Little Bay Beach, Sand beach in Little Bay, New South Wales, Australia.
Little Bay Beach is a sand beach on Sydney's northern beaches with a sheltered semicircular cove bounded by rocky headlands. The shoreline features light-colored sand and is framed by cliff formations that create a defined swimming area.
The area served as an isolation station for smallpox patients in 1881, leading to the establishment of a hospital that operated as an infectious disease facility. This medical purpose shaped the coastal region's development for several generations.
The beach gained international attention through a 1969 art project by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who draped vast sections of coastline with fabric as an environmental statement. This installation remains a defining moment in how people remember and discuss this location.
The beach has no on-duty lifeguards, so swimmers should exercise caution and be self-sufficient regarding safety measures. Public facilities like showers and restrooms are nearby, though visitors should bring their own water and snacks for the day.
On the southern side sits Little Bay Baths, a stone-enclosed swimming area built around 1900 specifically for hospital staff members. This preserved bathing structure with its rock ring offers a rare glimpse into the site's medical past.
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