Bondi Beach, SydneyCredit: Destination NSW
A Summer's day at the Bondi Beach, Sydney.
#feelnewsydney
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. And for those following the latest wellness trends, Harry’s Bondi offers matcha lattes in convenient, stylish cans for an easy grab‑and‑go start to the day.
In the evening, head to Etheus for bold, simple flavours inspired by deep-rooted Greek heritage. Their menu boasts impressive classics such as pork neck souvlaki to fresh delicacies like raw tuna with dakos. With charcoal in the kitchen, a breeze off the sea, and good wine always close at hand, there is no place to settle in for a succulent meal after a day well spent soaking in the beach. 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.
#feelnewsydney
Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Small group enjoying a learning to surf experience with Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach.
Reset and restore
Bondi’s wellness culture runs just as deep as its surf culture, offering restorative spaces for travellers looking to unwind after a morning in the salt air. New to the neighbourhood, Soak Bath House Bondi ushers in contemporary bathing rituals, with sleek communal spaces designed for relaxation, rejuvenation and slow moments in between beach adventures. Similarly, 38 Degrees Bath House provides a tranquil retreat centred around mineral-rich bathing, steam experiences and quiet restoration. Its intimate setting makes it a favourite for those looking to pause and reset within the bustle of Bondi.
A short wander from the shoreline, Nimbus Co Bondi offers infrared sauna sessions that help soothe tired muscles and encourage deep, meditative rest. It’s a calming escape ideal for unwinding after a day of coastal walks and surfing waves.
And if mindful movement is your preferred form of wellness, Sarana offers yoga classes that blend strength, grounding and breathwork. With a focus on mindful sequencing and community, it’s a nurturing place to reconnect before continuing your Bondi explorations.
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.
Tucked away on Warners Avenue, neighbourhood gem Bistro Bondi brings European-style dining to the heart of Bondi. From the team behind Lox In A Box, the restaurant blends continental classics with a relaxed coastal vibe. Expect refined share plates, steak frites, charred prawns in Café de Paris butter.
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.
Just up the road, lyf Bondi offers a fresh, community‑minded option for modern travellers. While not directly on Bondi Beach, its prime position beside Bondi Junction keeps guests close to the sand, the coastal walk and the best of the Eastern Suburbs, all with seamless transport connections and a lively, social atmosphere.
North Bondi Fish, North Bondi Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying food and drink at North Bondi Fish, North Bondi.
#feelnewsydney
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.
#feelnewsydney
QT Bondi, Sydney Credit: QT Bondi
Your dog will love a fur-friendly stay at QT Bondi.
More Inspirational Stories
Sailing, Sydney HarbourCredit: Hugh Stewart; Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day of sailing in Sydney Harbour, Sydney.
Savour incredible fine dining, opulent accommodation with stunning views and highly personalised tours of Sydney‘s buzzing city centre and beautiful harbourside precincts for the ultimate luxury holiday.
Make the day all about you
Feel like royalty when you take to dazzling Sydney Harbour in an opulent vessel. Prepare to be pampered when you step aboard superyacht Ghost 2, one of the largest private charter vessels on the harbour – it sleeps up to 12 in five ensuite staterooms. Or feel the wind in your hair and the sails on a skippered or bareboat yacht charter from Sydney by Sail as you spend the day sailing the harbour, stopping to drop anchor in secluded bays for a refreshing dip.
Be stirred by sails of a different kind when you arrive for a backstage Taste of Opera experience at the Sydney Opera House. Under the iconic building’s white ‘sails’ enjoy a private recital from one of Opera Australia’s talented opera singers, accompanied by a pianist, as part of this exclusive tour.
Express yourself and see the city’s highlights on your own terms with tours specially tailored to your interests. Sydney Privé specialises in private luxury tours and will take care of all the details, including securing your table at top restaurants. Or, absorb the city’s creative energy as art-world insider Jenny Garber leads you around the Sydney art scene on her inART Sydney tours.
Relax, kick back and take in the sights as Ultimately Sydney guides you around the city by boat and luxury car. Or enjoy a change in scenery with a daytrip to the NSW Southern Highlands or a wine tour of the Hunter Valley with AEA Luxury Tours.
For travellers who appreciate luxury both on and off the course, LuxGolf delivers an unparalleled way to experience Sydney’s most exclusive fairways. Enjoy total flexibility with LuxGolf’s exclusive preferred tee times, allowing you to seamlessly weave a world‑class round into your itinerary. From concierge‑level service to immaculate greens normally reserved for members, this is golf at its most elevated.
Sydney’s most iconic culinary experiences
Sydney’s most iconic culinary experiences
Sydney’s dining scene is powered by visionary chefs and next‑level produce. Feast on the best produce from New South Wales as you savour the seven-course degustation with premium wine pairings at Aria, one of the city’s exceptional fine-dining experiences, near the Sydney Opera House in Circular Quay.
For an unforgettable deep dive into Sydney’s most innovative multi‑course dining, book a seat at two of the city’s most boundary‑pushing culinary institutions. In Surry Hills, NEL Restaurant delivers a theatrical 12‑course degustation that evolves every 15 weeks, each menu built around a bold central concept. No two dishes are alike, with every course designed to surprise and delight in the restaurant’s intimate, bunker‑style setting. Over in Paddington, Saint Peter, the pioneering restaurant by Josh Niland, showcases world‑leading scale‑to‑tail craftsmanship across a daily‑changing nine‑course tasting menu. For the ultimate experience, the Chef’s Table offers an exclusive 11‑course journey highlighting the beauty and potential of secondary cuts, redefining what modern seafood dining can be.
Be moved by the views when Sydney by Seaplane flies you to one of several out-of-the-way restaurants for lunch. Relish an incredible only-in-Sydney experience as you fly up the glorious Northern Beaches before landing on sparkling Pittwater. Unleash your inner hedonist at Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, starting in the Champagne Bar before enjoying fresh Sydney rock oysters, caviar and dressed crab from the Oyster Bar.
Or enjoy stunning views of the city at sundown from Bar 83 at Sydney Tower, watching the city lights sparkle through floor-to-ceiling windows as you sip a glass of champagne with share plates of oysters, ocean trout tartare and premium bar nibbles.
And after a memorable dinner, sip an expertly crafted cocktail at Maybe Sammy, a regular on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Or slip into the innovative world of PS40, where the intimate 60‑seat space, designed with an open cellar‑door feel, serves imaginative, boundary‑pushing drinks executed with exceptional finesse.
Ghost 2 Super Yacht, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying drinks and snacks on board the Ghost 2 Super Yacht in Sydney Harbour during sunset.
Ghost 2 Super Yacht, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying drinks and snacks on board the Ghost 2 Super Yacht in Sydney Harbour during sunset.
Sydney Seaplanes, Rose Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Seaplanes in Rose Bay, Sydney
Sydney Seaplanes, Rose Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Seaplanes in Rose Bay, Sydney
Treat yourself
For those seeking deep restoration, Sydney’s wellness scene offers some of the most transformative spa experiences in the country. In Paddington, Venustus has evolved into a quiet wellness institution over the past 30 years, an energetically charged sanctuary founded by Jeannie Bourke, where crystals are woven into the walls, ancient rituals guide each treatment, and every detail is designed to ground, heal and reconnect.
Nearby at The Day Spa by Chuan at The Langham, Sydney, guests can immerse themselves in a world of refined relaxation with rejuvenating facials, massages and body therapies, followed by time in the serene, heated pool room, hot tub and steam rooms.
The journey continues in Paddington and Chatswood at Arisoo Spa, a women‑only Korean bathhouse that blends traditional techniques with modern rituals, beginning with a full‑body exfoliating scrub to stimulate circulation before easing into a soothing massage and herbal soak. For a contemporary take on hydrotherapy, Soak Bathhouse in Alexandria and Bondi Junction offers mineral‑rich pools, steam and cedarwood saunas, plus optional massages, LED facials and Soak & Sip packages for an elevated, restorative escape.
Take the pulse of Sydney’s fashion and design scene in two of Sydney’s most prestigious suburbs, Double Bay and Paddington, just 10 minutes from the city centre. Put yourself in expert hands on a personalised shopping tour with Splendour Tailored Tours as your personal stylist guides you around Double Bay’s best boutiques. Browse Belinda for local and international fashion and salivate at the signature jewellery at Jan Logan. In nearby Paddington, venture into Parlour X for a range of exclusive clothing and must-have accessories from luxury brands.
The Day Spa by Chuan, at The Langham, Sydney Credit: The Langham
Set underground at The Langham, Sydney, The Day Spa by Chuan boasts a 20m heated pool.
#feelnewsydney
The Day Spa by Chuan, at The Langham, Sydney Credit: The Langham
Set underground at The Langham, Sydney, The Day Spa by Chuan boasts a 20m heated pool.
Soak Bathhouse Alexandria Credit: Destination NSW
The 700 square metre bathhouse is one of Soak Bathhouse’s biggest locationsyet, and will feature spectacular state-of-the-art magnesium rich warm mineralpools (34°C), hot spas (38°C), cold plunge pools (12.5°C), dry cedarwood sauna and steam room.
Soak Bathhouse Alexandria Credit: Destination NSW
The 700 square metre bathhouse is one of Soak Bathhouse’s biggest locationsyet, and will feature spectacular state-of-the-art magnesium rich warm mineralpools (34°C), hot spas (38°C), cold plunge pools (12.5°C), dry cedarwood sauna and steam room.
Sleep in sophistication in the heart of the city
Take in sweeping harbour views from the comfort of your suite at one of the five‑star stays in The Rocks and Circular Quay, including the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, InterContinental Sydney, and the ultra‑luxurious Capella Sydney, where heritage architecture meets next‑level contemporary elegance.
For a bold, design‑driven escape, check into the striking W Sydney in Darling Harbour, where its ribbon‑like exterior wraps around vibrant, high‑energy interiors and a standout infinity pool. Stay right on the water at Pier One Sydney Harbour, offering boutique‑style rooms with magical views framed by the Harbour Bridge, perfect for guests seeking a uniquely Sydney waterfront stay.
Shop ‘til you flop onto your plush bed at Kimpton Margot Sydney, an art deco masterpiece with a soaring lobby complete with a restaurant by acclaimed Australian chef Luke Mangan, mere blocks away from fashionable shopping precincts in the heart of the city.
Soak up the neighbouring harbourside precincts of Darling Harbour and Barangaroo at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, which has a stunning infinity pool, and the super-luxurious Crown Towers, the tallest hotel in Sydney, at Crown Sydney.
Crown Sydney, Barangaroo Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a coffee and harbour views from their luxurious Crown Towers hotel suite at Crown Sydney, Barangaroo.
Crown Sydney, Barangaroo Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a coffee and harbour views from their luxurious Crown Towers hotel suite at Crown Sydney, Barangaroo.