A gentle, often overlooked bay where the lawns of Vaucluse House run nearly to the water. More a paddle and picnic place than a swimming hole, and lovely for it. Good to know: combine with tea at the Vaucluse House tearooms for a very civilised morning.
Small, sandy and sheltered, the beach sits at the head of Vaucluse Bay on Birrabirragal Country, below the 1803 cottage that William Charles Wentworth grew into Vaucluse House from 1827 and never quite finished. In 1915 it became Australia's first official house museum, and Museums of History NSW now cares for the ten hectare estate, including the Beach Paddock behind the sand, where the kayaks and dinghies stacked under the trees are kept by annual permit. Dogs are allowed on the beach from 3:30pm to 8:30am, on a lead, and Kutti Beach next door has been dog free since November 2025. Nic's note: for a proper swim, Nielsen Park is a short walk away. Come here for the paddle, the shade and the history.