Nielsen Park - Vaucluse (NSW)

5 /5 Jackie McMillan: After a few years of being completely closed to the public for reconstruction, Shark Beach aka Shark Bay aka Nielsen Park has finally reopened, so we thought a return visit was justified to see what they’ve done with one of our favourite Sydney Harbour swimming spots. Heck, this was where we got engaged all those years ago! What was going to be a big job, putting in a wheelchair accessible ramp and more seating, turned into a much bigger one, when the council discovered thousands of tonnes of asbestos contaminated material that needed to be safely removed. Anyway, that’s all done, and what we’ve ended up with is a fancier version of the previous beach with some designer monumental concrete touches that are a bit imposing but kinda work. The gorgeous 1912 kiosk has been freshened up and reopened as The Nielsen: I will review on Does My Bomb Look Big In This? soon. The generously proportioned 1932 Dressing Pavilion is unchanged, the adjoining park is untouched and fundamentally, it’s the same gorgeous place that it’s been for generations. I’m sure we’ll keep returning for years to come.

5 /5 Remy Hii: My favourite beach in Sydney! The recent upgrades/renovations to fix the old Seawall took years but were well worth the wait creating a European vibe in Sydney. It’s like an amphitheatre to watch the boats sail by. The kiosk is great too

5 /5 Tolu Australia Latin American Swimwear and Towels: Lovely renovated beach! With great cafe and restaurant. Lots of parking and beautiful views to the harbour. The water was clear and no waves! Definitely recommend a visit. Specially during weekdays!

4 /5 derek williamson: The only downside is the parking really. Lots of shady trees and grass to laze on. There are some good walks through the park, and of course the proximity to the beach is a huge bonus. There are some nice views from up the hill. But do expect to struggle to find a carpark during the holidays, especially on hot beach days.