Chinamans Beach, Mosman (1/5)

Chinamans Beach is directly across Middle Harbour from our usual Sunday morning haunt of Clontarf Reserve. It is very, very different. For starters, there is no enclosed pool. There are far fewer people, probably because access - and parking - are more difficult. However, we arrived at 930am and were gone just after midday.

It borders close to the description of "unspoilt", does this beach. That does not mean undeveloped. It is accessed via a kempt parkland with BBQs and playground. Perfect for kite-flying, and reading. Access to the beach itself is via a small wooden "bridge" and a bushland meander-path. And this is the view at the end. In the final photo, we are looking out towards the Heads of the main harbour itself.

In the 1840s, Chinese market gardens occupied the land behind what was known as Shell Cove. Hence, the name of the beach. The gardens were established by Cho Hi Tick on a leased grant from Captain John McLean's "Park Gate Estate".