Obelisk Beach

Obelisk Beach is a favourite of the gay and Lesbian sun-lover, boatie and "bush-walker". It is a secluded beach on Sydney`s north side of the Harbour, near affluent Mosman.

Unless you are one of the lucky Sydney-siders to own a boat or had the good chance to pick-up one of these boat-owning Sydney-siders on Oxford Street the previous night, getting to Obelisk Beach requires a bit of a trek.

A water taxi will take you, or you can get there by land taxi. Both these options are expensive from the south side of the Harbour - where most of the Gay Action takes place. By Bus from Wynyard Station, take the 244 bus to Balmoral Naval Base (the last stop on the line) from bus stand A/B on the corner of Margaret and Carrington Streets in the City. This bus departs hourly from 09:29, then 10:29 etc.

Once there, walk through the parking lot on the right side of the road and brave the bush track to the beach. Some call this walk, the Enchanted Forrest Trek and many a Troll can be seen lurking in the shadows. It is not easy to find the beach, as pathways meander in all directions. You will pass many a pilgrim on these paths. Though it appears all are on a determined mission, most will stop to point you in the general direction of the beach.

The other way to the beach is to walk about 100 meters down Chowder Bay Road and keep an eye out for steps leading down to the beach. This is a more direct route to the beach and is recommended to the first timer as he is less likely to be way-laid, bush-whacked or side-shunted.

Once at this picturesque harbour beach and a place has been scratched in the sand to place the essentials, the decision will be whether to fully disrobe and let it all hang out, or to maintain that tan-line and a modicum of modesty by slipping into the bathers. Either way, no one seems to take much notice and that nerve-racking feeling that comes with being the newest arrival at the beach, soon subsides as you become a kindred spirit to the beach spectators, discretely perusing the surroundings through mirrored sunglasses.