Camp Cove

Camp Cove is a small sheltered harbour beach at Watsons Bay in the Woollahra local government area of Sydney, New South Wales, within Sydney Harbour National Park at the base of South Head. Known for its calm waters, fine sand and views across Sydney Harbour to the city skyline, it is popular for swimming, snorkelling and picnics. The beach is backed by a grassy reserve and historic kiosk and lies near the Hornby Lighthouse walk.

Visitors can expect a small, sheltered sandy beach on Sydney Harbour with calm, clear water suitable for swimming and snorkelling. The beach is backed by a grassy reserve with picnic areas and the Camp Cove Kiosk, and offers views across the harbour to North Head and the city skyline. A paved path and steps lead to the sand, with walking tracks connecting to South Head, Hornby Lighthouse and Lady Bay. The setting is quiet and family-oriented within Sydney Harbour National Park.

Camp Cove is historically noted as the site where Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet landed on 21 January 1788 before settling at Sydney Cove, and was named because the party camped there overnight. The cove later became a fishing and pilot station area and is part of the South Head defence and maritime heritage precinct within Sydney Harbour National Park.

The area lies within the traditional lands of the Birrabirragal and Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The harbour foreshore holds Aboriginal cultural heritage values, and the beach and reserve are valued as a long-standing recreational and community gathering place for Sydney residents and visitors.