Chinamans Beach, Mosman, Sydney: Swimming & parking

One of the smaller beaches on Sydney Harbour, Chinamans Beach in Mosman has barbecue facilities and a playground in the neighbouring Rosherville Reserve. Swimmers should watch out for the steep drop, though.

Where is Chinamans Beach, Sydney?

Chinamans Beach is an underrated and little-known beach on Cobblers Bay in the Mosman area of Sydney. It’s the closest beach to the southern end of the Spit Bridge, and is the next beach north from the far more famous Balmoral Beach.

Having the bigger, shinier neighbour helps give Chinamans Beach some of its character. It’s a much quieter and less showy place to go for a Sydney Harbour swim. That said, you’ll still have plenty of gleaming white yachts in your eyeline.

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Taronga Zoo – the zoo with harbour views (and plenty of cute Aussie animals)
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Sydney Cricket Ground – behind the scenes secrets tour.
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How did Chinamans Beach get its name?

500 metres south of the Spit, Chinamans Beach is one of the smaller beaches on Middle Harbour. It’s about 230 metres long. The name comes from the Chinese market garden that used to be behind it. This is now Rosherville Reserve, which has public barbecues, changing rooms and a children’s playground.

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The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

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Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
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Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
(🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.

Chinamans Beach parking

There is a small pay and display car park at Rosherville Reserve, plus limited street parking on the surrounding streets.

Come on a summer weekend, though, and you’ll be lucky to get a space unless you arrive early.

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Is it safe to swim at Chinamans Beach, Sydney?

Swimming at Chinamans Beach, Mosman, is fairly safe. Like most of the northern harbour beaches, it doesn’t receive big ocean swells, although some small, choppy waves can get up occasionally.

The main issue, particularly for young, unconfident swimmers is that the water gets deep pretty quickly, with a steep drop-off not far from the shoreline.

The nearest cafés are by the Spit Bridge, from where you can also go on a Middle Harbour kayaking tour. You can pick between the guided and self-guided options, but both are great.