Waterside Park: Clifton Gardens at Chowder Bay, Mosman

There’s a waterside park that lots of Mosman locals know about, but perhaps it’s time this secret spot got out to more North Shore families! Clifton Gardens at Chowder Bay in Mosman is a one-stop spot for waterside fun and lots of relaxation.

When a friend suggested we catch up at Clifton Gardens Reserve, Chowder Bay, in Mosman, I jumped in the car with Essie (my dog), and set off to discover the little treasure I had never visited before, where I found a small netted beach, a jetty for fishing, a dog park and playground to explore.

We drove straight there, arriving to find a spacious open air car park that looks over the whole park. There is a $20 fee for all-day parks, but you’d have no problems finding enough fun. to fill a whole day (and if you’re a wheelchair user like me with a disabled sticker, parking is free).

The entrance to Clifton Gardens Chowder Bay, Mosman

Shaded playground

The playground at Clifton Gardens is fenced and has lots of shade. With a huge amount of equipment, the playground is set on sand, and has its very own, built-in sand pit so the children can dig and build sandcastles in any area. They also have a mini basketball court, accessible toilets and plenty of seating, so no matter where your children are playing you can always be near them.

The fenced playground has lots of shade from canvas sailcloth, giving it a nautical feel!

The playing area is cleverly built on natural sand for soft fall and grip under little feet

The sand is studded with posts for structural support -and providing somewhere to play tip!

Classic equipment like slides and swings are timeless and provide hours of fun

A climbing cage is a great frame for play and safe risk taking, plus hide-and-seek!

The Off-Leash Dog Park

Bring your pooch when you visit Clifton Gardens! Entering the park, the first thing you will see is the off-leash dog park, complete with a tap and water bowl and plenty of places where your furbaby can run free with other dogs they meet at the park.

The harbourside beach at Clifton Gardens

There’s an accessible walking and riding path along the waterfront for children and adults

In front of the dog park is a small beach where you and your family can lay down rugs and picnic in the winter sun, or for more adventurous, it’s the perfect place for a run or a brisk swim.

There’s an area marked out with protective shark net, not far from shore, so you can watch your children swim and know they will be safe at all times while still enjoying the great outdoors.But either way, it’s a great place to relax in the glorious sunshine.

The Clifton Gardens offers safe swimming and green places for children to play

A view of the beach and sea at the gardens

The soft expanse of sand is great for family picnics, sun-baking or games

The shaded gazebo set along the green park gardens at Clifton Garden

Fishing at Clifton Gardens

On the water they have a jetty where you can do a spot of fishing it’s great for parents and older children to get out there and have a go. The surrounding waters of Chowder Bay are brimming with marine life like the Eastern Hulafish, which are easy to spot as they swim in schools to be well-protected from predators. If you’re really lucky you may even see a seahorse!

Be careful of the Old Wife Fish, these swim in pairs and groups and look a bit like a black and white Angel fish. They are pretty but if you see one while swimming please don’t try and touch it – its dorsal fin is venomous. They have pictures and information about the fish and sea creatures you can you can find in the waters at Chowder Bay on a wall in the park which is located in front of the accessible toilets, and if you want to get up close and personal you can even go scuba diving.

The breathtaking view across the still, sparkling water, framed by a jetty

A jetty where you can do a spot of fishing

The jetty where you can do a spot of fishing, great for parents and older children to have a go

information about fish and sea creatures

Information about the fish and sea creatures you can you can find in the waters at Chowder Bay

The waters of Chowder Bay are brimming with marine life like the Eastern Hulafish

BBQ, Picnic or Cafe

For eating and drinking, the park has a BBQ area and lots of sunny and shady spots for a picnic, or nearby check out Ripples Chowder Bay or Drift Chowder Bay.