Tamarama BeachCredit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW
Tamarama Beach, Eastern Suburbs Sydney
#ilovesydney
Eugene Tan is one of Australia’s most coveted surf and coastline photographers — you can see some of his stunning work at his Aquabumps website and at his gallery in Bondi. Here Eugene reveals what he loves about his hometown of Sydney, why he’s an early morning person and what’s his favourite NSW holiday spot.
You’re up early to take stunning photographs of waves, surfers and beach culture. What do you love most about this time of the day?
“Mornings in Sydney are special — the sun rises above the ocean, so it’s the best time to shoot beaches. Morning light is gold, vibrant and flattering: it makes anything look good. Also in the morning, there are fewer distractions: no phones, just the ocean and me. Best way to start my day.”
Which Sydney beach do you love photographing the most?
“Bondi — I live there and our Aquabumps gallery is there, so I shoot Bondi most often. I love that no day is ever the same and that I still find new angles and things to shoot.”
What is your favourite café?
“Depends how much time I have on my hands. On Fridays, I like a treat at Porch & Parlour café in North Bondi. [The organic grocery store and plant-based café] UMU on Gould Street in Bondi is suitable for a fly-in-and-fly-out.”
Your favourite holiday spot in NSW?
“The North Coast of NSW. There are just so many stunning beaches, and fantastic surf breaks — all the way to Byron Bay. I love Byron, it’s just got such a chilled vibe, sensational waves and there’s lots to do. You see plenty of nature, whales, birds… and the weather is generally warmer than Sydney.”
You’re known for your incredible aerial photography. How would you describe the landscape here in Sydney and NSW?
“Sydney is like a cracked egg — a myriad of bays, coves and beaches. There’s not a straight part to it — it’s all nooks and inlets.”
Sunrise, Bondi Beach Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Sunrise at Bondi Beach featuring Icebergs ocean pool in foreground
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Sunrise, Bondi Beach Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Sunrise at Bondi Beach featuring Icebergs ocean pool in foreground
Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Morning surf at Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay.
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Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Morning surf at Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay.
What does a normal day look like?
“I shoot at sunrise Monday to Friday until about 8am, usually the eastern suburbs beaches, but recently I’ve been venturing north as far as Palmy [Palm Beach, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches], south and all over greater Sydney. Most days I drop my boys to school, then come to our gallery and work on the daily email that goes out to our 40,000 subscribers and update socials; collectively we have a 256K following.”
Your favourite Sydney restaurants and bars?
“Café Sydney for lunch! Love it. That view [of Sydney Harbour] is sensational: get a table out the front. The Opera Bar [at the Sydney Opera House] is excellent for a drink. If I am around home, I will go to Totti’s in Bondi for dinner and a drink at the nearby Royal Hotel afterwards — a lot of my friends hang out there. Icebergs Dining Room and Bar has a great view [over Bondi Beach] too.”
When you are hosting visitors in Sydney, where do you take them?
“The Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, followed by a swim at South Bondi; a seaplane to Palmy; see the harbour beaches by boat; and a chopper ride around the harbour is quite something.”
Do you have a favourite Secret Sydney experience?
“Camp Cove, to have a drink or coffee at the little café on the beach after a swim at sunset. Or I love Tamarama rocks for a sunset drink and pizza to watch the ocean. It’s impressive: I proposed to my wife Debbie on those rocks.”
Cafe Sydney, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying food and drink with views across Sydney Harbour at Cafe Sydney, Sydney.
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Cafe Sydney, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying food and drink with views across Sydney Harbour at Cafe Sydney, Sydney.
Camp Cove, Watsons Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Camp Cove, Watsons Bay.
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Camp Cove, Watsons Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Camp Cove, Watsons Bay.
More Inspirational Stories
Avoca Beach, Central CoastCredit: Destination NSW
Woman heading out for a morning surf at Avoca Beach on the Central Coast.
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Just 90 minutes’ drive north of Sydney, the Central Coast is blessed with many natural wonders, from beautiful beaches to tranquil lakes and lagoons. Make the most the picturesque coast line, with a mix of activities on and under the water – that will leave you feeling reinvigorated.
Splash out with the family
In the warmer months, people of all ages descend on Central Coast Aqua Park in Gosford, the gateway to the Central Coast, to take on its inflatable water obstacles. The young, and young at heart, can slide, climb, swing and jump in the ultimate aquatic playground under the supervision of trained lifeguards. Sessions should be booked ahead, and the minimum age is five years.
For all kinds of paddling fun, visit Aquafun on Avoca Lake, which hires out a range of pedal-boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, all perfect for exploring this lovely lagoon in the heart of beachside Avoca village. Groups can even tackle the new giant stand-up paddleboard. The lagoon is overflowing with fish and birdlife, as well as a colony of endangered frogs.
Seek out some adventure
In 2011, the decommissioned navy frigate HMAS Adelaide was scuttled not far off the beach at Terrigal, forming an artificial reef. A decade on, the wreck is home to an extensive amount of marine life. Pro Dive Central Coast conducts dives here — it’s just one of 429 dive sites the company can take you to.
At Mt Penang Gardens, just west of Gosford, you can reach for the stars, courtesy of Jetpack Adventures. You can fly a jetpack or a flyboard — or both — and take off from Jetpack Lake. Even kids over 10 years and over 35 kilograms can have a go. Afterwards, browse around the beautiful gardens and refuel at the Waterfall Cafe.
Central Coast Reef & Game Fishing Charters makes sure fish is on the menu by offering reef and game-fishing trips. Operating from Terrigal, a modern 11m vessel whisks hopeful anglers to various popular areas for reef fish, or more serious game fishers out to the deep to challenge sport fish such as marlin, albacore and yellowfin tuna.
Get in the swim
Any Central Coast holiday should include a beach visit — and there are more than 40 to choose from, with 15 of them patrolled, so there’s a perfect spot to suit everyone. Families will seek out Copacabana, Avoca, Ettalong or Toowoon Bay, while surfers will wax lyrical about Tallow, Terrigal, Soldiers and Pelican beaches. Sign up for surf coaching with Central Coast Surf Academy, which takes kids and women’s groups as well as giving tips to advanced surfers.
If ocean pools are more your style, head for The Entrance at the northern end of the Central Coast. The Grant McBride Baths (formerly known as Entrance Ocean Baths) are heritage-listed, with the 50m lap pool, 22m pool and children’s wading pool all built between 1938 and 1965. You’ll find smaller pools at Pearl Beach and Macmasters Beach.
Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Student enjoying a learn to surf experience with Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach.
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Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Student enjoying a learn to surf experience with Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach.
Toowoon Bay, Central Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial of paddleboarders at Toowoon Bay, Central Coast.
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Toowoon Bay, Central Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial of paddleboarders at Toowoon Bay, Central Coast.
Wine and dine on the water
On your way to the Central Coast, book in for an oyster experience with Sydney Oyster Farm Tours in the small fishing village of Brooklyn, around a 50-minute drive from Sydney. All the tours include a boat ride out to the oyster leases in Broken Bay. Visitors can also don waders to walk in the leases, learn to shuck the oysters and taste them in the very waters in which they grew.
Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures conducts guided kayaking tours complemented by spectacular scenery. Opt for the 2.5-hour Eco-Kayak tour on pretty Popran Creek or the five-hour Wine and Seafood Kayak tour on Brisbane Water and Woy Woy Bay. The latter adventure covers 10km and leads you through oyster farms and past a pelican breeding ground before you stop for a delicious seafood lunch on a secluded beach. For those who prefer paddling at their own pace, you can hire kayaks and stand-up paddleboards and go exploring.
Sitting on the deck of a beautiful yacht at sunset, wine in hand, is hard to top. That’s just one of the options available via Hardy’s Bay Yacht Charters at Killcare bordering Bouddi National Park at the southern end of the Central Coast. Charter the luxury 11m Bavaria cruising yacht, or the bigger 14m catamaran, for a range of packages that cater for everyone from beginners to experienced sailors. Choose a sunset cruise, a Sail, Bush Walk and Lunch day trip or a romantic overnight package for one or two nights. With a professional skipper on board, your job is simply to relax and enjoy the ride. Optional water transfers are available to Killcare from Ettalong, Woy Woy, Saratoga and Gosford.
Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney Credit: Destination NSW
Tour group heading out to the pearl long lines at Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney.
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Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney Credit: Destination NSW
Tour group heading out to the pearl long lines at Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney.
Killcare Beach, Killcare Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over the horizon at Killcare Beach, Killcare.
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Killcare Beach, Killcare Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over the horizon at Killcare Beach, Killcare.