Detouring into the quiet suburb of Long Reef, just 40 minutes from the CBD might be a pleasant surprise for some beach-goers. For Sydneysiders living in other suburbs around the city, it can also be a fantastic weekend getaway destination.
There are plenty of reasons to enjoy Long Reef Beach - whether you're looking for fishing, surfing, or casual fun in the sun.
Long Reef Beach: Location and activities Long Reef Beach is located around 25km from the CBD, and has a huge array of water-based activities. Although Sydney locals might know about the fishing spots there, it's not as well known for its surfing culture compared to other beaches up north such as Narrabeen or
Dee Why.
Fishing (from the shore, rocks) beachside walking tracks, walking, golf, surfing (surf school, beginners' lessons), snorkelling and Stand Up Paddleboarding.
About 40 minutes by car. Traffic is pretty bad at times so buses and trains may take longer than that if there's a delay. The famous L90 bus departs from Wynyard station in Sydney's CBD and takes around an hour to arrive at Long Reef.
It's a small suburb with a low population, so there aren't any huge hang out spots. It consists mostly of residential areas and has a strong surfing culture at the beach itself. There are several cafes to be found dotted along the main street if you're looking for food or caffeine to keep you going over the course of the day but the best bet is to stroll into nearby Collaroy.
Yes! It's certainly not your ideal swimming beach because of the strong currents running through it, but it's great for families at other times. Long Reef Beach has a very popular grassy dog-friendly area near the Golf Course so you'll often find canine friends nearby.
The
Long Reef Golf Course is nothing short of amazing. It offers some of the best views on Sydney's coastline and a challenging 18-hole golfing course that's perfect for a round. The clifftop course is surrounded by a pristine golfing greens and is completed with stunning views of the ocean.
There's not much shopping to be found in Long Reef as it's mainly a residential area. You can find a couple of shops along the main street and a handful of surf stores offering surfboard and wetsuit rentals.
What is there to see and do in the surrounding areas?
This article couldn't be complete without mentioning the beautiful beaches just a stone's throw away from Long Reef. If you're feeling up for an adventure, try walking along Long Reef to nearby Collaroy and along Narrabeen Beach.
Many local surf schools take beginners and students of all levels. There's a huge culture of surfing in this suburb so it won't be difficult to find a school offering lessons for surfers at any skill level. Scuba diving is very popular around the Long Reef headland as well.
Yes, the beach is popular for fishing and some of the best spots are near the rocks around the main footpath that leads down to the surf club. Some species you may be able to hook include bream, whiting and flathead on a good day.
The closest public hospital in the area is Mona Vale Hospital, under 10km from Long Reef. There's also a range of other medical facilities and specialist doctors in nearby suburbs such as Dee Why and Warriewood.
Long Reef is a short drive from both Narrabeen lagoon and Newport Surf Beach, which offer more activities for those who'd like to experience the best of Sydney's northern beaches. There are also plenty of great cafes and restaurants in neighbouring Dee Why or Collaroy offering a number of different cuisines so there will never be a shortage of things to do.