Boat Harbour Beach is a charming and remote beach in Sydney's Kurnell Peninsula.
It is a small beach located on the north-eastern side of the peninsula, surrounded by sand dunes and rugged cliffs. The Beach is about 45 minutes drive from Sydney CBD.
The land the beach is located on originally belonged to the Gweagal Aborigines, a clan of the Tharawal tribe of Indigenous Australians, who are the traditional custodians of the southern geographic areas of Sydney. In 1815, a land grant of 700 acres (2.8 km2), including Boat Harbour, was issued to James Birnie, a whaler and merchant, who named it ‘Alpha Farm’ and built himself a cottage. Over the years, the property was passed down to different owners, and in 1861, it was sold to Thomas Holt, who converted it into the Sutherland Estate.
In 2001, Boat Harbour was declared an aquatic reserve, and restrictions were imposed on fishing and bait collection.
Boat Harbour is home to numerous habitats, including platforms, crevices, rock-pools, boulders, and cobbles, which are home to a variety of bird life such as plovers, ruddy turnstone, and red-necked stint. Occasionally, you might spot an American golden plover, which is a rare species in Australia.
There is no permanent housing on the beach or close by.
Boat Harbour Beach used to be a 4WD park where driving on the beach and sand dunes was permitted, but access to the dunes was closed in 2010. However