Sydney is a treasure trove of delights. The urban mosaic on the Pacific Coast is an assembly of vibrant communities and suburbs that offer staggering architectural diversity. Some of these suburbs, like Little Bay, managed to synergize civilization with the surrounding landscapes in the most profoundly tranquil ways. If you want to have a delightful time in the Sydney area, you should definitely visit this corner, and if you have never been there before, here is a comprehensive guide to Little Bay, Sydney.
A bit of history
Little Bay lies 14 kilometers south of Sydney’s downtown, where Botany Bay meets the Pacific. However, the township itself is turned towards the open ocean. Nearly 150 years ago, the initial settlement in this region was established as a makeshift “tent city”. The intent was to create a quarantined community to stop the spreading of smallpox. The patients that were affected by the notorious Sydney smallpox epidemic of 1881 and 1882 were moved here by the government permanently, and they were treated by the hospital staff. This hospital on the coast was very useful during the bubonic plague outbreak and during both World Wars, for injured soldiers and the ones that came down with some overwhelming ailment.
A marvelous location
A little over a century later, the hospital was moved and the area was marked for residential development. Architects and landscapers saw potential in this bucolic coastal area so the beautifully designed houses sprung up quickly and the community thrived. In the blink of an eye, Little Bay became one of those in-vogue coastal villages where everyone wanted to relocate. It is all about the outstanding ocean view and the peaceful landscapes which are located so close to Sydney’s downtown.
The welcoming residents
The suburb of Little Bay has a population of around 3,000 residents and it is a home to overwhelmingly welcoming people of all ages. Children can play and roam the expansive fields and seniors can stroll around and enjoy the invigorating ocean air. The suburb boasts impeccable award-winning aged care facilities that offer an artfully tailored set of services and medical care. The elders in these facilities lead such pampered lives that most much younger people could easily envy them.
Landmarks
The semi-circular Little Bay beach is the last sizeable sand beach before Botany Bay. It is by far the most popular landmark and communal location in town. The patchwork of greenery between the coast and the town boasts deluxe golf clubs, and if you head south-east you can have a nice stroll through the woodland area until you hit Little Congwong Beach. This is when you will be casting your gaze across the waters of the Botany Bay. This northern headland of the bay has a number of interesting highlights, including the former Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay Weather Station and Aboriginal Health College.
A place that is easy to love
Quite simply, Little Bay is a place that is easy to love. Most people that go house-browsing around the wider Sydney area tend to stick to this corner of New South Wales as soon as they lay eyes on it. Interestingly enough, most people across all generations tend to stay too. Tourists fall in love with the crisp air, beautiful beaches and the cozy hinterland (if you can call it that). The peace of Little Bay is contagious and all visitors that find the right accommodation nearby cannot help but return every now and then. The place has an allure about it that is hard to define but easy to feel.
It is quite a marvel that the attractive suburb of Little Bay had such specific and modest beginnings as a quarantine hospital. This hidden gem lies only 14 kilometers away from Sydney’s central business district and it is well worth the trip – a serene assembly of beautiful houses and tame nature set against a killer ocean view.