The best secret beaches in Sydney to discover this summer

A trip to Resolute Beach should be a compulsory part of any visit to the stunning Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. Looking out over Pittwater, with Barrenjoey Head and its picture-perfect lighthouse in the distance, it takes a little effort to get to Resolute, but boy, does the time invested pay dividends. You can reach these sands either by taking the Mackeral Trail from Mackeral Beach after catching a boat across from Pittwater Park Wharf or by heading south on the Resolute Track from the West Head Lookout. Whichever you choose, your day at the beach will come bookended by a blissful bushwalk through some of the most beautifully unspoiled parklands near the city.

Deep within the Royal National Park is a sandy oasis that has to be seen to be believed. You can take a swim in the emerald waters of the creek-fed lagoon, which is also a great spot for snorkelling, or simply lay back against one of the cabbage tree palms with a good book. If you’re a budding shutterbug, the Wattamolla Waterfall may well rank as one of the most photogenic natural wonders anywhere in the park, and be sure to take the short bushwalk to Providential Lookout to snap some dramatic shots of the rugged sea cliffs. What makes this little slice of paradise extra impressive is that you’ll also find great facilities here, thanks to the well-equipped picnic area, so bring along some snags and grill up lunch on one of the public barbecues. Park entry costs apply.

Tucked away in Vaucluse along the gorgeous Hermitage Foreshore Walk, this hidden gem is just 50-metres long but boasts some epic views of the city, including the Harbour Bridge, Rose and Hermit Bays, and the historic Strickland House overlooking the beach. If you're lucky, you can also catch the odd seaplane or two taking off from the gentle shallows nearby.

Nestled in the heart of the millionaires' playground near Camp Cove (the overlooking residences are some of the priciest pads in the city), this secluded crescent of shore is just a hop skip and jump from the South Head, where you can visit Hornby Lighthouse and can take in epic views of the Tasman Sea. Round out your day with a sundowner at the Watsons Bay Hotel, as dusk descends on the city to the west.

The Manly to Spit Coastal Trail may be one of Sydney's most popular inner-city hikes, but this charming beach on the Dobroyd Head leg of the track is often overlooked by passersby. This pretty spot has great views across the harbour waters towards Manly, and because of its sheltered position within the North Harbour, the swimming conditions here are excellent. The sandstone outcrops at the beach’s tips are well worth exploring, both for the marine life hiding in the many rock pools and for the ancient Aboriginal carvings, depicting fish and shields. These are extremely weathered and not always possible to spot, but they're easiest to find when the tide is at its lowest.

On the south side of Middle Head, Obelisk Beach is another hidden pocket renowned for its peace, quiet and views of the South Head. It's a decent hike down from the nearest parking to this salty haven, but it's worth it for the gorgeous views of Camp Cove, Parsley Bay, Watsons Bay and Vaucluse in the distance. But be aware, Obelisk is a nude-friendly beach, so if you shock easily, this may not be the shore for you.

A long, narrow stretch of sand tucked in Felix Bay, Lady Martins Beach is the perfect place for an exclusive dip in the harbour waters. It's hiding down a little lane next to the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, and yes, that does mean the area has some seriously minted locals. Don't worry, you can pretend you're one of them, while you secretly stickybeak on the multi-million dollar properties that overlook these sands. 

You'll find this beach – split in two by a protrusion of rock – right at the end of the Prince Henry development in Little Bay. It has great facilities and still, calm waters. Grab a slushie from the supermarket on your way out of Prince Henry. We almost feel guilty spilling the beans on this little secret. Almost.

This beach's seclusion, and the rocky path you need to climb down, keeps it clear of crowds. Access via the Hermitage Foreshore Walking Trail (it's just a 5-minute walk from the Rose Bay end of the trail). At high tide, most of the beach's sand ends up underwater, but that won’t affect your view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. If you’re more of a sit-on-the-sand type, though, continue along the trail, and you’ll get to the slightly bigger Milk Beach, which we also love.