kiosk, restaurants and cafes. You can also walk around the rocks to Dee Why and there is a great salt water rock pool with marked out lanes for lap swimming. I would definitely recommend this beach as a solo traveller.
Written 4 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant McCahon
United Kingdom166 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Harbord Beach has remained a little haven of peace and community in an ever-changing Sydney. With the injection of new people into the suburb, now returned to it's original name of Freshwater, the intakes are converted into locals with ease and the charm of the people who have lived there from the golden days to now. There is a charm of nature that stills the hustle and bustle of the rest of Sydney. The "Harbord Hilton" as the local pub is affectionately known, has a laid-back, early Californian surf vibe. There is the Harbord Diggers' Club for a visit and a gamble on the "pokies" and a dinner overlooking Freshwater Beach and over to the Cardinal's Palace at Manly. The views out to sea are those afforded by millionaires and sea captains. The surf is glorious at the beach itself and the Hawaiian surfer, Duke Kahanamoku was in awe of the rolling waves there. He donated his teak longboard to the surf club in dedication. My mum was spotted in the surf by The Duke and was given permission to ride his iconic board. Step back in time, you'll think you're in a black and white photo album. Love Harbord, it was my home from birth to 35 years of age.
Written 12 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salty
Sydney, Australia69 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
Less hectic than nearby Manly and a good starting point to visit all Northern Beaches localities.
Alas the local Harbord Beach Hotel (aka "The Hilton") has started imposing an Amex surcharge for restaurant and bar purchases.
Alas the local Harbord Beach Hotel (aka "The Hilton") has started imposing an Amex surcharge for restaurant and bar purchases.
Written 25 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris Abbott
Adelaide, Australia823 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
So close to Manly and much more quiet. Great surf and its a big beach... Awesome cafe up the road and checkout the Harbord Hilton as they call it... Its the local pub about 200 metres away... fantastic food...
Written 20 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussie_Travel_Writer
Sydney, Australia2,664 contributions
We love this beach because it is so family friendly and the local village of Harbord is quaint and friendly. The beach is huge with grassed areas to the back for a picninc or BBQ. Only problem is parking... :(
Written 3 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Franco D
Sydney, Australia107 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
My first time to visit Freshwater beach , took relatives from Italy yesterday we all loved it , flagged beach very safe, will go back.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing