Beach Resort Guide
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach Beach Resort Guide
Introduction
Best known as Sydney's most notable surf beach, this world-famous 1km (0.6 mile) crescent of sand blessed with rolling surf, sun and thriving beach life captures the very essence of Sydney. Bondi Beach is home to the oldest surf life-saving club in the world, and is both a local and international mecca for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, jogging, beach volleyball and people watching. Bondi Beach is only 7km (4 miles) from central Sydney and is named after an Aboriginal word meaning "noise of water breaking over rocks." One of Sydney's eastern suburbs, Bondi is a thriving resort year round, with surf carnival, topless sunbathing, vibrant nightlife, outdoor film festivals, cafes, shops, and scenic cliff walks.
Who goes there?
Bondi Beach is an international tourist beacon and national icon that draws lovers of sun, sand, surf and fun from around the world. It is also a residential Sydney suburb with a significant population of immigrants from Europe, Russia, Israel and South Africa. The beach lures surfers plus local and international tourists who come to savour Sydney's balmy summers, laze in the sun, or indulge in all the facets of Australia's popular beach culture.
Where in the world?
Bondi Beach is 7km (4 miles) east of Sydney's Central Business District, a 1km- (0.6 mile-) long sandy south-facing beach on Australia's eastern Pacific shore. It is backed by attractive parkland and the residential suburb of Bondi. A coastal walk links it with beach suburbs to the south, and Sydney Harbour and Port Jackson's South Head to the north.
When to go?
The temperate sub-tropical climate allows for outdoor activities year round. Summers are more humid, and winters crisp and cool. Sydney averages 340 days of sunshine a year. The best months for hitting the beach are October to April, when the temperature averages 25°C (77°F).
Beach
Bondi is one of the best surfing locations in the world, and is patrolled by the Bondi Bathers Surf Life Saving Club. There is something for everyone at Bondi - topless bathing, surfing lessons, beach volleyball, safe swimming between the flags, an underwater shark net, and quiet rock pools. The southern end of the beach, where the riptide is strongest, is reserved for surfers. Boogie boards and surf boards can be rented from the Bondi Surf Company. Pods of whales and dolphins may be sighted during migration season. Watch Bondi Icebergs Club members ritually plunge into the icy outdoor pool every Sunday morning throughout winter, or enjoy festivals, theatre, films or craft shows at the Bondi Pavilion. A spectacular coastal walk extends 6km (3.6 miles) southwards from Bondi through several scenic beaches to picturesque Coogee.
Beyond the beach
Sydney is one of the world's most energized cities, with a splendid harbour, extensive waterways, bushland, historic districts, galleries, museums, art, culture, beautiful beaches and a national fervour for outdoor activities, boating and water sports. Spend all day cruising the harbour by ferry or hydrofoil, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge for a view unlike any other, or take in a concert at the Sydney Opera House. Kids will enjoy the Aquarium at Darling Harbour, or a day spent at Taronga Park Zoo where Australia's unique bird and wildlife can be seen up close. Dinner cruises aboard grand old sailing ships depart from the historic convict-era Rocks District. Nearby national parks offer great hiking in semi-tropical rainforests filled with waterfalls and wildlife.
Family fun
Bondi offers surfing lessons for all ages, and safe swimming on life-guarded beaches. Central Sydney is a smorgasboard of family activities. Ride the ferry to Taronga Park Zoo or Manly Fun Park and Oceanworld. Darling Harbour, a short monorail ride from the ferry hub of Circular Quay, showcases marine life at the Sydney Aquarium, tours of submarines and tall ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum, a new Wildlife Centre, IMAX Theatre, and the Harbourside Festival Marketplace.
Retail therapy
Bondi's Campbell Parade runs through town parallel to the beach, lined with restaurants, cafes, bookshops, surf and beach clothing shops, and numerous souvenir stores. The Bondi Surf Company rents surf boards and boogie boards. Coo-ee Aboriginal Art, on Lamrock Avenue, sells Aboriginal artifacts and paintings. The Bondi Markets take over the grounds of the Bondi Beach Public School every Sunday, a fun venue for designer or second-hand clothing, homemade jewellery, arts, crafts and homewares. Serious shoppers can hit central Sydney for some intense retail therapy.
A night on the town
Bondi's Campbell Parade is lively day and night, and its restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs are frequented by tourists and local Sydney-siders. Casual dress is acceptable everywhere. The Bondi Hotel (178 Campbell Parade), a popular pub with several different bar areas, is a rowdy venue for backpackers. A more kick-back beach bar, the Bondi Iceberg Club (1 Notts Avenue) offers great ocean views, inexpensive beer, and live music on Sunday afternoons. The beachfront Bondi Pavilion (Queen Elizabeth Drive) often hosts dance parties, film festivals, theatre and live entertainment.
Eating out
Trendy seafront cafes and restaurants line Bondi's Campbell Parade, many with great ocean views. A cosmopolitan array of eateries offer seafood, vegetarian, Thai, Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean and modern Australian fare. Al fresco dining is popular in this beach-side suburb, and the Paris Cake Shop (91 Bondi Road) offers delicious cakes, pastries and French specialities. The local Australian favourite is fish and chips eaten on the beach to the sound of mewing seagulls soaring on a brisk ocean breeze.
Getting around
Bondi Beach is best explored on foot. A brisk coastal walk with spectacular ocean views links Bondi with its neighbouring beach resorts. The beach and surrounding parkland is popular with cyclists, joggers, roller bladers and skaters. Sydney has excellent public transport, including trains, light rail, extensive bus system, and ferries and hydrofoils that ply all the waterways. All Sydney trains connect with Bondi Junction, and buses feeds into Bondi from Circular Quay or Sydney's CBD. Car hire is readily available.
Exploring further afield
To the west explore Katoomba and the Blue Mountains, cut with deep valleys, waterfalls and fascinating flora and wildlife. Descend into the nearby Jenolan Caves and explore underground rivers and spectacular formations in Australia's most outstanding cave system. Rent a sailboat or cruiser and navigate the beautiful waterways of the Hawkesbury River to the north, or take a flight in a float plane over Pittwater, criss crossed with every imaginable watercraft throughout the long summers. A trip further north to the Hunter Valley wine region holds many delights for sampling some of Australia's award-winning wines.
Splashing out
Time your trip to Bondi for the September Festival of the Winds, and enjoy a beach spectacular of kite flying, music, dance and beach volleyball. Take in a concert at Sydney's famed Opera House, a mere 7km (4 miles) away overlooking Sydney Harbour. Keep your eye out for celebrities at Bondi's legendary Icebergs Dining Room and Bar while sipping on one of their signature cocktails.
Flying in
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD).
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