Sydney Bondi Beach Travel Guide(2) Coastal Walk: Bondi Beach to Bronte

World Travel Blog & Best Travel Deals

Sydney Bondi Beach Travel Guide(2) Coastal Walk: Bondi Beach to Bronte

iWalk 28 February 2008 No Comment

I feeled so sorry that I had no time to take a real coastal walk at Bondi Beach.
But I am lucky to find this useful Guide about Bondi Beach coastal walk. It’s featured in the Sydney Morning Herald’s ICON magazine in 2001. And still the best guide for Bondi Beach walk today.

There are two scenic walks from Bondi Beach towards the south. These walks offer great views of the sea, you visit popular beaches such as Tamarama and Bronte, and you get to see a number of historic spots.

There are plenty of places along the way where you can stop to admire the views. During the summer these walks are packed with tourists from all over the world.

Sydney Bondi Beach Travel Guide(2) Coastal Walk: Bondi Beach to Bronte

Bondi Beach via coast to Bronte, returning same route. Approximately 2.5 kms (one way). Medium grade, some steep steps. Picnic areas with toilets at Bondi. Picnic areas with barbecue, kiosk and toilets at Tamarama and Bronte. Bus 378 – Bronte Beach to Eastern Suburbs Railway, Bondi Junction.

The walk begins at the Bondi Pavilion. Walk down to the beachside promenade, and continue towards south Bondi.

Points of Interest:

1. Bondi Pavilion: As “surf bathing” gained popularity Waverley Council recognised the need for improved beach facilities. The foundation stone for Bondi Pavilion was laid in 1928. The Pavilion, part of an overall scheme for beach improvements, contained dressing areas for 12,000 people, turkish baths, shops, gymnasium and ballroom. A huge crowd of 200,000 attended the official opening of the Bondi Beach Improvement Scheme. Ceremonies included brass bands, bugle bands and fife and drum bands, aeroplane stunts and a parachute jump. King Neptune landed from a surf boat in front of the Pavilion. There was also a procession led by Life Savers.

2.Surf life saving was started in Australia. The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club was formed in 1906. Both Bondi S.B.L.S.C. and Bronte S.L.S.C. claim to be the world’s oldest surf life saving clubs. North Bondi S.L.S.C. was formed the following year.

On 6th February, 1938, to become known as “Black Sunday”, life savers carried out their most famous rescue operation. Several freak waves swept up onto Bondi Beach dragging beachgoers out into boiling seas. Life savers rescued more than 300 people that day. Five people drowned.

3. The famous Bondi Icebergs Club is above the Bondi Baths at the southern end of the beach. Full club membership can only be attained by swimming 3 Sundays out of 4 from May to September (winter) for 5 years. The club has approximately 600 members. Visitors are welcome.

4. Views from Mackenzies Point south to Maroubra. The sandstone cliffs form part of the Hawkesbury sandstone belt and date back to the Triassic Age 190-225 million years B.C. Surrounding land, known as Mackenzies Waverley Dairy, was used for grazing in the 1880s.

5. Aboriginal rock carvings in Marks Park were regrooved in 1962. Governor Philip, Sydney’s founding Governor noted the Cadigal aboriginal people roamed the land from South Head at the harbour entrance, to Sydney Cove, including today’s Waverley Municipality.

6. Swimming at Mackenzies Bay is dangerous, the beach is not patrolled and there are hidden rocks.

7. Tamarama beach frontage was bought by David Fletcher (later Waverley’s first Mayor) and the headland became known as Fletcher’s Glen. Tamarama’s natural beauty was threatened in 1887 when “The Aquarium” was built, an amusement park offering a variety of displays and entertainment. In 1906 “Wonderland City” straddled the headland. This extravaganza included an airship and miniature railway. Today Tamarama still retains much of its original charm, a small beach used mainly by locals.

8. The walk finishes at North Bronte cliffs.