The Bondi to Coogee walk - Sofia Hotel Reservation

Sydney has numerous beautiful coastal trails, but one of the most popular is the Bondi to Coogee walk, between two of Sydney’s most popular Eastern beaches. The route skirts the clifftop and rocky shoreline, passing a string of lovely beaches, with stunning views as each bay unfolds. It’s a chance to enjoy the scenery with numerous opportunities for a swim or coffee along the way.

Bondi to Clovelly walk, Sydney, Australia

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Note: The trail gets especially busy at weekends when the weather is good. If you prefer to avoid the weekend crowds, try to walk on a weekday, or in the cooler months, or otherwise choose one of the many other lovely but less known coastal paths around Sydney for a walk.

Essentials of the Bondi to Coogee walk

A scenic coastal walk between two of Sydney’s most popular Eastern beaches
Takes around 1.5-2 hours to walk one way with no stops. However allow 2-3 hours to include swims, cafe stops and photos along the way.
Length (Bondi to Coogee) is around 6 km / 3.7 miles
It can be walked in either direction, but most people start in Bondi beach
You can return on the same coastal path, or take a bus back to the start via Bondi junction (allow 1 hr)
There are numerous public toilets, water fountains and cafes along the route – you won’t go more than 30 mins without finding these facilities at a beach or park.
In hot weather make sure you carry water, wear a hat and sunscreen.

Map of the Bondi to Coogee Walk

Below is a map of the Bondi to Coogee walk, showing the key places you’ll visit. At the end of this article there’s also a more detailed interactive map that can be viewed in Google Maps, showing beaches, cafes and bus stops.

Start the walk at Bondi Beach

Most visitors will start the walk at Bondi, although it’s totally possible to do it in the opposite direction. A few highlights of Bondi beach that you might want to enjoy, either at the beginning or end of the walk include;

Swim between the flags – Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Chill out, sunbathe, swim and people watch on the broad expanse of sand at Bondi Beach. Be aware of the strength of the waves (this is a popular surfer’s beach) and only swim between the red and yellow flags that are surveyed by lifeguards.

Swim at Icebergs – Bondi’s famous ocean pool is located at the south end of the beach and is a good place to swim if you find the crashing surf a little too challenging.

Visit the Pavillion – this seafront pavilion from the 1930s has been fully renovated as a cafe, arts and community hub.

Brunch on Bondi beach – Australians love coffee culture and brunch is an art form. To brunch like a local, head to Speedo’s or The Depot, both at the north end of the beach, or hang out in the beach cafes at the pavilion (Glory Days and Surfish)

Cafes at The Pavilion on Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Check out the murals along the beach – The wall backing the south end of the beach promenade has a series of murals, many with a beach theme.

Shopping around Campbell Parade – Many top swimwear and fashion brands have branches at Bondi Beach.

Lifeguard mosaics Campbells Parade, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Hang out at the Bondi weekend market – it’s held at Bondi Beach Public School, with Saturday for food stalls and farmer’s market and Sunday for crafts and vintage.

Bondi Beach Murals, Sydney, Australia

Icebergs Pool

Having spent a while enjoying Bondi Beach, head to the southern end of the beach at the Icebergs Pool. The seawater pool is named after the Icebergs swimming club who swim each Sunday, whatever the weather.

The pool is also open to the public (cost is 10 AUD / around £5 or $6 ) and you’ll also get some great views of the surfers from this viewpoint. Follow the walkway running above the pool for a photo viewpoint, then continue southwards for the start of the walk.

Icebergs, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia © Heatheronhertravels.com

Bondi Icebergs to Tamarama Bay

The Bondi to Coogee walk now takes you down to the rocky shore, following the line of Squid Bay then up again to the grassy headland at St Mark’s Park.

Tamaramara Point – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

On the edge of the cliff is the Mackenzie Point Lookout, which is a favourite spot for whale watching. Between May and July the humpback whales can be seen hugging the shore, as they make their northern migration. There’s a sculpture “An Epic Journey” with an explanation of the migration patterns near the viewpoint.

Mackenzie Point Lookout – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney

As the path skirts the headland, it follows Mackenzies Bay and brings you round to Tamarama Point. This is a great spot for photos, overlooking the surfers on Tamarama Beach below and admiring the rugged shoreline to the south. Tamarama Beach offers rolling surf, with a stretch of sand backed by grass and a cafe tucked into the southern sea wall.

Timings: Bondi Iceberg Pool to Tamarama Beach – 30 mins

Tamarama Beach – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

Bronte Beach

While you may be tempted to take a break at Tamarama Beach, my recommendation is that you continue to Bronte Beach, which is the next bay on the walk. A few reasons that you might want to take a break here include;

Bronte Beach – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

A broad sandy bay at Bronte Beach, with plenty of space to sunbathe, although remember to only swim between the flags where there are lifeguards.

Behind the beach is the large green space of Bronte Park, an ideal place for a picnic with wooden picnic booths and shady areas under the trees. There’s a beach kiosk serving drinks and a children’s playground.

As the surf can be a bit intimidating, have a swim in the large Bronte rockpool at the southern end of the beach, or the Bronte Baths, an outdoor seawater swimming pool, which is free to use.

Bronte Beach rockpool – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

If you’re ready for brunch or lunch, head to the row of cafes and restaurants on Bronte Road.

There’s a walk through Bronte Park, under the trees along Bronte Gully to a small cascade, which was part of the ornamental gardens of Bronte House Estate.

Bronte Beach – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

On the slopes above the gully is Bronte House, a gothic style country house built in the 1840s, which is now used as a private residence and can only be visited on certain heritage open days. You can just catch a glimpse of it from the road.

Timings: Tamara Beach to Bronte Beach – 15 mins

Waverley Cemetery

Continuing the walk from the southern end of Bronte Beach, the path follows the road for a short distance with the views obscured by rocks. Soon you reach the Calga Reserve where the coastal boardwalk zig zags along the edge of the cliff.

Waverley Cemetery – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

It’s an incongruous sight to pass the large Waverley Cemetery set on the clifftop, where many of Sydney’s notable residents have been buried since the 19th century. If you want to take a short detour, you can wander through the cemetery among the gravestones to admire some of the ornate marble monuments.

Timings: Bronte Beach to Waverley Cemetery lookout – 10 mins

Clovelly Bay

After passing the cemetery, the path flattens out past Clovelly Bowling Club and brings to to a viewpoint looking down over Clovelly Bay. The bay forms a deep inlet into the coastline, which makes it a good spot for sea swimming, since a large part of inlet is protected from the surf.

Clovelly Beach – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

The sides of the inlet are re-enforced by flat concrete where swimmers like to sunbathe, although there is also a small sandy beach. A pleasant restaurant Seasalt Clovelly perches on the side of the cliff overlooking the bay, and there’s an ocean swimming pool.

Timings: Waverley Cemetery lookout to Clovelly Beach – 15 mins

Clovelly Beach – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

Gordon’s Bay

After passing the cafe and car park on the south side of Clovelly Bay, the path now brings you around the headland and skirts around Gordon’s Bay. There’s only a small area of sand here, but many people like to sunbathe and swim from the rocks, as the sea is clear and protected.

Gordons Bay – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

Continue out of Gordon’s Bay through a grassy park until you come onto the headland overlooking Coogee Bay. It’s one of the largest and most popular Sydney beaches in the Eastern Suburbs.

Gordons Bay – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney © Heatheronhertravels.com

The water here tends to be calmer than Bondi beach, due to the protection from Wedding Cake Island in the bay. Our walk ends here, but there’s plenty enjoy before you make the return trip to Bondi or central Sydney.

Timings: Clovelly Beach to Coogee Beach – 20-30 mins

Coogee Beach

Things to enjoy on Coogee Beach include;

A broad stretch of sand for sunbathing and calm water for swimming, although remember to swim in the areas between the flags surveyed by lifeguards.

Giles Baths at Coogee Beach – Bondi to Coogee walk Sydney

There are a number of more protected seawater swimming pools. At the northern headland is Giles Baths, while on the southern side of the bay are the Ross Jones Rockpool (by the Life Saving Club), McIver’s Ladies Baths (Women and children only) and Wylie’s Baths. These pools are next to the sea and fed by seawater, so in bad weather they may be too rough to swim.

If you fancy brunch or other refreshments, there are some nice restaurants and cafes in and around the Coogee Pavilion on the north end of the beach, or around Arden St / Beach St on the southern end of the bay.

The bus stops to return to Bondi Junction are on Arden Street, right behind Coogee Beach.

If you want to extend your walk by another hour or two, you can continue your coastal walk south to Maroubra Beach.

Detailed Map of the Sydney – Bondi to Coogee Walk

Click on this link or on the image below to access the interactive Google Map, showing all the places mentioned in this article.

Getting to Bondi Beach

Bondi Junction is a major transport hub with bus connections to the Eastern beaches such as Bondi, Clovelly and Coogee, as well as into the centre of Sydney. Note that Bondi Junction is 15-20 mins by bus from Bondi Beach (they are not the same place!)

Bus to Bondi Beach: From central Sydney (Circular Quay or Martin Place) take the 333 bus all the way to Bondi Beach. Journey time around 40 mins.

Train + Bus to Bondi Beach: From central Sydney (Martin Place, Town Hall or Central stations) take the T4 train line to Bondi Junction. From Bondi Junction bus station (right above the train station) take the 333 or 380 bus to Bondi Beach. Journey time 45-60 mins.

North Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Transport to / from other Eastern beaches

Buses from the Eastern beaches connect via Bondi Junction and from there you can change to a bus / train to Sydney centre or to Bondi Beach. If you get stuck, the best bet is to call a taxi via the Uber app.

Bronte Beach – The 379 runs regularly between Bronte Beach Terminus and Bondi Junction bus station.

Clovelly Beach – Take the 339 bus and change at Clovelly Rd opp Knox St stop to pick up the 350 bus to Bondi Junction.

Coogee Beach – The 350 bus runs regularly between Coogee and Bondi Junction.