A local guide to Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk is one of Sydney’s most iconic walks. Amidst beautiful beaches and cliff tops, this 6kms walk can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although it takes around 2- 4 hours to complete the walk, you can invest one whole day to undertake this coastal walk and enjoy the scenic views en route. The mesmerizing coastal walk is an ideal item to add to your 3 days in Sydney itinerary as well.
This urban beach walk can be the best way to explore the beautiful coastline of Sydney’s suburbs. So, stick with us (Sydney Top Tours) to learn more about it.
Starting point and endpoint of Bondi to Coogee Beach walk
You can start your journey from Bondi and walk towards Coogee. The walk is quite easy and can be undertaken even by novice hikers. That being said, there are stairs and elevations on the way, which may require a slower pace from people who are not regular hikers or trekkers.
| Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk | |
| Distance | 6 km (one way) |
| Time to cover | 2-4 Hours (on average) |
| Grade/ Difficulty level | Easy- Medium |
The whole coastal walk can be broken into 4 parts:
- Bondi to Tamarama
- Tamarama to Bronte
- Bronte to Clovelly
- Clovelly to Coogee
Figure 1: Bondi to Coogee Walking Map
Bondi to Tamarama
Bondi is an eclectic place, an amalgamation point of colourful people, murals, a white sandy beach, cafes, and more. Take a sunbath on the beach or just stroll along the coastline, Bondi Beach will mesmerize you for sure.
You can start with surfing and move towards the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Pool. It is one of the most photographed swimming pools in Australia. If you visit here during the winter months, you can even spot humpback whales from this vantage point.
From the Icebergs Swimming Pool continue walking towards Notts Avenue, along the coastal line to leave the Bondi Beach behind. Keep admiring the incredible view behind you while you reach the Mackenzies Point, from where Tamarama and Bronte beaches appear on the horizon.
Bondi to Tamara– Approx. 1.2 km
Time taken– Around 25 minutes (breaks not included)
Tamarama to Bronte
You can take a break and unwind yourself at Tamarama Beach. After getting soaked in the beauty of Tamarama Beach, continue to walk towards Bronte Beach. The pedestrian path along the main road will lead you to Bronte Beach. It is one of the shortest and easiest walks to undertake in the Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk.
Once you reach Bronte Beach, cross it to head towards Bronte Road. Here, you can take a break and have some lunch or snacks at any of the restaurants along the side of the road. You can also visit Bronte Beach Park before you embark on your further journey to Coogee Beach.
Tamarama to Bronte– Approx. 700 meters
Time taken– Around 5- 7 minutes (breaks not included)
Bronte to Clovelly
After getting charged up, head towards Clovelly, the longest section of the walk. To reach Clovelly, walk along Calga Pl and follow the bends to walk along the coastal line. Head down onto the boardwalk and from there to the Waverley Cemetery and the Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club, before reaching Clovelly Beach.
Bronte to Clovelly– Approx. 2.2 km
Time taken– Around 50 minutes (breaks not included)
Clovelly to Coogee
Start from the Clovelly Beach towards Gordons Bay. As you walk and exit Gordons Bay, you will arrive at a Dunningham Reserve on the northern headland of Coogee Beach. Here, you can take a break and visit the Dolphin Point, Giles Bath, and Bali Memorial.
After spending some time at the Dunningham Reserve, you can walk across Coogee Beach and complete your Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk. Relax and unwind at Goldstein Reserve, the park behind the beach to celebrate the end of the coastal walk.
Clovelly to Coogee– Approx. 1.8 km
Time taken– Around 45 minutes (breaks not included)
Bondi to Coogee walk’s economic impact to local tourism
We have already mentioned that Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk is one of the most iconic suburb coastal walks in Sydney. So, more and more tourists get attracted to this, which pumps millions of dollars into the local economy.
As per the latest information given by the Waverly Council, this coastal walk brings around 8000 tourists a day. Based on the in-flow of tourists, the Council has estimated that a minimum expense of $10 per visitor could make up to $80,000 a week and almost $29 million annually.
The Council has recently started to trap the benefit of this popular coastal walk on the local economy, and there is a long way to explore more. This positive economic impact is likely to boost the local tourism sector, along with the development of more facilities for the visitors, including accommodation options, cafes, restaurants, and so on.
How to get there?
Bondi beach is not foreign to the visitors visiting Sydney. So, if you are planning to undertake the Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk, you can reach Bondi in the following ways.
You can take a train or bus to Bondi, and it is recommended, as there is a lack of parking space in Bondi.
By train– You can catch a train from Circular Quay and Central to Bondi Junction. From there you have the option of taking local bus lines or walking about 25 minutes to the beach.
By bus– You can take the 380 bus from Sydney to Bondi Beach.
By rental car– Alternatively, you can take the service of the rental car to self-drive to Bondi. Bondi’s two paid parking areas lay along Campbell Parade, and generally remain busy and filled up. Also, the beach parking is expensive and can cost $5 an hour. To try to get free parking, you can head towards the Bondi Lawn Bowling Club.
After reaching Bondi Beach, you can embark on your pedestal journey towards Coogee Beach.
Is the Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk kids friendly?
The coastal walk is fairly easy, and if you have young kids you can take them along. That being said, it is recommended to slow down your walking pace and take more relaxed walks if you have kids along with you.
- Pram– It is not recommended to take babies or prams on this walk. As we have said before, there are stairs and elevations on the way, which may make it difficult for you to operate the pram. However, the promenade areas are plain and suitable for a pram.
- Toilets– Yes, you will find the facilities of toilets on every beach, café, and restaurant.
- Drinking water– There are plenty of water fountains to fill your bottles and drink water on every beach.
- Cafes and restaurants– This coastal walk is dotted with plenty of cafes and restaurants, where you can take breaks, have snacks or lunch and unwind with your kids along. Some popular eateries here are
Things to do on this coastal walk
Try local cuisine
Totti’s Italian
If you want to try Italian cuisine with a great view, you can head towards Totti’s on Bondi Beach. This is a casual Italian eatery where you can enjoy simple yet delicious Italian fare in a contemporary setting.
Location: 283 Bondi Rd, Bondi NSW 2026, Australia
Open Hours: Monday to Saturday: 12 pm- 10 pm
Sunday: 12 pm- 9pm
Specialty: Woodburn bread, Antipasto, Tiramisu, and the Neopolitan ice-cream sandwich
Contact: +61 2 9114 7371
Menu: Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Non- vegetarian
Sefa Kitchen
If you are craving Middle Eastern cuisine with some amazing cocktail options, Sefa Kitchen is for you. Here you can try slow-cooked lamb and chicken accompanied with Northern African dips, and house pickles. This place has the specialty to serve ancient Levantine food in a cosy and relaxing ambiance.
Location: 292 Bondi Rd, Bondi
Open Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 5 pm- 8 pm
Specialty: Levantine food
Contact: +61 2 8068 6461
Menu: the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Israeli
Surf at Bondi Beach
After you reach Bondi Beach, the foremost thing you can do is to go surfing. Don’t worry if you are not an expert, as anyone can surf the waves of Bondi. Not only this, but here you can also learn the surfing etiquettes as well. The best time to surf at Bondi Beach is during Winter- mostly in July – when the waves remain clean and consistent with favourable off-shore winds.
What you would need to do is enroll in a surf school at Bondi Beach and you will be ready to surf in one of the world’s most iconic beaches. Do not forget to follow the surfing rules to avoid any accidents.
Spot Bondi Penguins
On your Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk, you can spot Penguins as well. The best time to spot penguins here is between May and February. During this time of the year, the penguins forage for food throughout Sydney Harbour, and you can see them in Bondi Beach as well.
See Aboriginal rock carvings south of McKenzies Point
When in Bondi, it is recommended that you visit McKenzies Point and spend some time there exploring the beauty of the Aboriginal rock cravings. The rock carvings date back to 3000- 4000 BC and feature simple rock art engravings depicting fishes, whales, sea turtles, accounts of shark attacks, and so on. One of the most eye-catching rock art at Mckenzies Point is of a large whale above the cliffs.
Is the Bondi to Coogee walk is pet-friendly?
Not only you, but your pet dog can also enjoy this iconic Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk. So, if you are looking forward to taking your dog on this coastal walk, then you are most welcome. That being said, your dog must be on a leash while undertaking the walk. However, you cannot take your dog to any of the beaches or into the adjoining parks.
Best vantage points
Gordons Bay – fishing boats
Gordons Bay is located south of Clovelly Beach and is one of the most popular vantage points on the way to Coogee Beach. You can access the bay via the surrounding streets or the Cliffbrook Parade Coastal Walk. Only open for pedestrians, this vantage point is protected by an offshore reef and is a popular diving point as well.
Here you can undertake self-guided scuba diving or snorkelling at the Gordons Bay Underwater Nature Trail. It takes around 40 minutes to dive the 600-meter train underwater. However, if you are interested in an
Bondi Icebergs
Along the route of Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk, there comes Bondi Icebergs- one of the most photographed swimming pools in Australia. You can choose to stand at the high point to get a panoramic view of the surrounding place and click some amazing snaps. If visiting during the winter months, you can be lucky to spot humpback whales from this vantage point.
If you love swimming, you can visit the swimming club and enter there against a small entry fee- adults: $9; children under 12 and senior cardholders: $6.
BBQ and picnic spots along the coastal walk
Tamarama Park
You can take a break from your coastal walk on your day trip from Sydney and get indulged in BBQ and picnicking at Tamarama Park. The park has picnic spots with lawns and shades.
Location: Tamarama Marine Drive
Open hours: 24 hours
Facilities: BBQs, Play equipment, Parking, Kiosks, Toilet, Pool, Shelter
Contact: +61 2 9083 8925
Bronte Park
Bronte Park is a great spot to visit with your loved ones and spend some time picnicking amidst greenery. Take a break from the busy life and unwind here with a great view.
- Location: East end of Bronte Rd
- Open hours: 24 hours
- Facilities: BBQs, Play equipment, Parking, Kiosks, Toilet, Pool, Shelter
- Contact: +61 2 9083 8000
Alternatives to this – Bondi to Maroubra
Undoubtedly, Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk is one of the most iconic, but if you love something offbeat, you can spend some extra km to reach Maroubra Beach walk. The walk is only 24 km long and can be covered within 3 hours (approx.).
The trail is dotted with beautiful views and features mesmerizing wildflowers. The difficulty level ranges from easy to medium and is good for all skill levels. After reaching Coogee from Bondi, you can continue another hour and a half to reach Maroubra Beach (4.9 km from Coogee).
The whole coastal walk can be broken into 4 parts from Coogee Beach:
- Coogee to Ivor Rockpool
- Ivor Rockpool to Mistral Point
- Mistral Point to Mahon Pool
- Mahol Pool to Maroubra Beach
Distance: 12 km (Bondi to Maroubra)
Time taken: Approx. 3 hours
Pets: Dogs on Leash are allowed
Facilities: Kids friendly, Toilets, Kiosks, Changing Rooms, BBQs
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