Balmoral is known for abundant shade, white sand and excellent vistas of middle harbour. But it’s also home to two of the city’s most notable harbourside venues.

The heritage-listed Balmoral Bathers on the north is an art-deco gem with mediterranean airs, where Mosman locals visit for fine-dining and rooftop champagne-sipping. At the southern end, the institutional Balmoral Boathouse does solid coffee, snacks and fish and chips.

But families flock to its soft sand and shade as an all-bases-covered picnic spot. It’s middle-harbour positioning keeps it sheltered from wind and big waves, plus there’s plenty of foreshore trails to explore.