Bondi to Coogee: Sydney's Best Coastal Walk
Bondi to Coogee walk is undoubtedly Sydney's best coastal walk. If you are in Sydney, this is a must-do activity. From where to find Bondi to Coogee walk, how to get there by public transport, how difficult is the trail, what to see, to where to stay, and what to pack, we've got you covered.
Sydney in Australia is one of our favorite cities in the world for many reasons. Friendly people, the ocean, cosmopolitan cuisine, and top attractions such as Sydney Opera, just to name a few.
But our favorite activity in Sydney was for sure Bondi to Coogee walk, and even if you are in the city for a short time, you must put this activity on your itinerary.
Bondi to Coogee walk is by many nicknamed the best coastal walk in Sydney, some are not even afraid to list this trail among the best urban walks in the world. Either way, you have to see it yourself.
So pack comfortable shoes, shorts, and swimsuit, and set off.
We spent in the city a wonderful week, so we had a lot of time to see and do the best things Sydney has to offer.
And unknowingly, we left the top activity for the last day of our stay. A cliff coastal walk from Sydney's most popular beach Bondi leads to Coogee Beach, which lies in the same name part of Sydney.
The panoramic views of the ocean, photogenic rough waves splashing to cliffs, white sand beaches, rock pools, artificial lap pools, outside gym, restaurants, and cafes along the trail, that and more you can expect from Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.
If you've just started planning your visit, you've come to the right place. In this travel blog, we will share with you everything you need to know before you go.
How to get to either Bondi or Coogee beach, where to stay, the best things to see along the hike, what to pack, and where to find the best accommodation in Sydney, we share it here, altogether with our photos.
WHERE TO START BONDI TO COOGEE WALK & HOW TO GET THERE
It is possible to start the coastal walk either on Bondi beach or on Coogee beach, so it is only up to you which direction suit you better. We personally started the trek on Bondi beach, but honestly, we think it does not matter.
The only thing you have to consider is that this is a one-way walk, so if you arrived by car, you have to walk six kilometers one way (of course, you can get as far as you like and then return), and then retrace your steps back to your car.
If you plan on traveling around Sydney by public transport, then you can easily take a bus to Bondi beach and then return to your accommodation again by bus from Coogee or vice versa.
As public transport in Sydney is quite good and easy to understand, we think it is much better to get to the coastal walk by bus, as the traffic can be heavy, and you can have difficulties to find a place to park.
We traveled to Bondi beach from Sydney's CBD, so we easily found a bus stop on Circular Quay (take number 333), and then got back from Coogee Beach via a different bus line (373). Both bus rides took approximately 40 minutes.
BONDI TO COOGEE WALK LENGTH & DIFFICULTY
The distance between Bondi and Coogee is six kilometers, so unless you are returning to your car (in that case you would have to walk twelve kilometers), we think it is the length every reasonably fit person is able to walk.
At a relaxed pace, you can easily finish this walk in an hour and a half or in two hours (30 to 45 minutes if you decide to jog), but according to our experience, you will need a bit more.
As we stopped frequently on the viewpoints and relaxed on the beaches along the way, it took us at least four hours to finish Bondi to Coogee walk.
We did not find the trail difficult at all, yes, there are some ups and downs, but mostly you will be walking on a paved trail on the cliff overlooking the ocean.
You should only take into account that there are stairs on the trail, in case you have bad knees or travel with a stroller.
BEST THINGS TO DO AND SEE ALONG BONDI TO COOGEE WALK
Bondi to Coogee walk is an absolutely stunning place with quite many natural and man-made attractions along the way. Here are some of the top things you should not miss out.
We started the coastal walk on Bondi Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Sydney.
The beach is quite long, the sand is fine, and you will find many restaurants, bars, and coffee houses around.
Bondi beach is rarely empty (probably only during winter and when it rains), but we did not feel here uncomfortable despite the crowds. You can enjoy here a relaxed surfer atmosphere as long as you want, swim in the ocean, sunbathe, and once you are ready, set off for a walk.
When facing the ocean, you will see the beginning of the trail at the far end on your right-hand side.
Once you will climb the stairs, you will have the opportunity to admire the famous Bondi Icebergs Pool.
Even though it looks exclusive, you can pay 9 AUD and swim in this traditional pool. It is usually open every day but Thursday when the pool is undergoing cleaning, so check out the official websites. We did not enter this swimming pool and carried on.
Then the trail led us to Mackenzies Point, from where we got sweeping views of Bondi and the coastline. Between the pool and this viewing platform, pay also attention to interesting rock formations.
Also, the stretch between the beach and Mackenzies Point is quite busy, and the stairs are narrow but do not be put off from continuing, in only a couple of hundred meters the situation will improve. Shortly you will get to another highlight along the trail, Tamarama Beach.
When it comes to the beaches along the coastal walk, it is only up to you how much time you want to spend there. You can relax on every beach or be selective, it all depends on your itinerary and mood.
A short easy walk from Tamarama Beach is Bronte Beach, the longest beach you will find on this coastal walk. To get there, you can either walk the pavement leading along the coast, or you can simply walk across the beach and then join Bondi to Coogee Walk again.
Once you get back to the path from the beach, it is possible to take a short detour to a viewpoint, if you decide to follow the original path, you will have to walk along the road for a few minutes, but no worries, this is the only section, and shortly you will be again surrounded by cliffs on one side, ocean on the other side, and you will hear nothing but the deafening sound of the splashing water.
Soon after you will reach Calga Park, and not long after you will get to one of the best things to see on Bondi to Coogee Walkway, Waverley Cemetery.
Although it can sound morbid, this cemetery is beautifully set on the cliff above the ocean and is often voted among the most photogenic cemeteries in the world. If you want you can wander into the cemetery (quite many famous Australians were buried here), or you can only walk around following the wooden path.
From Waverley Cemetery, carry on to a photogenic Shark Point, and then descend to a lovely Gordons Bay.
Even if you think you've seen it all, walk for another a couple of minutes, and you will reach another lookout, Dolphins Point. Nearby stands a memorial commemorating victims of the 2002 Bali bomb attacks. Near this viewpoint was also our favorite place along the trail called Giles Bath. We sat there on ashore for a quite long time, waiting for big waves to come.
After we took as many photos as we could, we walked only a couple of hundred meters to Coogee Beach, which was the end of the walk.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO WALK FROM BONDI TO COOGEE & WHAT TO PACK
You can do the coastal walk all year round regardless of the season, although there are for sure months when you can expect better weather.
Summer in Sydney lasts between December and February, it is hot, humid, weather is usually stable, and you have the highest chance to enjoy blue skies. It can rain infrequently.
We were in Sydney in December, and based on our experience, we would recommend you to set off for a walk either early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat.
In the summer the prices are high, and also you can find the most popular beaches crowded. On the other hand, we enjoyed the lively atmosphere of Bondi to Coogee coastal walk as we could watch how locals live in the summer here - they jog a lot, walk around the ocean, swim, surf, and barbecue in the parks.
Shoulder season months such as March, April, May, September, October, and November are also fine to visit, and you can for sure luck out the weather, but it can be windy at times.
For the summer and shoulder season, you should pack with you shorts, flipflops or sneakers, swimsuit, water bottle , and do not leave your camera at home, you would regret it. Depending on the weather forecast for the day you can also pack a windbreaker and leggings.
Winter in Sydney lasts between June and August, brings low temperatures, occasional winds, and rain, but winter days can also occasionally be dry and sunny. Pack layers, fleece jacket, umbrella, and you will enjoy your day in the offseason as well.
SAFETY
You will be completely safe when walking along the coastal walk, only when you decide to swim, pay attention to flags on the beaches signalizing the possible danger.
Rip currents can be dangerous, so never overestimate your strengths.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHERE TO STAY IN SYDNEY
Sydney is a popular destination among travelers from all around the world, and we must add it is not the cheapest one as well.
But no worries, there are many accommodation options to choose from, even if you are on a tight budget.
You can find a place to stay either in the downtown of Sydney, in the suburbs or on one of many beaches, including the famous Bondi and Coogee.
Below we've handpicked the best hotels for every budget category where you can base yourself before doing the coastal walk between Bondi and Coogee and before exploring the other top things Sydney has to offer.
Sydney CBD | Wake Up! Sydney Central - Great location, clean rooms with either shared or private bathroom, and reasonable price for Australia standards, this hotel for sure deserves your attention.
Bondi Beach | Hotel Bondi - Just across the road from Bondi Beach is this very friendly hotel, featuring comfortable rooms, tea and coffee making facilities, and kitchenettes. If you can splurge a bit, book a room with a balcony and ocean view.
Coogee Beach | Coogee Bay Hotel - Beautifully appointed boutique rooms and the lively atmosphere near the beach at the end (or the beginning) of the coastal walk is a great place to stay for all beach lovers.
Alternatively, search for your accommodation via Hostelworld.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
