A honeycomb-coloured stretch of sand surrounding a wildlife reserve, Towra Spit Beach is a wonderful spot for bird watchers, if you have a boat to get there.

16 kilometres southwest of Sydney, Towra Spit Beach’s mix of RAMSAR protected wetlands, sand flats, mangroves and seagrass can only be reached by boat. Be sure to use one of the public moorings when you pull up with your boat to protect the fragile seagrass beds.

The beach can be very busy on weekends and public holidays. If you’re lucky enough to enjoy this tranquil beach on your own during the week then pack a picnic to enjoy by its calm waters. Visitors will mostly be of the winged kind; rare migrating birds wade the coastline. Dogs are not permitted and it’s critical that endangered migratory shorebirds like the pied oystercatchers remain protected while nesting, roosting and feeding on the beach.

Located inside Towra Point Aquatic Reserve, line fishing is permitted but spearfishing, beach collecting, anchoring, and other activities are not.

The silhouettes of Captain Cooks and Tom Uglys bridges are a reminder that you’re not far from the city, even though you’ll feel miles away.