Towra Beach
Towra Point Nature Reserve
Overview
Kurnell’s delightful Towra Beach is ideal for boating, kayaking or a leisurely picnic, all with the Sydney city skyline as your backdrop.
- Where
- Towra Point Nature Reserve
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- To ensure that this nature reserve is enjoyed for generations to come, please be sure to follow NSW Fisheries advice.
- Stay within marked areas.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch.
A honeycomb-coloured stretch of sand surrounding a wildlife reserve, Towra Beach is wonderfully unassuming and a great place to escape from the crowds.
16km south west of Sydney, Towra Beach’s mix of protected wetlands, sand flats and seagrass can only be reached by boat or paddling. More than likely, you’ll enjoy this tranquil beach on your own, so pack a picnic or build a sandcastle by its calm waters. Any visitors will mostly be of the winged kind; rare migrating birds wade the coastline.
Why not visit during summer and stay for sunset? The silhouettes of Captain Cook's and Tom Ugly’s bridges standing tall in the fading orange light is something you’ll remember long after the sun disappears. For another view of the nature reserve stop at Quibray Bay viewing platform on the way home.
Nearby:
-
Quibray Bay viewing platform
Quibray Bay viewing platform in Kurnell is a great place for birdwatching and also features scenic views across conservation areas close to Sydney.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/canoeing-paddling-experiences/towra-beach/local-alerts
Park info
- in Towra Point Nature Reserve in the Sydney and surrounds region
Towra Point Nature Reserve is accessible by boat only. Access to the land is available on special consent for research and educational purposes only. Contact the local Area office on 9668 2000.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Towra Beach.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Towra Beach is in the northern precinct of Towra Point Nature Reserve. The beach is only accessible by boat. To get there:
- Follow Captain Cook Drive towards Kurnell
- At the T intersection turn left towards Botany Bay
- Turn left again at Prince Charles Parade
- Continue to the end where Bonna Point boat ramp is on the right
- From here it’s a short trip across Quibray Bay to Towra Beach
Park entry points
- Bonna Point boat ramp See on map
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at the council managed Bonna Point boat ramp, including several designated trailer parking spots.
Best times to visit
Spring
A variety of birds, including rainbow lorikeet, crimson rosella and Eastern rosella can be seen feeding on purple berries during spring.
Summer
Take a picnic and your swimmers to Towra Beach picnic area and cool off during the hot summer months.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
25°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
43.4°C
Winter temperature
Average
16°C and 21°C
Lowest recorded
0.1°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
216.2mm
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dogs and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Towra Beach is in Towra Point Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A bird watching haven
Some of the birds that feed on the intertidal flats around Towra Point migrate over 12,000km, coming from as far away as Siberia, China and Japan. Nearly all the migratory birds here are wading birds or shorebirds. You may spot a royal spoonbill or a Pacific golden plover when you visit the reserve; this is a great place for birdwatching and nature photography. Nearly all of the migratory birds that have used the Towra Point area are wading birds or shorebirds. Approximately 34 of the 80 species of migratory birds listed for protection have been recorded as using the Towra Point wetlands.
- Quibray Bay viewing platform Quibray Bay viewing platform in Kurnell is a great place for birdwatching and also features scenic views across conservation areas close to Sydney.
Aboriginal country
The beautiful coastal landscape of Towra Point is country for various Dharawal, Dharug and Eora nations. It has provided an abundant source of natural food, being especially rich in seafood and fresh drinking water, for thousands of years. This nature reserve is now a dedicated Aboriginal Place, in recognition of the natural and spiritual significance to this remarkable civilisation. Aboriginal sites, including middens and earth mounds, are all a part of Towra’s fascinating historic landscape.
Captain Cook’s landing
The site of one of the first contacts between European and Aboriginal peoples, Towra Point is a hugely important place for Australia as we know it today. In April 1770, the Cook expedition explored the area and mapped Towra Lagoon as a source of fresh water. Botany Bay was also the site of some of Australia's first botanical collections by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander; much of what they saw can still be seen here today.
Sights to behold
Boating and kayaking through the maze of waterways is a great way to see Towra Point Nature Reserve. Be sure to stay within sanctuary and refuge zones to help preserve this outstanding environment. Towra Beach picnic area is a popular destination in summer with boaties, who are tempted by the views stretching from Botany Bay to Sans Souci.
- Quibray Bay viewing platform Quibray Bay viewing platform in Kurnell is a great place for birdwatching and also features scenic views across conservation areas close to Sydney.
- Towra Beach Kurnell’s delightful Towra Beach is ideal for boating, kayaking or a leisurely picnic, all with the Sydney city skyline as your backdrop.
