Coogee To Bondi Walk, The Best Coastal Walk In Sydney

The Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk, or more often mentioned as Bondi to Coogee Walk, is probably the very best Sydney attraction. No exaggeration. Even if you only have a few days to spend in Sydney, we recommend dedicating a full day to this breathtaking coastal walkway.

Very few major coastal cities in the world have such a wonderful, unspoilt coastline like Sydney, and the walk from Coogee to Bondi is your way to experience it. It’ll become one of your favorite coastal walks in the world, I guarantee.

Getting from Coogee Beach to Bondi is a 6 km long walk. It follows an esplanade-style walkway that runs parallel to sandy beaches and sandstone cliffs, and it delivers the perfect Sydney experience: views of pretty, turquoise bays, giant waves, dramatic sandstone cliffs, golden sand beaches, handsome surfers and a scenic historical cemetery. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to swim, eat and chill out along the way, and you’ll likely want to move to Sydney at the end of the day (trust me, I know what I’m talking about).

you can’t ever get bored of fantastic Bondi Coogee Walk, even if you live here

So let’s see our super detailed, tried and tested guide to the Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach Walk.

Coogee to Bondi Beach Walk: the quick facts

• Bondi to Coogee Walk distance: 6 km one-way
• Bondi to Coogee Walk time: 2-3 hours one-way (but can be a full day activity if you spend time on the beaches)
• Difficulty: medium
• Facilities: drinking water fountains along the way, toilets, showers, changing rooms, kiosks, cafés and benches at most beaches
• Shade: minimal, so don’t forget about covering up and applying sunscreen
• Best photo spots: Bondi Icebergs viewpoint from Noots Avenue, Mackenzies Point, Tamarama Point, the headland north of Bronte Beach, the cliff tops north of Clovelly Bay, the boardwalk along Waverley Cemetery
• See the Coogee to Bondi Walk map here.

Where to start: Bondi to Coogee or Coogee to Bondi?

While the Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk obviously starts at Bondi Beach, we’d recommend doing it the opposite way, starting from Coogee Beach.

Why? Because Coogee Beach has such an addictive, laid-back vibe! It’s quieter than Bondi, but it still offers nice cafés and breakfast options. Or you can start your day with a picnic on the grass behind Coogee Beach, or have a swim. Also, revealing Bondi Beach only at the end of the walk makes it more exciting, and the views are best when you walk towards Bondi Beach from Mackenzies Point.

But there’s also a practical reason not to start your walk at Bondi: Bondi Beach parking is a nightmare. It’s competitive and expensive. You’ll have much better options for parking at any of the other beaches further south.

However, if you’d like to walk only a shorter section of the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, then Bondi Beach is the place to start. Get there by public transport. Direct buses take you to and from Bondi Junction and Circular Quay to Bondi Beach. (Read on for a much more detailed overview of the parking and public transport options.)

The best stops on the Coogee to Bondi Walk

Overview of the best stops: Coogee Beach, Gordon’s Bay, Clovelly Beach, Bronte Beach, Tamarama Beach, Bondi Beach.

You’ll enjoy spectacular ocean views and pass stunning beaches along the way. Stop at any of them for a swim. Clovelly Beach is the most protected, followed by Coogee Beach. Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, Bronte Beach and Clovelly Beach have protected rock pools where you can swim if ocean conditions are too rough. Except for Gordon’s Bay, all of the beaches have lifeguard service. You’ll also find lovely parks, picnic tables and benches, cafés and kiosks, playgrounds, drinking water fountains and toilet blocks along the way. Most beaches have showers and changing rooms.

Finally, take the bus from Bondi to Coogee Beach. Actually, you need to take two buses, with a change at Bondi Junction. You can get back from Bondi to Coogee in about 40 minutes.

But let’s see what comes first: the best stops along the way!

Coogee Beach

Coogee Beach is an ideal place to start. Don’t hurry too much, because there are awesome things to do in Coogee.

The beach has a calm surf, a spacious green parkland with picnic tables, barbecues and a playground. And it has four ocean pools! McIver Baths is reserved for women and children only, and it’s tucked between two others: Ross Jones Memorial Pool and Wylies Baths. Finally, the fourth one, Giles Baths, is at the northern end of the beach.

The Coogee Pavilion offers a variety of dining options, from wood-fired pizza through burgers and seafood to delicious ice-cream. You find plenty of cafés, fish and chips shops and boutiques along the promenade and Arden Street.

Once you’re ready to start walking, follow the paved path that loops around the headland. An open, grassy park (with benches) overlooks the beach, and it’s one of those sections where it’s worth leaving the maintained walkway to get the best views. Head to Dunningham Reserve, then around the headland. Don’t forget to look back at Coogee Beach either.

At the end of the headland a small boardwalk takes you back to the main track through native banksia scrub, towards Gordon’s Bay.

Gordon’s Bay, the best snorkeling stop

Gordon’s Bay is a narrow beach, lined with fishing boats. It’s popular with divers and snorkelers, because it features a 600 m underwater nature trail. Right, a trail that you complete while snorkeling! (I hope you managed to stuff your snorkeling gear into your day pack for this walk.)

Clovelly Beach

After Gordon’s Bay, the path takes you to another scenic headland, then to Clovelly Beach. Clovelly Bay is very sheltered, the water is usually calm and the waves are gentle. It’s one of the best family-friendly beaches in the Eastern Suburbs, with a small playground, a rock pool, food and amenities.

The promenade runs behind the beach, then you’ll ascend to the next headland. For the most impressive views, leave the paved Bondi to Coogee walk, and carefully walk to the edge of the high cliffs. You’ll enjoy fascinating views of the large waves, rocks and rocky plateaus. You might even catch a glimpse of whales. (We did, and you have a good chance to spot whales from cliff tops in Sydney between May and October.)

Waverley Cemetery

Following the stairs and the boardwalk at the edge of the high cliffs, you’ll be taken to the strangest cemetery you’ve ever seen. Waverley Cemetery is a historical cemetery that overlooks the ocean. The palm trees among the tombs, and the glittering blue water in the background is quite unrealistic and very much unlike the atmosphere I’d expect. It’s colorful, and filled with the sound of the restless ocean.

It’s open to the public, so you can respectfully wander around. Several famous Australians were buried here. Then return to the boardwalk that takes you towards the upcoming headland, and behind it to Bronte Beach.

Bronte Beach

Bronte Beach is one of the prettiest beaches along the walk. I know, it’s a brave thing to say, but wait until you see it for yourself. It’s not the calmest beach though. Facing east and picking up swell from any direction, it’s more for surfers than swimmers. But it offers sheltered water pools.

The Bogey Hole is a natural rock pool at the southern end of Bronte Beach, with a sandy entrance and shallow water. It’s ideal for wading and for small kids to play in the water, especially at low tide.

If you’d like to swim, Bronte Baths is the coolest swimming pool you can find. This ocean-fed lap pool is tucked in beneath the south headland, the large waves crash into it, and it’s free to use!

Bronte Park, a lovely parkland, connects to Bronte Beach where you find picnic shelters, free electric barbecues, a shaded playground and even a small children’s railway (it operates on weekends and during public and school holidays).

We mention the free electric barbecues as a specialty, but they’re quite common in Sydney parks, and in many other Australian cities and towns. People use them, clean them and enjoy them year-round. We’ve never seen anything like them in other public parks in the world. They’re truly Australian. 

Tamarama Beach

Another picturesque headland later, you’re at Tamarama Beach. It’s a very short walk from Bronte Beach, and the small turquoise bay is unique and stunning, even after all the beautiful beaches you’ve already seen. It has strong currents, so make sure to stay between the flags if you venture into the water. (Who could resist that unbelievably turquoise water?) There are dedicated areas for surfing and swimming.

Tamarama Beach is surrounded by parklands, a playground, a cafe, barbecue area and a well-equipped amenities block.

As the stairs take you further, you’ll find yourself on the most fabulous headland. Tamarama Point and Mackenzies Point both offer stunning views of Tamarama Bay and the rocky coastline, and they’re among our eternal favorites on the Coogee to Bondi walk.

Bondi Beach

You’ll have your first glimpse of Bondi Beach from Mackenzies Point. Then the last stretch of the walkway leads you along Squid Bay and finally takes you down to Australia’s most famous beach, the emblem of Sydney’s laid-back beach lifestyle. You bet there’s plenty of fun things to do in Bondi.

Enjoy swimming or sunbathing, try out a body board, take surfing lessons and find beachside cafes and restaurants with great views. Or simply stroll in the golden sand, with the waves crashing at your feet.

Sign up for a 2 hour surf experience at Bondi Beach here.

Bondi Beach is home to one of Australia’s oldest swimming clubs, the Bondi Icebergs. You’ll get the best views of the Icebergs from Notts Ave. If you’d love to swim there, you need to pay an entrance fee (it’s one of those rare Sydney ocean pools), but you find a spacious lap pool and a kids’ pool, as well.

There’s another shallow rock pool for children at the northern end of Bondi Beach: the North Bondi Children’s Pool. This one is free, and there’s a small playground above it, in Biddigal Reserve. A larger playground is located near the Bondi Pavilion.

Shorter variations of the Bondi to Coogee Walk

Bondi to Bronte Walk

Quick facts:

• How long is the Bondi to Bronte Walk: 2.5 km one-way
• Recommended starting point: Bondi Beach
• Main attractions: Bondi Beach, Mackenzies Point, Tamarama Point, Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach

The Coogee Bondi Walk is absolutely worth doing all the way. But if you don’t have the time, do the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk, which is a ~2.5 km portion of the iconic walkway.

Though it’s hard to choose the most picturesque section of such a fabulous coastal walk, you can’t go wrong with the Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach walk. It includes the prettiest beaches, Bronte and Tamarama, the most scenic headland, and I bet you wouldn’t miss Bondi Beach when visiting Sydney, anyway.

Bondi to Tamarama Walk

Quick facts:

• Bondi to Tamarama Walk distance: 1.2 km one-way
• Recommended starting point: Bondi Beach
• Main attractions: Bondi Beach, Mackenzies Point, Tamarama Point, Tamarama Beach

The spring highlight of the short Bondi to Tamarama Walk is the Sculpture by the Sea. This annual sculpture exhibition lasts for three weeks (around October-November), and you’ll see over 100 sculptures on the spectacular outdoor stage. Tamarama Beach itself turns into an open air sculpture gallery, and you’ll bump into sculptures all around the headland and all the way to Bondi Beach.

If you have the time, we highly recommend continuing from Tamarama Beach to Bronte Beach though. It adds only a few hundred meters, the terrain is easy, the views are great, and you can experience another unforgettable stop on this epic coastal walkway.

Bondi to Clovelly Walk

Quick facts:

• Bondi to Clovelly Walk distance: 4.2 km one-way (from Notts Ave to Bundock Park – see the map here)
• Recommended starting point: Clovelly Beach
• Main attractions: Bondi Beach, Mackenzies Point, Tamarama Point, Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Waverley Cemetery, Shark Point, Clovelly Beach

The Bondi to Clovelly Walk is yet another shorter version of the famous walkway (though only a bit shorter than the original route). We usually start it from Clovelly Beach, because it offers the easiest parking options along the Bondi to Coogee route. The choice is yours: you can walk from Clovelly to Coogee Beach (a very short walk), or from Clovelly to Bronte or Bondi Beach.

Coogee to Bondi Walk parking

Let’s talk about parking then. Sigh. The popular Eastern Suburbs beaches don’t offer the most convenient (nor the most affordable) parking options.

Bondi Beach is easy enough to access from the city center by public transport, and that’s what we recommend. Parking is too much of a hassle – and it’s very expensive. But you might be in a situation when driving is your best option. You’re either on a road trip, briefly stopping in Sydney, you’re staying in one of the outer neighborhoods, or you simply want to save time and park as close to your destination as possible.

Bondi Beach parking

While the best way to get to Bondi Beach is by public transit (and living in Sydney, we routinely avoid parking at Bondi), we aim to give you a good overview of the options and the Bondi Beach parking fees.

There’s paid metered parking (from 8 AUD per hour) right by the beach, but you can guess your chances to grab a spot there on a nice day. The residential streets surrounding the beach are likely time limited (for 1 or 2 hours), even if they’re free – and don’t count on not being noticed if you stay longer.

You need to park quite a distance back from Bondi Beach to find free, untimed street parking. There’s a tiny, free car park located on the headland north of Bondi Beach, but it’s likely busy, and it’s more than a kilometer away from the southern end of the beach and the Icebergs. So plan ahead, and head to one of the carparks.

Wilsons Parking is located at 152 Curlewis Street, just behind Bondi Beach. It can be expensive – about 60 AUD for a full day -, and there’s no Early Bird discounts available anymore. Booking it online in advance will make it a bit (just a bit) less expensive. But it’s as close to the beach and Bondi Pavilion as you can get.

Wilsons Parking has another location: The Hub Shopping Centre Car Park, located at 61-79 Hall Street (entry via O’Brien St). It’s a few blocks away from Bondi Beach. The first hour is free, and full day parking is about 36 AUD (might be a bit less on the weekend).

Coogee Beach parking

Parking at Coogee Beach is somewhat easier than at Bondi, but you need to do some research and have some luck.

There’s a metered car park in front of Coogee Pavilion (at the northern end of the beach). Crown Plaza Hotel offers parking for non-guests, as well, but it’s subject to availability. Coogee Bay Village at 196 Coogee Bay Road has casual parking for 30 AUD per day.

You can even find free on-street parking, though not directly at the beach, rather 10-15 minutes walk away. Start your search along Brook Street, just behind the oval, Carrington Road or Dolphin Street.

Clovelly Beach parking

Clovelly Beach has a large, free parking lot (limited to 4 hours though), and you find free on-street parking in the streets behind the beach. Drive along Clovelly Road and check the side streets.

Getting to the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk by public transport

All beaches along the Bondi to Coogee Walk are serviced by buses. From the city center, you can either take a bus all the way to Bondi, Bronte or Coogee, or take the train to Bondi Junction, then switch to a bus for the rest of the way. Surprising or not, the train and bus combo is actually quicker.

Bondi Beach is served by buses 333, 380, 389, and they depart from Circular Quay (but you can also get on at Bondi Junction). Buses 373 and 374 take you to Coogee from Circular Quay. You can get to Tamarama Beach by bus 381 from Bondi Junction.

There’s service between the beaches, too, you’ll need two buses (and about 40 minutes) to get back from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach, changing at Bondi Junction.

Use the Transport NSW planner to see all available routes and schedules.