Bondi Beach pretending it’s summer, in spring (Click to enlarge)

The big picture

We’re not going to lie, this was always going to be a big one to write up. This place has a bigger than big picture. The cream of Sydney’s crop for travellers and a dream for many Aussie home-buyers, Bondi Beach offers a myriad of venues and activities that will have you stomping with indecisive excitement. Needless to say if you’re a visitor you’ll want to set aside days to really get a feel for this heaving beach suburb located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Known around the globe for its scenic appeal, babes and party atmosphere, it also has its surprises. You may have trouble locating the sand in summer with thousands flocking to its shores but the crowd this spot attracts won’t mind you squishing in. There is nothing like Bondi Beach anywhere else in Australia. Like Baywatch, it’s as much about the people as it is the location and though it doesn’t have a muscle gym like the famous Venice Beach in L.A., there is no shortage of enviable bulges.

Bondi Beach is accessible by car or public transport but plan ahead. If you opt to take public transport, you will need to coordinate trains to Bondi Junction then a bus to the beach. Don’t fear though it’s pretty straight forward.

Find out more about Bondi Beach here.

Any of these will do us just fine

Be bored no more

Drop it like it’s hot… nice wheels!

Rain, hail or shine, Bondi Beach will keep you entertained from morning till night. With a bucket load of activities and events, courtesy of both mother-nature and the burbs inhabitants, it is no wonder this is the most popular tourist beach in Sydney. Luscious babes and sweet rides aside, although both are perfectly valid reasons to go, there is much more to do here than meets the eye. You can do the obvious thing and spend the day on the beach, check out the talent, grab some takeaway from the mass loads of takeaway joints available on the strip. It’s a great way to spend a day here, just be prepared for the crowds in summer. You can also do some amazeball walks from Bondi Beach including the 8km Bondi to Coogee coastal walk that takes you through Tamarama Beach, the stunning Waverley clifftop Cemetery, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, right into Coogee Beach (another gem). For something extra special you must experience the biggest outdoor art exhibition Sculpture by the Sea, held during October-November with displays along the coast from Bondi to Tamarama. Bondi Beach is also home to Sydney’s popular annual City 2 Surf charity run finish, line and the reward is a great big party.

If it’s steaming hot, a good way to stay cool and check that box on your bucket list is to get gnarly dude i.e. learn how to surf, and there is no better place to do it. Bondi surf school Let’s Go Surfing should be able to help you make your dreams come true. For those of you wanting to take the plunge into ocean swimming OceanFit offer private lessons to get you on your way with the English Channel in your sights.

Learn to surf! Just remember to listen out for the shark warning siren!

Like many a fuss pot or shark-phobic, you may prefer the safety of a pool. The Bondi Baths at Bondi Icebergs Club certainly won’t disappoint as far as outdoor beach pools go. This place is schmick (Aussie slang for stylish) and its facilities are top-notch with its doors open to the public at reasonable casual rates.

A little bit exclusive – Bondi Icebergs swimming pool

Everyone is catered for here. The Bondi Beach boardwalk is always jam-packed with super fit skaters and joggers all year round. Bondi Skate Park, situated on the beach is considered one of the best in town with of course the best views and it attracts both young and old. Even Tony Hawk (YouTube) has copped a few grazes here. Shirk your parenting responsibilities for a few hours, bring your kids here if they’re into it, join them even and everybody’s happy! Another craze hitting the boardwalk is Kite Skating where you have a mini parachute that pulls you along on your skates or skateboard. There are no official companies offering this as an experience as yet but stop to chat with one of the crazy folks doing it and you might get lucky. Alternatively, you can try a makeshift parachute using an umbrella but, and here is our disclaimer… we take no responsibility for what might happen to you or anyone else if you do, as we have neither tried or tested the umbrella’s application in this context. Though it sounds like a riot right?!

One for little kids and big kids, smack bang on the beach

Just when you thought there possibly couldn’t be more, the Bondi Surf Pavilion is a multipurpose venue that is host to a number of events all year round including theatre, festivals and workshops as well as art, music, fitness and well-being classes even some for the kiddies. There is a permanent art gallery here too if you feel like soaking up a little local art. A very new and now global phenomenon that started in a wee little town called Melbourne VIC, is the all-ages No Lights No Lycra. Held every Monday night at the pavilion, you can indulge in 1 hour of pure dance to the latest dance tunes minus the heels, drugs and alcohol. It’s like dancing in your bedroom but the sound system is way better and you still stand a chance of meeting some interesting people. It may seem odd but they’ve built it and people are coming… in droves, even hardcore night-clubbers. Go and get your freak on we say!

Perhaps the most important point for all who believe urine attracts sharks, the toilets and change rooms are also located at the pavilion.

The pavilion is crazy busy in summer, you won’t know where to look first

Bondi Beach isn’t bias when it comes to seasons. Unlike most beaches Bondi craves attention all year round, it’s a bit needy like that but so much the better for us. So you won’t miss out on any festivities in winter with Bondi’s Winter Magic that showcases a cocktail of winter beach activities including a winter wonderland ice-skating rink, festivals like the Bondi Feast that sees music, art, comedy and food come together at the pavilion over two awesome weeks and best of all for beach bums… the surf, unlike it’s long gone summer tourists, doesn’t go on hiatus.

Concrete, grass or sand… you choose

Stepping back from the beach itself and a good segue into our juicy food and booze blurb, Bondi Beach has a great market culture with two mainstays, the Bondi Farmers Market and the traditional community type Bondi Markets both held at Bondi Beach Public School located across the road from the beach. Bondi Farmers Market is on every Saturday and boasts the freshest produce direct from the growers including meats. You can spend a good couple of lazy Sunday hours at Bondi Markets browsing new and vintage items including clothing, all things arty farty, jewellery and perhaps pick up something unique for your home. Let’s face it, we all love a good bargain and with this killer location you can stroll up the strip afterwards and continue on with your lazy afternoon in one of the many eateries or bars.

Eat, drink and be merry

Fogo Brazilian Churrasco – OMG the chips!

An absolute nightmare for the indecisive, you will be spoiled for choice at Bondi Beach when it comes to picking somewhere to eat, drink or both. You’re best bet if you’re looking for something casual to eat in the park or on the beach, is to go the classic beach worthy Fish’n’Chips. There are a few joints dotted around the strip so just go to the one where everyone seems to be going. You’ll also find a bunch of other fast food options including a great kebab place for those early morning munchies after a big night out.

A must for visitors and a favourite breakfast, lunch and dinner spot for the locals is Bondi Icebergs Club. In addition to its swim facilities, the club has a couple of snazzy bars with views right across the beach and a bistro that offers a decent selection of food that surpasses the usual bistro standards. This club has a reputation for exclusivity and it would be fair to say that a lot of its clientele come here to feel a little special. Go the extra mile for something more classy at the Icebergs Dining Room.

Views to die for, budgie smugglers and food at Bondi Icebergs Club Bistro

There is a good mix of fancy and casual establishments along the strip to please everyone. A place called Fogo, a Brazilian Churrasco, took our fancy on the day and we weren’t disappointed. Serving Brazilian food with a twist, the meat here will even drive Miss Daisy crazy and you can smash it down with a good South American beer or wine, although their range is rather limited. The South American staff also give this place a touch of authenticity and comfort. Located directly opposite Fogo’s is Hurricane’s Grill & Bar, a steakhouse renowned for its steaks, ribs and seafood grill menu. The atmosphere at Hurricane’s is addictive so we hear, so it’s definitely worth a shot.

Lots to feast on whilst you pick up a ‘kini or smuggler

There are far too many places to mention so here’s a quick list of some of the other popular places most frequented by locals:

The Bucket List: A quirky little place just off the pavilion on the beach serving seafood in buckets and cocktails. We want to try this place!

Speakeasy Bar: This bar has an interesting menu inspired by both Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Paper Planes: Craving Japanese food and Sake? The locals seem to love this unusual modern Japanese establishment.

Bavarian Bier Cafe: With many locations across Sydney this is a hearty favourite for cosy food.

Porch and Parlour: A food and wine bar, their menu is seasonally fresh.

Bondi Hardware: Mentions of this funky little place pop up everywhere. A casual bar that offers an extensive quality food menu from sliders and pizzas to what looks to be delicious almost tapas style share plates.

If you’re not feeling all that fussy, take your three-day growth over to Hotel Bondi. They’ve got a reasonable bistro and fairly cheap drinks. It’s nothing to salivate over but it’ll do the trick. What might get you going though are the views. Located dead centre of the strip, they also offer decent and affordable accommodation, and if you’re lucky enough to score a beachfront apartment, the views alone will have you drooling.

The list does go on and on so check out the web for more ideas or simply take a wander down the strip or talk to the locals who are always more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Bondi Hotel. You will know it by it’s clock tower.

Hot tips

Bondi Beach is the home of many a popular TV series most notably Bondi Rescue. This hot tip is especially for our foreign guests:

For crying out loud swim between the flags and listen to these guys! Oh… and watch your bags!

What more could you ask for? Well wait… there’s more but we don’t want to over-stimulate your senses which is why we have only covered a handful of what this Sydney suburb has to offer. We’ve attempted to bring all the information together in one place for you, so make sure you explore the links to get the most out of Bondi Beach. Get onto it! Bondi Beach cannot be denied its glory, a visit to this suburb of Sydney is a must.

Got the local goss on this suburb? Share it with us via the comments below.

Nearby

Bellevue Hill, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bronte, Coogee, Clovelly, Rose Bay, Tamarama, Watsons Bay, Waverley

Location Map

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