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If you are planning a trip to Australia, chances are that you will stop by Sydney. This famous city has a lot to offer, including beautiful beaches, great nightlife, and iconic buildings. One of my favorite activities there was hiking along the Sydney Coastal Walk, from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. This guide will serve as a photographic tour of the hike, along with information on how to get there, how long the hike will take, and tips for the hike.
Table of Contents
Where is Sydney's Coastal Walk?
Sydney’s Coastal Walk is located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. This trail is 6 km (about 3.7 miles) along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can enjoy views of nearby beaches, cliffs, pools, and parks.
How to Get to Sydney's Coastal Walk
Sydney has great public transportation, and it is very easy to reach the Coastal Walk from anywhere in the city.
Train to Bondi Junction
First, you need to take a train to the Bondi Junction Station. You have to take the Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, or T4, which is dark blue. It is the last station on this line.
As long as you have a Visa credit card, you don’t need to buy a train ticket. Just tap the card once you enter and exit the station.
Bus 333 or 380
Once you arrive at Bondi Junction Station, follow the signs for the connecting buses. Depending on when you go, you will probably see a long line for buses. But don’t worry, the buses come very frequently so you won’t have to wait for longer than 5 or 10 minutes.
Both Bus 333 and 380 will take you to the Coastal Walk.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is the first stop along the Coastal Walk. This is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. When you see it, you will understand why.
The beach stretches into the distance in a crescent shape, with the blue and green colors of the ocean forming waves that are great for surfing. Closer to the shore, the water is gentle enough for kids to play in. Bondi Beach is a great place for everybody. Check out these interesting facts about Bondi Beach.
Bondi Icebergs
The Bondi Icebergs is an iconic pool and social club that is found on the southern edge of Bondi Beach. The pool offers panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, and is a popular place for swimmers. It is also the most photographed pool in the world. As you continue along the Coastal Walk, you will be rewarded with some impressive views of the pool with Bondi Beach in the distance.
Mackenzie's Point
As you continue your way along the trail, you will find yourself at Mackenzie’s Point. This lookout gives you a great view of the Pacific Ocean. When I went in October, I was able to see several whales breaching in the distance. If you are in Sydney between May and November, Mackenzie’s Point is one of the best places in Sydney for whale watching!
Tamarama Beach
Tamarama Beach is a small beach compared to some of the neighboring beaches. However, there was a lot of activity in the water. Several surfers were in this area, enjoying the sizeable waves. A little further out were snorkelers and scuba divers investigating the waters below.
Bronte Beach
Bronte Beach was probably the most crowded beach along the Coastal Walk. A few people were out in the water, but most people were sunbathing in the sand. In fact, there were people lying in the sun all over the nearby sidewalks and park as well!
Similar to Bondi Beach, there is a pool near the ocean in Bronte Beach.
Clovelly Beach
As you keep going along the Coastal Walk, you will see the Waverley Cementery near some impressive cliffs. A bit further lies Clovelly Beach. While this is not the most picturesque beach, it is a good place to stop and relax. There are a couple of restaurants nearby where you can stop for food and refreshments.
Gordon Bay's Underwater Trail
One of the most interesting parts of the Coastal Walk was the sign for Gordon Bay’s Underwater Trail. As the name suggests, this is actually a trail that is under the water. It takes about 40 minutes for scuba divers and snorkelers to swim the 620 meters that make up this trail. It was originally created to help promote marine diversity in the area.
Gordon's Bay Beach
Gordon’s Bay Beach is a much quieter beach compared to the others along the Coastal Trail. Although the beach is small, there are plenty of rocks surrounding the water where sunbathers can relax. The best part of this area was the impressive view of the area from the nearby cliffs.
Coogee Beach
Coogee Beach is the final beach in the Coastal Walk. While not as famous as Bondi Beach, I thought that Coogee Beach was the most picturesque beach in Sydney. The white sand and color of the water reminded me of some of the best beaches in Tasmania.
After spending some time lying in the sand or swimming in the water, you can check out the numerous restaurants nearby. There is also a bus stop for easy access back to Bondi Junction Station.
Giles Baths
Before heading back home, you should check out Giles Baths. This natural rock pool is located next to Coogee Beach. Not only is it a cool place to swim, but it is also home to several unique species of marine life. Some of these animals, such as the Sydney Octopus, are only found in Sydney!
Where to Stay in Sydney
The price and availability of hotels can vary dramatically depending on the time of year. Therefore, it’s best to book your hotel in advance.
The Four Seasons Hotel is one of the most popular hotels in Sydney. It is located in the center of the city and offers panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House!
If you are a budget traveler, I recommend staying at The Village at Surry Hills. I stayed at this hostel for a few nights, and it was one of the most affordable options in the city. It is also conveniently located near the Central Train Station.
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
