Obelisk Beach

1 Review
Tags: Australia, NSW, and Sydney
No
No
Yes - paid parking
Nudity is not required

The Good

  • Calm Waters and Easy Access: The beach is renowned for its tranquil waters, often more placid than other nudist spots in Sydney, making it ideal for a serene swim. The approach to the water is clear, without rocks and seaweed, ensuring a pleasant entry.
  • Official Nudist Beach: Obelisk Beach is a legally designated nudist beach, ensuring a genuine and respectful naturist experience. Clear signage at the trailhead sets the expectation, and with only one path leading down, it maintains its exclusive atmosphere.
  • Welcoming to LGBTQ+ Community: The beach is predominantly visited by solo men and is known for being LGBTQ+ friendly. While it welcomes everyone, solo visitors may find Obelisk Beach particularly comfortable and accommodating.
  • Peaceful Nature: Obelisk is nestled within Sydney Harbour National Park and offers stunning views of the surrounding beauty. It is peaceful here even on a busy day and without the city views it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere.

The Bad

  • Challenging Access: While parking is available, it's both scarce and costly at $4 per hour. Public transportation, walking, or ride-sharing are more feasible options, though they may extend your travel time from Sydney's center.
  • Limited Space: On peak days, securing a prime spot on Obelisk Beach's coveted soft sand can be competitive, potentially relegating latecomers to the rocky periphery or grassy knolls. A comfortable mat or chair is recommended for these alternative seating areas.
  • Facilities Shortage: The nearest restrooms are a 5-10 minute trek uphill near the local oval, which might be inconvenient for some. And unlike its neighbor, Cobblers Beach, don't expect the luxury of the ice cream boat making its rounds here.
  • Predominantly Male Visitors: While not a drawback per se, it's noticeable that the majority of beachgoers are men. This demographic skew might be daunting for some, but the atmosphere remains welcoming. During our visit, we observed several women happily enjoying the beach solo as well.

The Naked Truth

Obelisk Beach is a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of Sydney. With its soft sands, shaded grassy areas, and rocky outcrops, there's a perfect spot for everyone to enjoy the stunning vistas. It's notably calmer than other Sydney nude beaches, with gentle waters that are typically wave-free, making it ideal for a peaceful swim. Obelisk is also well-shaded, so you can lounge all day without the risk of turning into a lobster. While it's a secluded spot away from curious onlookers, it's particularly popular with the LGBTQ+ community. The beach is frequented mostly by solo males, but the welcoming atmosphere makes everyone feel at home.

Insider Tip

The beach is mostly shaded in the late afternoon, some come earlier if you want the sun

Who's Here

Mostly solo men of all ages

Beach Surface

Sand and large rocks

Access Difficulty

Medium - a short walk down some steep stairs
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Photos

Our Visit

Matt & Megan
Nude Beach Map. Visited 2023

We visited Obelisk Beach after checking out nearby Cobblers Beach. Both beaches are literally a stone’s throw from each other, except Obelisk Beach is part of Sydney’s busier inner harbour and looks south towards another nude beach – Lady Bay Beach. You’d be forgiven for thinking that if you visited Cobblers, then Obelisk would be the same. Nope, not at all.

While Cobblers Beach is a mix of couples and attracts people of all ages and genders, Obelisk Beach on our visit was almost exclusively solo men. The whole beach, with around sixty to seventy people, was all men, apart from one lady who chose not to embrace the nude beach vibes and remained clothed – but was also solo. During the several hours we spent at Obelisk Beach, there was only one female embracing the nude beach, and it was us! Not to say that everyone wasn’t welcoming or accepting, quite the opposite; we’ve never been to such a popular beach with no females in sight.

Click to show more

Obelisk Beach is well-known within the LGBTQ+ community, and there isn’t any funny business going on here. Everyone respects the nude beach etiquette, and it is extremely laid-back. If you’re wanting to enjoy a nude beach solo, then you definitely won’t be alone here! While we could say you’d be more comfortable at Cobblers Beach as a heterosexual couple, that isn’t the case; you’ll just be in the minority here, which is fine. Obelisk Beach also seems to attract a slightly older crowd than all the other nude beaches we visited in Sydney.

When we visited in the mid-afternoon, the beach was almost totally shaded. Keep that in mind for early in the season when it gets dark earlier. We had to keep moving our towels toward the water to escape the shade, but it seemed like everyone else came here because of that (to each their own!). It was busy here on a nice weekday afternoon, so we imagine weekends here would be crazy in the middle of summer. Definitely come early if you want to grab a spot on the sand. The surf is calmer here than most other beaches and it is also more protected from strong winds.

The walk down to Obelisk is clearly laid out with signage, and access is easy enough. Barely 5 minutes down a steep-ish trail and you’re right in the middle of the beach. We’d say it has the nicest water and surroundings of all of Sydney’s nude beaches. It’s an epic spot and totally worth checking out. You could hit up Cobblers and Obelisk Beach in the same day to find your favourite! But beware, parking inspectors here are brutal – we saw them having a field day with all the cars close to the beach.

Take the ferry + Uber/ bus for a day out if you’re visiting Sydney. It is worth the journey here and leafy upper class Mosman has plenty of lunch spots if you need. Sydneysiders are proud of their nude beaches and this one is a beauty!

Questions? Comments? Add your thoughts or photos below!.

Map

Booking.com

Map

Getting There

Obelisk Beach is nestled in the Sydney Harbour National Park, offering a more secluded experience. As with most secluded beaches, the path can be a bit rugged, so wearing sturdy shoes is advisable. Once you arrive, the tranquil surroundings will make the journey worthwhile.

By Car: Driving to Obelisk Beach is relatively simple. Start by heading towards Mosman, just like you would for Cobblers Beach. Take Military Road and then make a turn onto Chowder Bay Road. Continue on this road until you reach the signposted turn-off for Obelisk Beach. Beware that parking is pricey here at $4 per hour and the lot fills up quickly. From there, it's a short 10-minute walk down a steep path to the beach.

By Public Transport: If you're using public transport, take a ferry from Circular Quay to Mosman. Once there, you can catch a local bus that gets you closer to Chowder Bay Road. You may need to walk a bit from the bus stop to the beach entrance, so check the local bus routes and schedules to plan the best route. Alternatively, you can take a bus from the city center (such as the 244) to the stop nearest to Chowder Bay Road and walk from there.

 

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