Bondi Beach

For some people Bondi Beach is more than a beach – it is a lifestyle… it could be a lifestyle based on surfing or just on living in a relaxed, vibrant, trendy suburb by the sea. Locals can seem a bit blasé to the scenic wonder of Bondi Beach – it is their ‘backyard’ – but for many visitors the golden sands, blue ocean and well-formed waves make it one of Sydney’s top attractions.

The surf will entice, especially in summer but there’s more to the beach than surf, swimming and sunbaking. There’s great shopping, dining and people-watching just the other side of Campbell Parade, there are delightful coastal walks and at night the place has a welcoming buzz. And, just up Military Road, is a wonderful little golf course (eight Par 3 holes and one Par 4) – enjoy the sky, the cliffs, the sea, the Aboriginal rock carvings (5^th hole) and the course/clubhouse. It’s also a great spot for whale watching between May and November.

Back to the sand and surf… Bondi Beach is fabulous for a wander or a swim (make sure you swim between the flags!) and is a good surfing beach for novices and experienced surfers. If you are visiting and want to have a crack at getting out on a wave and up on a board, there are excellent surf schools that offer lessons all year round. There are protected areas for learners (the more experienced head to the southern end of the beach). Here is a link toLet’s Go Surfing.

There are many fabulous restaurants, bars, cafés and coffee shops for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Campbell Parade is also, naturally, home to a number of swimwear shops. On Saturdays you can enjoy the Bondi Farmers’ Market and on Sunday mornings there are the Bondi Markets. Any day is a good day to enjoy the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk and it is especially rewarding in spring when ‘Sculpture by the Sea happens. The walk is 6km (allow an hour or two) and it starts next to the Bondi Icebergs (just above the swimming baths). It is very scenic with more beaches at Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee.

Getting to Bondi Beach is easy – it is only about 20 minutes (7km) from the CBD by car. The downside to driving is getting a good parking spot. Parking inspectors patrol the streets (there are parking meters and time limits for non-residents) and privately owned car parks can cost as much as a taxi for a five hour stay. A taxi from the city will cost around $30 to $40 or you could hop a train to Bondi Junction, then take a taxi or bus to the beach.

The easiest bus to hop all the way is the 380 or 333 – destinations may show as Bondi Beach, Dover Heights, Watsons Bay or North Bondi but they all go to the beach. The route starts at Circular Quay and goes along Elizabeth Street next to Hyde Park, then left into Liverpool Street, up Oxford Street and on through Paddington and Bondi Junction.