Clovelly Beach parking remains free while several Sydney beaches charge hourly fees of up to $11.60, according to a survey comparing parking costs across 25 coastal locations.
The comparison identified the highest parking rate at the Bondi Beach Parking Area, where the hourly fee is listed at $11.60. A number of Northern Beaches locations, including Manly, Freshwater, Curl Curl, North Curl Curl, Dee Why, Collaroy, Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Newport, Avalon and Palm Beach, were listed at around $10 per hour.
Balmoral Beach was listed at about $8 per hour, while some parking areas near Coogee were listed at $5.50 per hour.
Despite these charges at several locations, a group of Sydney beaches continues to offer free parking. The list includes Clovelly, Tamarama, Maroubra, Malabar, Little Bay, La Perouse, Brighton-Le-Sands, Ramsgate, Kurnell and Cronulla.
Clovelly Beach provides free on-street parking around the beach and a large free car park on the southern side of the bay.
The beach is located at 3–25R Eastbourne Avenue and sits at the end of a narrow bay. Concrete promenades and platforms line both sides of the beach and are commonly used for swimming access and sunbathing.
A 25 x 6 metre saltwater pool is located on the lowest southern platform. The northern side of the beach includes a ramp that provides disabled access into the water.
Facilities at Clovelly Beach include public toilets, showers, change facilities and nearby food outlets. The Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club is located on the southern side.
Clovelly Beach is patrolled year-round by lifeguards and volunteer surf lifesavers. Patrol hours operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during daylight saving and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside daylight saving.
The beach is located within the Bronte–Coogee Aquatic Reserve, where restrictions apply to protect marine life. Spearfishing is prohibited and fishing for blue groper is not permitted.
A separate report outlined a proposal to introduce paid parking for non-residents at several beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, including Clovelly Beach.
The proposal applies to seven beaches: Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra, Malabar, Little Bay, La Perouse and Yarra Bay. The concept includes a resident permit system that would allow locals to remain exempt from parking fees.
About 9 million people visit beaches in the local area each year, with 84 per cent of beachgoers travelling from outside the local area. Annual beach-related services and maintenance costs have been listed at about $23.5 million.
A family home in Clovelly has delivered a rare windfall for education support across Australia, after a beachfront property sold for more than $10 million with every dollar directed to helping disadvantaged students — a move that is expected to support about 1,300 young people and leave a lasting mark on the local community.
The Surfside Avenue property sold at auction on 14 February 2026, with the proceeds donated to children’s education charity The Smith Family, following the wishes of the late Dr Karen Duggan, a cardiovascular physician and medical researcher who had supported the organisation for decades.
The five-bedroom home, set beside Clovelly Beach with direct access to the shoreline, had been in the same family since the 1950s. Dr Duggan inherited the property from her parents and later directed in her will that its sale should help children facing financial barriers to education.
Family members who oversaw the estate described the decision as consistent with Dr Duggan’s long-standing focus on education and community care. She had worked as an associate professor of medicine at the University of New South Wales and helped establish the biotechnology firm Vectus Biosystems, reflecting a career built on research and education.
The property’s auction drew a large crowd of residents, prospective buyers and charity representatives, highlighting the strong local interest in the sale and its purpose. Eight bidders registered for the auction, with competitive offers pushing the final price to $10.425 million.
The real estate agents handling the sale also contributed to the cause, donating their commission to increase the funds directed to the charity. Details of the property listing were published by PPD Real Estate, which confirmed that the full proceeds were pledged to support disadvantaged students.
Support for students nationwide
The Smith Family, a national organisation working with families across Australia, provides financial assistance for school costs such as uniforms, books and digital devices, along with programs that help parents support their children’s learning.
The donation from the Clovelly sale is expected to help fund education support for about 1,300 students over five years through the charity’s programs. The organisation has described the contribution as creating meaningful long-term support for young people and their families.
A statement shared by The Smith Family said the funds would strengthen its Learning for Life scholarships, which help children stay engaged in school and build future opportunities.
A moment that brought the community together
Coverage of the Clovelly auction described a strong turnout, with neighbours, media crews and local families gathering to watch the sale unfold.
For many residents, the outcome reflected the property’s close ties to the suburb’s history. The home had been a familiar part of the neighbourhood for generations, and its sale for charitable purposes created a shared sense of local pride.
A single house in Clovelly is set to change the lives of hundreds of Australian children, after a late Sydney heart specialist left her $7.5-million beachfront home to be sold so the money could go straight into education support for families who need it most.
The five-bedroom home at 9 Surfside Avenue, Clovelly, known as Caleula, sits on one of the suburb’s largest land holdings with direct access to the coastal reserve that leads down to the beach.
The property, now listed for auction, has become one of Sydney’s most talked-about homes because of where the money is going, not just what the home is worth.
The property is being marketed through PPD Real Estate by agent Alexander Phillips.
The campaign has attracted unusually high buyer interest, driven by both the home’s tightly held coastal position and the fact that the sale will directly fund education programs for disadvantaged children across Australia.
Buyer inquiry levels were reportedly several times higher than typical Clovelly listings, reflecting how the story behind the house has resonated beyond the local market.
The doctor behind the decision
The home was owned by the late Dr Karen Duggan, a respected cardiovascular physician, researcher and associate professor at the University of New South Wales, who also co-founded biotech firm Vectus Biosystems.
Ms Duggan inherited the Clovelly home from her parents and lived a life shaped by a strong belief in fairness, education and health. After her death in 2024, her will directed that the property be sold and that the entire proceeds go to The Smith Family, one of Australia’s largest education charities.
Family members told media outlets that Duggan’s decision reflected the values passed down by her parents and her own lifelong focus on helping people improve their lives through both medicine and education. She had no children of her own and wanted her legacy to benefit young Australians who needed support to stay in school and build better futures.
How the money will be used
The Smith Family has confirmed that the expected funds from the Clovelly sale will support about 1,000 students over several years, helping pay for school supplies, tutoring, uniforms and learning support. The donation would enable more students to complete their education and transition to employment or further study, a major challenge for children growing up in financial hardship.
The size of the donation places this sale among the most significant single-property gifts to an Australian education charity in recent years, turning one home in Clovelly into a long-term source of opportunity for children across the country.
A wider contribution to the charity drive
In another unusual step, selling agent Alexander Phillips of PPD Real Estate has committed to donating his full commission from the sale. This will increase the total donation, ensuring that nearly every dollar generated by the Clovelly sale flows directly into education support rather than transaction costs.
Clovelly is one of Sydney’s most tightly held beach suburbs, known for its village feel, small coastal reserve and limited supply of freestanding homes. The property at Surfside Avenue sits on the third-largest block in the suburb, making it especially rare.
Caroline Smith from Clovelly SLSC has been recognised with a National Medal after completing 15 years of active surf lifesaving service, reflecting sustained patrol and safety work at Clovelly Beach and nearby waters.
The recognition places Clovelly SLSC among clubs represented in the latest national honours round announced by Surf Life Saving Australia. The award acknowledges long service carried out in roles involving personal risk, including beach patrols, rescues, first aid, and preventative actions.
Smith is the only member from Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club listed among the 212 recipients recognised nationwide in this award batch.
What The National Medal Represents
The Commonwealth established the National Medal in 1975 as part of Australia’s official honours system. Commonwealth regulation sets eligibility, not Surf Life Saving Australia, with strict rules on service length and patrol commitment.
To qualify, members must complete a minimum of 15 full years of operational service, record at least 30 patrol or lifeguard hours each season, and remain proficient throughout their service. All service must be active, verified, and completed before an application is accepted.
Clovelly SLSC In Context
Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club has operated as a volunteer organisation since 1906. The club patrols Clovelly Beach and nearby coastal areas. In the most recent season, members logged thousands of patrol hours and carried out dozens of rescues and hundreds of first aid and preventative actions.
Training outcomes included new Bronze Medallion holders, rescue qualifications, and CPR updates, reflecting the steady work that supports beach safety across the local community.
Recognition At Club Level
National Medals are presented at club or service level to keep recognition grounded in local communities. In Clovelly, Smith’s award reflects sustained commitment over many seasons rather than a single incident.
The recognition links a national honour to the beach where the service occurred. It highlights the role long-serving volunteers play in keeping residents and visitors safe year after year.
A familiar summer debate has resurfaced at Sydney beaches, with beach cabanas once again dividing opinion. This year, Clovelly Beach has found itself at the centre of the conversation, not because of an influx of cabanas, but because of their noticeable absence.
Sydney-based content creator Guncle Diaries recently shared a video filmed at Clovelly, drawing attention to the fact that while beach cabanas were visible on the sand, none had spilled onto the concrete areas. The post revisited a topic that gained traction last summer, when cabanas became a flashpoint for discussions about space, etiquette and beach culture.
A Trend That Keeps Returning
Beach cabanas, particularly branded versions such as CoolCabanas, rose sharply in popularity from 2022 onwards. Marketed as an easy way to create shade, they were quickly adopted by families and beachgoers concerned about sun exposure.
Over time, however, criticism grew. What began as a practical shade solution became, in some cases, a dominant presence on busy beaches, with cabanas occupying large sections of sand, grass and access areas.
Why Clovelly Stands Out
Clovelly’s layout has long influenced how people use the beach. Limited sand space and shared concrete areas mean there is less room for large structures compared with wider beaches.
The latest video highlighted that dynamic, suggesting Clovelly’s physical constraints may naturally discourage the spread of oversized cabanas, particularly on hard surfaces where they cannot be anchored.
For many locals, that absence reflects an unspoken understanding about how space is shared at Clovelly, especially during peak summer days.
Opinions Split Online
The video sparked renewed discussion online. Some viewers supported the idea that large cabanas dominate shared areas and detract from the beach experience. Others defended their use, pointing to the importance of shade, particularly for people who burn easily, families with children or those managing medical or skin-related concerns.
Sun safety remains a central argument in favour of cabanas, especially as awareness around skin cancer and UV exposure continues to grow.
A Broader Beach Culture Conversation
Beyond Clovelly, images shared on social media have shown cabanas spreading across beaches in Australia and overseas. In some cases, beachgoers have reportedly set them up early in the morning, or even the night before, to secure prime spots.
The debate has become part of a wider conversation about how shared public spaces are used, and where the balance sits between personal comfort and collective courtesy.
As summer continues, Clovelly’s cabana-light approach may appeal to some, while others continue to prioritise shade wherever they can find it. Either way, the discussion shows no sign of disappearing with the tide.
We’ve combed Clovelly, Clovelly West, Randwick, Randwick DC, and St Pauls for the best reviewed restaurants in the area where people waxed lyrical about their dining experience and what they love most about it. Here’s our list!
Tamiko V ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ You are truly missing out if you don’t plan a dinner date night at Dolce Fiorii. I went with my gals and had the most wonderful time. The wine was smooth. The food was delicious. The venue is aesthetically on point! But what made the evening that extra special was restaurant owner Mario checking in on everyone and having a wonderful chat with some definite wise words from a wise man! It was a 10/10 experience on a Tuesday night! I cannot wait to go back
Ciara G ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Had a phenomenal time here tonight. The food and service was 5 star. Rasu and the new server really made our night. They even gave us little chocolate treats when we didn’t want dessert and were so accommodating when we wanted to move outside. Would definitely recommend and will be back!!
Kiki G ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had a mum and son dinner. My 5yo son said he wished he could give a 5 star rating. He said especially because they were so nice to us and because the place was super pretty and nice. I enjoyed my steak with potatoes and salad. I couldn’t finish the whole steak. We are visiting from out of area for the children’s hospital. Thanks for cheering us up.
Natchapol B ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The food is magnificent and I think the waiter who looked after us was the owner of restaurant because he was really good at everything Ps. If you want to order Lobster spaghetti like me you have to book at least 2 days
AvH ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Have been going to Sella for a few years now. Fantastic Sardinian food and wine at a very reasonable price with an attached bottle shop if you want to grab anything on the go. Service is always warm, the owner is regularly in the restaurant himself and is an absolute legend. Highly recommended.
Marine G ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is my fourth time at Sella Vinoteca and I have always had a great experience. Really good value for money with great produce and wines. The owner and staff (all Italian) know their stuff and are lovely. Ask for a wine recommendation, they’ll select a wine for you that will pair well with the food on the menu that day. Cannot recommend this place more!!!
Mike C ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The food was good. Outdoor seating was pleasant. And they sat me at 9pm which in Sydney is not to be taken for granted 🤣 What more can you ask for? I will be returning
Tristan M ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I finally ate here with my husband last Saturday, I have been wanting to try it for so long and just wish I’d discovered it sooner. One of the best Italian restaurants. The pasta is to die for, home made and so fresh. Such a warm cosy atmosphere. We plan to go back regularly and try everything on the menu!
Ingrid T ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What a lovely find on our visit to Randwick. Friendly staff, clean premises, and beautiful food. Just loved the home made bread rolls with room temp butter👍 – so good to not rip the warm bread! And our main meals were delicious. My seafood was so fresh and tender and the batter was thin and not oil soaked – just delicious. My hubby had veal saltimbocca and again it was fresh and tender, cooked perfectly with lovely veggies. Thank you for a lovely experience.
Scarlett ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The most beautiful restaurant. The atmosphere is very romantic and would be perfect for a date. The food was very well cooked- just keep in mind it’s mostly share plates as opposed to mains! Iyu was a really lovely server. So helpful and friendly. She has a beautiful smile too!
Jenny X ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wow! What a beautiful experience 😍 This beautiful Spanish tapas restaurant is so beautiful and lovely ❤️ The food is amazing and delicious 😋 The atmosphere is romantic and cute 🙌 We ordered the set menu, and the food is divine 👌 Lots of foods and it was so delicious 😋 Highly recommend 👍
Richard F ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great food, excellent quick and friendly service, a little escape to Spain. Perfect for pre or after movie at the Ritz directly opposite.
GaveUp ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Had a quick dinner here on a Friday, managed to squeeze into a 45 minute slot as we didn’t make any reservation. Enjoyed a tasty pizza, fantastic Vongole pasta & some starters. Food is really good, so good that we pack another serving home.
Andy M ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ As a couple, we got the Bruschetta to start, the Lobster Spaghetti main and the veggie pasta. We had Tiramisu as a dessert. The starter was ok, but overpriced for what it is. The mains were good and tasty. The Tiramisu dessert was good. We shared a bottle of the Italian Pinot Grigio which was also nice. The service was good and the place was busy. The only downside is the fact that, though they advertise it, they charge a surcharge for card payments. This seems pretty stingy in this day and age where many places absorb these costs as 99% of people are using card now. Disappointing way of putting costs of doing business into the customer on top of the product cost.
Alma ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had the salmon pate to start…. which was absolutely delicious, don’t go past it. For the mains I had the Mammas pasta it was big (not a bad complaint these days)…. but it was so tasty. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone. The best in the Spot in Randwick.
Following a direct call for action from residents, Clovelly Beach is being transformed with significant safety and accessibility upgrades, as a major project born from community feedback nears completion.
The works, which began earlier in the year, are scheduled for completion this spring. The final resurfacing of the new pool stairs is expected to wrap up by mid-October, a slight delay caused by the need for warmer weather to allow the materials to set correctly. The new lifeguard facility and the smart beach sign are on track for completion this month, in September.
The push for these improvements began when the community voiced its needs at a public consultation event. Residents and beachgoers emphasised the need for improved access to the Geoff James Ocean Pool and enhanced facilities to support the lifeguards who patrol the beach throughout the year. Randwick City Council listened, and the resulting project directly reflects the feedback received from the people who use the beach every day.
Making the Pool Accessible for All
A key part of the project is the installation of a new set of accessible stairs in the southeast corner of the ocean pool. The old access was challenging for some swimmers, and the new design incorporates a landing, handrails, and modern balustrades to ensure safer and more convenient entry into the water for everyone, especially those with mobility difficulties. While the stairs are now in place, the final resin coating requires a period of warm, calm weather to cure properly, which has pushed the final handover to October.
With lifeguard patrols recently extended to operate from sunrise to sunset all year, their previous temporary shelter was no longer adequate. The old 7m² tower lacked power and modern technology. In its place now stands a specially fabricated, elevated facility that gives lifeguards a better view of the entire beach. The new structure provides more space, technology hook-ups, and storage for vital equipment underneath, ensuring lifesavers have the tools they need to keep the community safe. The old tower has not gone to waste; it will be relocated to Little Bay to improve amenities for the lifeguards there.
Alongside the new lifeguard hub, a Smart Beach Sign is being installed on the promenade. This digital sign will provide real-time updates on swimming conditions, safety messages, and other important information, helping visitors make informed and safe decisions during their time at Clovelly.
A 19-year-old apprentice mechanic from Clovelly is confronting a rare and aggressive cancer, determined to keep living life on his own terms as neighbours, friends and colleagues rally to support him.
In July 2025, Jack Clement learned he had stage 4 Uveal Metastatic Melanoma that had spread to his liver. Even with treatment, doctors warned his life expectancy could be as short as two years. He is undergoing immunotherapy at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney to prolong his life.
The illness first appeared at age 15, when melanoma in his right eye damaged his retina. Doctors believe his condition may be linked to having two different coloured eyes and years of daily surfing in the sun at Clovelly.
Support From Family and Partner
Jack’s father, Edward, has encouraged him to focus on hope and strength despite the prognosis. Jack has resolved to live as though he is overcoming the illness, aiming to make the most of every day.
His partner, Ariana Fox, has stood by him throughout hospital visits, giving up her job as a preschool teacher and moving in with Jack, his mother and eight-year-old sister. She described him as a person who always puts others before himself.
Workplace Stands By Him
Jack is in his final year as an apprentice mechanic at St Peters Auto. His supervisor, Spiros Georgiou, said Jack’s work ethic and willingness to help have made him part of their workshop family.
The team has assured him that he will always have a place at work. Jack still plans to visit the workshop after hospital stays to maintain the connection with his colleagues.
Community Fundraising Efforts
Friend James Fokes created a GoFundMe campaign on 28 July 2025 to help cover Jack’s medical costs and living expenses while he is unable to work. The campaign quickly gained traction, raising more than half of its $40,000 goal within three days.
Donations are helping fund treatment, travel to hospital and day-to-day needs, allowing Jack and his family to concentrate on spending meaningful time together.
A quiet Clovelly street has become the centre of a heated neighbourhood dispute, as residents unite to fight the decision to cut down a towering 24-metre fig tree that has stood for up to 80 years.
The conflict, which escalated in late February 2025, stems from a homeowner’s complaint alleging the tree’s roots damaged a fence, lawn and driveway along Quail Street, just a block from the beach.
In response, Council decided to remove the tree, citing insurance limitations and long-term liability concerns. However, locals say the decision was rushed and lacked proper consultation, sparking community action and potential legal proceedings.
Residents say the tree offers more than just greenery — it provides vital shade, softens traffic noise, attracts native birds and animals, and enhances the street’s character. They believe removing it would affect their quality of life and set a dangerous precedent for how councils handle urban trees.
Long-time Clovelly resident Petrana Lorenz, who lives opposite the tree, said families on Quail Street have spent decades enjoying the wildlife it attracts, including parrots, possums and herons. She said removing the fig would not only increase heat and noise but also strip the area of its unique charm.
Others in the neighbourhood have echoed similar concerns. Maria Bradley told reporters she worries the decision could pave the way for more tree removals across the suburb. She and others feel large, mature trees are being sacrificed for short-term convenience, despite the environmental and community benefits they bring.
Randwick City Council has said it only removes trees as a last resort and has planted more than 2,000 street trees since 2022 to meet its goal of increasing canopy cover by 40 per cent by 2040. It plans to replace the weeping fig with a younger lilly pilly tree that is “better suited” for street planting.
However, residents argue that a newly planted tree will not immediately offer the cooling effects or wildlife habitat that the current one provides. Urban planning expert Professor Sarah Bekessy said claims that replacement trees can offer the same benefits are misleading. She believes regulations should better protect old trees in urban areas, given their unique role in cooling streets and supporting biodiversity.
Some residents question whether the damage to the fence and driveway was even caused by the tree at all. They paid for an independent engineering report which reportedly found no conclusive link between the tree and the structural damage. They are now seeking access to council documents and the insurer’s recommendations, filing freedom of information requests in hopes of reviewing the evidence behind the removal order.
Legal Challenge Looms
With support growing from local MP Allegra Spender, who has written to the mayor requesting a pause on the decision, residents are preparing to challenge the council’s plan in the NSW Land and Environment Court. Homeowner Rob Aird said it would be more sensible for Council to cover the relatively minor repair cost directly instead of cutting down a tree that has become part of the community’s identity.
This isn’t the first time Quail Street has faced a battle over its trees. Two decades ago, residents successfully opposed a plan to remove all five figs that line the footpath. Now, many fear that if one is removed, the others may follow.
The extraordinary general meeting held on 25 March did not change Council’s position, and the removal remains on the table. Residents say they’re not giving up and will continue exploring all available options — including court intervention — to keep the fig tree standing.
An aged care watchdog has found Elderly Home Care Solutions, a home care provider in Clovelly, non-compliant with all eight Quality Standards, raising concerns over staff competency, outdated care plans, infection control, and inadequate training.
The September 2024 inspection raised concerns over staff competency, outdated care plans, infection control, and inadequate training.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has issued 19 requirements for the provider to meet in order to regain compliance. The audit forms part of routine regulatory checks ensuring aged care services meet national safety and quality benchmarks.
The inspection revealed significant shortcomings in multiple areas:
Staff Qualifications and Training – Some employees lacked the necessary qualifications or ongoing training to perform their roles.
Care Planning and Risk Management – Many care plans were outdated, failing to assess risks related to falls, nutrition, hydration, and skin integrity.
Daily Support Services – Staff reported care plans did not always reflect the actual services provided.
Infection Control Measures – The provider lacked an outbreak management plan, raising concerns over disease prevention strategies.
Governance and Compliance Oversight – Gaps in governance meant non-compliance issues were not proactively addressed.
Provider’s Response and Action Plan
Following the report, Elderly Home Care Solutions has implemented an improvement plan to address the compliance failures. Measures include:
Enhanced staff training to ensure qualifications and competency levels meet standards.
A review of subcontracting arrangements to verify staff credentials.
Updating induction and onboarding processes to better prepare workers.
Revising care plans to reflect accurate, up-to-date information for each client.
A spokesperson for the provider acknowledged the need for improvements but highlighted that client satisfaction remains high. According to the report, client feedback was overwhelmingly positive, despite the operational shortcomings identified.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission monitors providers to ensure compliance with national aged care standards. Elderly Home Care Solutions is expected to meet the 19 improvement requirements before regaining full regulatory approval.
