Bondi Beach, SydneyCredit: Destination NSW
A Summer's day at the Bondi Beach, Sydney.
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Bondi Beach is one of the most famous in the world, and for good reason: glistening blue ocean, a vibrant coastal atmosphere and unique eateries overlooking the coastline. Embark on a coastal stroll, relax into a sauna at one of the suburb’s many wellness studios, dine on seafood by the surf or shop for fresh produce at local markets. Here’s where to eat, stay and play.
Highlights:
- Dine on produce-driven cuisine at buzzy cafes and restaurants
- Swim, surf or stroll along the coastline
- Sleep in beautiful boutique accommodation a stone’s throw from the sand
Start the day right
There’s no shortage of wholesome cafes in Bondi and the suburb has garnered a reputation for its produce-forward mantra. In the morning, locals flock to The Depot for coffee and a bite to eat before their morning swim. While others will pick up an acai or greens bowl from Glory Days at Bondi Pavilion.
In the evening, Promenade offers relaxed yet refined coastal dining from its beachfront spot at the pavilion. Here you can find sustainable, local produce, paired with seafood such as Moreton Bay bugs and freshwater marron, touched by influences from all around the world. For those with a sweet tooth, head to Gelato Messina for a scoop of ice-cream after dinner – it's known for its lavish specials. There’s also Mapo on Campbell Parade, which offers a more traditional, simpler style of gelato.
Visiting on the weekend? Be sure to check out the Bondi Farmers Market, held each Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm on the grounds of Bondi Beach Public School, at the northern end of the beach. Here you can meet local producers, stock up on organic produce and handmade gifts, and enjoy a feast of globally inspired morsels.
Get active
Start the day by saluting the sun with a yoga class overlooking the beach. Join a Yoga by the Sea class of power yoga (more of a cardio workout), or opt for a mellower stretch with its relax yoga class that combines hatha, satyananda and iyengar styles with meditation.
One of the best ways to soak up the salty air and ocean views is on the 6km (one way) Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. On this clifftop trail you’ll walk over sandstone cliffs and past Tamarama and Bronte Beaches, and the iconic Bondi Icebergs. Take a selfie in front of the retro Tamarama Surf Club and have a coffee at Bronte’s Bogey Hole Cafe, named after Bronte’s rockpool. Pack a towel and swim suit – there are plenty of swimming spots along the way.
Those looking to catch a wave can join a two-hour surf lesson with Lets Go Surfing. Choose from private or group lessons with experienced surfing instructors who will run you through the basics of paddling, catching waves and standing. Refuel at Speedos Cafe, on the northern end of the beach, with its Instagrammable menu and scenic backdrop.
Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Small group enjoying a learning to surf experience with Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach.
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Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Small group enjoying a learning to surf experience with Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach.
Drink and dine with a view
Commanding one of the best panoramas over the beach, North Bondi Fish is a lovely spot for a long lunch in the sunshine. Indulge in a selection of Australian seafood, zesty cocktails and stunning views. Sean’s Panaroma is a must-do dining experience in Sydney, with its front-row-seat location on Bondi’s main strip and chic yet quirky dining room – striped linen tablecloths, pendant lights and coastal bric-a-brac all add to the memorable experience. The menu changes daily depending on the catch of the day, and produce is sourced from owner Sean Moran’s Bilpin farm.
A little further down the hill is Lola’s, an Italian bar serving classic Italian dishes, from antipasti to contori, alongside an extensive wine list, all served up with elevated Bondi views (it’s a level up off the ground, overlooking the beach).
For something a little more casual, Bondi Road’s Totti’s offers good wine, wood-fired bread with antipasti and platters of pasta. Snag a spot in the courtyard under the olive trees among fragrant rosemary and order its celebrated dessert: the Neapolitan ice-cream sandwich.
Back on the beachfront, Hotel Ravesis is a great spot for sun-kissed cocktails. This well-known bar features a stunning upper floor terrace, casual dining space and a plush late-night club space. It also offers boutique accommodation upstairs, with Palm Springs-inspired interiors and uninterrupted ocean views.
Rest your head
Immerse yourself in Bondi’s quintessential surf culture in design-led hotel, QT Bondi. The rooms are bright and breezy with a king bed, Bose music dock and rainforest shower. On Hall Street, Adina Apartment Hotel sits among some of Bondi’s most popular eateries, such as Bills, Belles Hot Chicken and Da Orazio. The hotel offers modern studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, a pool and gym.
North Bondi Fish, North Bondi Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying food and drink at North Bondi Fish, North Bondi.
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North Bondi Fish, North Bondi Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying food and drink at North Bondi Fish, North Bondi.
QT Bondi, Sydney Credit: QT Bondi
Your dog will love a fur-friendly stay at QT Bondi.
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QT Bondi, Sydney Credit: QT Bondi
Your dog will love a fur-friendly stay at QT Bondi.
Blue Pool, BermaguiCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic Blue Pool on the Bermagui coastline.
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You’ll find spectacular ocean pools dotted along the southern coastline of New South Wales. These handmade pools, fed by the ocean’s waves, are often built into the rocks near beautiful sandy beaches, can be hidden away along the coastline and are enjoyed mostly by locals. Ocean pools are great for kids learning how to swim, lap swimming and for a dip on the days when the waves are a little too big for your liking. Here’s where to find an ocean pool on the coast south of Sydney.
In the Illawarra
You’ll find many spectacular ocean pools in the Illawarra area, from south of the Royal National Park all the way through to the popular seaside town of Kiama. These include lovely pools at Coledale, Bulli, Towradgi, Port Kembla and North Wollongong.
Take the road through the Royal National Park to Stanwell Park and onto Coalcliff Beach, where the ocean pool is set against a dramatic backdrop of the escarpment.
Nuns Pool, at Flagstaff Point in Wollongong, is one of the oldest in the state, dating back to the 1830s. (The title of oldest ocean pool goes to the Bogey Hole in Newcastle, north of Sydney. It was built by convicts in 1819.) Located below the lighthouse, the Nuns Pool (formerly known as Chain Baths and used by the nuns of St Mary’s convent) sits in a small, sheltered cove and is accessed via a narrow path chiselled into the sandstone.
Further south at Kiama, the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool offers a safe swimming spot near the area’s famous blowhole, the largest in the world, on a headland near the town centre. This beautiful, hand-cut pool is an irregular shape and has a varied depth and rock bottom – it was also once a men-only bath. You can also take the 15-minute walk around Kiama Harbour from the blowhole to Black Beach Reserve. Here you can do 50-metre laps in the Olympic-size Continental Ocean Pool.
A 15-minute drive south of Kiama is the tiny coastal town of Gerringong. Head down to Gerringong’s Werri Beach for a swim at Ourie Ocean Pool, at the southern end of the beach. This rectangular pool, carved into a flat rock shelf, has a smooth concrete bottom and is perfect for a summer’s day dip.
Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
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Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
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Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
From the Illawarra to the Shoalhaven
Drive an hour further south into the Shoalhaven region and seek out Huskisson Sea Pool at Huskisson. This coastal town has a rich shipbuilding heritage, which you can explore at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum after your swim.
A 45-minute drive south of Huskisson brings you to Mollymook, where you’ll find the South Coast’s famous Bogey Hole, a natural rock pool on the headland south of the beach. There’s also a lovely ocean pool at Ulladulla, a five-minute drive further down the coast.
On the Sapphire Coast
One of the state’s most famous ocean pools is found at Bermagui, a little over five hours by car from Sydney, on the Sapphire Coast. Bermagui’s Blue Pool is revered as one of the prettiest, filled with azure-hued water fading to turquoise and green. At 50 metres long it makes for a great lap-swimming pool and there’s also a shallow wading pool, ideal for kids, just next to the pool.
One of the southernmost ocean pools on the NSW coastline is the Aslings Beach Rock Pool, a hidden gem carved into the pink-and-white cliffs at Aslings Beach in Eden, a six-hour drive from Sydney. It’s only a short walk from town, but its low profile makes it hard to spot from further down the beach. Make your way over the rocks from the beach and take a dip at low tide before the waves have a chance to deposit any seaweed.
Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
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Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.
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Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.