Tidal asymmetry plays a pivotal role in the transport of sediment and morphological change in shallow inlet/estuarine systems, particularly those with extensive tidal flats and channels. This study examined tidal circulation patterns of a shallow and well-mixed estuary on the central coast of New South Wales, Australia. A numerical modelling study was carried out by applying a depth-averaged flow model (MIKE 21 HD). The model was calibrated and successfully validated against recently acquired hydrodynamic data. Model results reveal the presence of a number of eddies within the estuary, which may have substantial influence on net sediment transport when combined with wave effects. Tidal phase duration and magnitude asymmetries indicate that, in contrast to typical flood/ebb dominance, double ebb-dominance is in deep channels and the entrance cross-section, whereas the flood ramp area shows double flood-dominance. The implications of tidal asymmetry on net bed-load sediment transport were inferred from the duration and magnitude asymmetries of the above threshold velocity. The ebb-directed net transport occurs at main tidal channels and may result in further deepening channels, whereas a flood-directed net transport in the flood ramp area may cause an accumulation of sediment on the delta or a landward progradation of the tidal flat. The present-day estuary is characterised as ebb-dominated, tends to flush bed-load sediment seaward more effectively and may represent more stable geometries.