Although there are many iconic landmarks in Sydney, its breathtaking beaches will always take the top prize. As such, even if you’re only spending a few days in the city, one thing that can’t be missed is the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. This stunning trail allows visitors to discover several famous beaches, unlock spectacular views, and immerse themselves in Sydney’s renowned seaside culture.
I thoroughly enjoyed doing the Bondi to Coogee walk myself on my visit to Sydney, so below is a guide that includes everything you’ll need to know about this spellbinding coastal path. Including up-to-date tips and a map of all the best places to stop!
All About The Bondi To Coogee Coastal Walk –
Bondi Beach To Coogee Coastal Walk Distance –
The walk along Sydney’s eastern shores is around 6km (one way). It passes some of the best beaches and suburbs in Sydney, along with secluded bays and expansive parks. In fact, what I loved most about the walk was the constantly changing scenery. Each section of the trail offers different vistas, from grassy parks to the cliff-top views.
It takes two to three hours to complete, depending on how often you stop. However, I would suggest setting aside a full day, so you can relax at several of the beaches (see my top picks below) and enjoy a leisurely lunch. After all, the beachfront cafes are not to be missed.
Likewise, even in Winter, when it’s too cold to go for a swim, it’s worthwhile taking your time along the trail, as there’s a chance of seeing whales (which are known to frequent the bays).
Best Time To Do The Bondi Coogee Coastal Walk –
I would suggest starting the Bondi Beach to Coogee coastal walk early in the morning, especially in summer. The majority of the path lacks shade, making it very hot.
What’s more, as one of the most popular things to do in Sydney, the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk does get quite busy. As such, my favourite time on the trail was definitely the early morning, when few other tourists were around! The fact that it was so quiet and peaceful made me all the more appreciative of the beautiful bays and views.
TOP TIP: If you’d rather do the walk without stopping, sunrise or sunset is the ideal time as the views only get better thanks to that dreamy orange glow!
Bondi To Coogee Walk Tips –
You’ll want to take a small bag on the Bondi to Coogee beach coastal walk so that you can pack key things like a water bottle, sunscreen, hat and swimming costume. At each beach, you’ll find free public toilets and water fountains, so it’s easy to keep hydrated.
It’s also a good idea to bring snacks, since food in Australia is infamously expensive. However, you’ll find plenty of options for lunch along the trail, particularly around Bronte and Bondi Beach.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk Starting Point –
Despite the name, many people (myself included) choose to walk the coastal path by starting in Coogee and finishing on Bondi Beach. It doesn’t really matter which way you walk the route, but I found the views were better approaching Bondi, plus there’s more to do there when you’re finished!
How to get to Coogee and Bondi
To get to Coogee from central Sydney, you can catch either the 373 or 374 bus (both take around 40 minutes). You’ll want to get off at ‘Arden Street’, and it’s then just a short walk to the beach and the start of the trail. However, this bus only runs from the Museum subway station. So I decided to get an Uber for ease.
From Bondi Beach, the return to the city centre (and Circular Quay) is much easier. Bus stops can be found directly opposite the beach, and several routes run back and forth, including the 333, 380, and 389.
TOP TIP: You can check the Sydney bus timetables here
Bondi To Coogee Coastal Walk (Step by Step Guide) –
The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk has 7 distinct sections, and you can find out more about each below!
1) Coogee Beach:
As mentioned, the starting point for the walk is the beautiful Coogee Beach. Although far less famous than Bondi, it has equally soft, white sand and crystal-clear water, making it a popular swimming spot for families. A generous green park also surrounds the entire beach.
It’s easy to find the start of the coastal path at the north end of Coogee Beach. You simply have to follow the “Eastern Beaches Coastal Walkway” signs through the park. These will lead you towards the headland, where you’ll start to see the spectacular views that make the coastal walk so iconic..
2) Gordon’s Bay:
Upon leaving Coogee Beach, the openness of the clifftops give way to a shady, narrow path, where gaps in the trees provide tantalising glimpses of the glistening sea. It’s not far (around 15 minutes) to the picturesque Gordon’s Bay. This small and rocky beach is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving.
This section of the Bondi to Coogee walk was by far my favourite! Namely, because I found it to have some of the most underrated views, but also because starting the walk early in the morning made it very peaceful.
3) Clovelly Beach:
A further five minutes along the coastal path from Gordon’s Bay, you’ll find Clovelly Beach, which has a friendly and local feel. Its tranquil setting immediately enticed me to enjoy my first stop… I couldn’t wait to set up my towel on the sandy beach and head into the sheltered water for a deserved swim!
But, if sand isn’t your vibe, concrete promenades have been built on both sides of the bay at Clovelly, creating ample sunbathing spots with easy access to the water. There’s even a saltwater pool. That said, I enjoyed being sheltered within the bay, as the waves looked quite rough along the promenades.
TOP TIP: You’ll also find a playground and public restrooms at Clovelly Beach, along with food and drinks available from The Sea Salt Cafe.
4) Waverley Cemetery:
Although reluctant to leave the peace and quiet of Clovelly Beach, after an hour’s downtime, I continued along the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk. From Clovelly, there’s quite a long stretch (around a 45-minute walk) before the next bay, which is home to the famous Bonte beach.
However, Waverley Cemetery can be found halfway between the two beaches, which is a well-known landmark! The heritage-listed cemetery is the final resting place of many influential Australians, and it has some awe-inspiring views.
A recently renovated metal boardwalk takes the Bondi to Coogee coastal path along cliffs at the edge of the historic cemetery. From this vantage point, you can make out all the bays you’ve passed since Coogee, and also catch your first glimpse of Bondi Beach ahead!
What I found special is how much the landscape changed between the sheltered bay at Clovelly and the wide-open cliffs in Waverley.
TOP TIP: Take a moment to pause and look back along this section of the coastal path, as the views are stunning in both directions.
5) Bonte Beach:
As you approach Bronte Beach, the coastal path briefly connects to the road, providing the perfect chance to detour into one of the cafes lining the beach for lunch. I chose to stop at Salina Cafe and enjoyed a tasty brunch; however, there are plenty of other top-rated options.
Bonte is another beach that is backed by a large green park, meaning many people also choose to stop and relax here for a time. The surf-worthy waves certainly make for some good people watching. Yet, with strong currents, swimmers shouldn’t take to the water.
Because of this, after lunch, I headed onwards towards the iconic sands of Bondi Beach… but first there’s one more stop!
6) Tamarama Beach:
No more than a five-minute walk from Bronte Beach is the equally scenic Tamarama. This bay is also not ideal for swimming, but the coastal path provides a great vantage point to watch surfers trying to catch a break.
It’s worth noting that from Tamarama onwards, the coastal path gets considerably more crowded… This is the case year-round, yet if (like me) you happen to visit during the annual Sculpture by the Sea event, you’ll find it to be even busier.
For three weeks between October & November over 100 sculptures by local and international artists transform the coastal walk into an outdoor gallery. To be honest, these sculptures weren’t really for me, and the crowds somewhat ruined the peaceful energy I felt along the rest of the Bondi Beach to Coogee coastal walk. However, it is only for three weeks of the year!
7) Bondi Beach
Before you know it, the Bondi to Coogee walk is almost at an end when the coastal path leads onto Mackenzies Point. Here you can see Bondi Beach in its entirety (and get an Insta-worthy pic) for the first time.
Then, for the very last section, make sure you stay close to the water’s edge. The path forks, and you don’t want to miss the famous Bondi Icebergs. I was so excited to see this iconic pool in person, but I never knew its name came from being an exclusive club for winter swimming. In fact, to become a member, you have to swim in the icy water for five years regularly!
Rather than taking this chilly plunge, I headed onto the renowned beach to end the walk. Being a fan of Bondi Rescue, I, of course, had to check out the famous life guard tower, but then enjoyed simply relaxing on the beautiful sand for the rest of the afternoon.
That said, there’s lots to do around Bondi Beach to keep you entertained, from amazing restaurants, cafes and shops to a large playground and skatepark for kids. The Bondi Pavilion is also an iconic landmark worth checking out.
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So there you have it, everything you need to know about the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. For me, there’s really no better way to spend a day in Sydney! Stunning views, picture-perfect beaches, and tasty food stops… what’s not to love!
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