Sydney’s beaches come with plenty of personality and little quirks. There are secluded beaches that cease to exist at high tide and some that sparkle with bioluminescence after dark. One such beach is Mackenzies Bay which vanishes completely at times only to reappear every seven to 10 years. This tiny bay is only about 50 m long and hidden between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach. It is also one of the smallest beaches in all of NSW and referred to locally as “Maccas“. If you love exploring Sydney’s many hidden gems, this is one you should definitely add to the list and the good news is that you don’t have to wait seven years. The hidden beach has once again made a dramatic reappearance as the weather continues to warm up so you know where to go for your next beach outing.
Mackenzies Bay, Sydney
Essentially a small nook between Bondi and Tamarama the beach tends to disappear and reappear depending on weather conditions. It’s hard to say when it will appear and because of its ambiguous nature, many locals are unaware of its existence too. Most of the time it’s nothing more than a narrow strip of land, but every few years enough sand washes up to reveal a proper deep beach. There was once a period of ten years when it didn’t make an appearance at all. Wondering what causes it to disappear? It’s as simple as seasonal change and tides. The beach reappears when waves sweep sand onto the coast turning Mackenzies Bay into Mackenzies Beach.
Aside from its shapeshifting nature, the bay also provides a more laidback vibe and atmosphere than the more popular beaches it’s surrounded by.
How to get to Mackenzies Bay
The route to Mackenzies Bay is just as pretty as the spot itself. It’s located on the south side of Mackenzies Point and you can get easy access via the stunning Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.
The picturesque sandy spot is not an official beach and not patrolled so it’s not considered safe to swim although it is a popular local spot for sunbathing and fishing.
There’s no knowing how long it will be around so don’t miss out on seeing it this spring and summer. Read more about Mackenzie’s Bay here and read more about its history courtesy of Waverley Council.