Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Two-Hour Walk from Bondi Beach to Clovelly
This invigorating oceanside and clifftop walk explores
the beautiful shoreline and surfing beaches of eastern
Sydney. The local colour along this scenic trail is at its
most vibrant at weekends, when people flock to the
cafés and beaches. The Victorian cemetery at the walk's
end bears witness to Sydney's multicultural heritage.
Drive leaving the traffic and
noise of Campbell Parade
behind as you reach Sydney's
most famous beach, Bondi.
Bondi's popularity dates back
to the 1880s. Although daylight
bathing was banned at the
time, the beach was considered
a fashionable place to stroll.
Bondi trams came into use
shortly after and, by the time
bathing restrictions were lifted
in 1902, the red and white
trams were filled with beach-
goers. Just ahead you will see
Bondi Pavilion
3
. Built in 1928
to replace a modest timber
building, it was designed
on a grand scale and origin-
ally housed a ballroom,
gymnasium, restau-
rant, café, Turkish
baths and open-air
theatre. Although
decidedly less glam-
orous today, the
complex is still a thriving local
community centre hosting
cultural events. Photographs
inside recall the romance of
Bondi Beach in earlier times.
Next to the Pavilion is the
home of arguably Australia's
oldest surf life saving club,
the Bondi Surf Bathers
4
(see
p137)
. Follow the sweep of
the beach to its southern end.
Climb a flight of steps to con-
tinue on Notts Avenue, above
Bondi Baths
5
and alongside
the Bondi Icebergs clubhouse.
Members of the Swimming
Club must swim every Sunday
during the winter regardless
of the weather.
Bronte's swimming baths
Bondi to Bronte
Veer left off Notts Avenue
as the path drops down
and skirts sharp rock
formations, the result of
years of erosion. Take the
steep steps to Mackenzies
Point lookout
6
on the
headland. The magnifi-
cent view stretches for
180 degrees from Ben
Buckler in the north to
Malabar in the dis-
tant south.
Pool at North Bondi Beach
A Seaside Community
Walk north along Campbell
Parade
1
, passing a colourful
array of hotels, beachwear
shops and lively cafés that give
the street a raffish
atmosphere. The
stylish Gelato Bar
at No. 140 makes an
indulgent pit-stop.
Keep walking until the
Hotel Bondi
2
, the
parade's most signif-
icant building and
easily spotted by its
pretty clock tower. Opened as
a first-class hotel in 1920, it
initially stood quite alone by
what was then a bush-fringed
beach. Turn right, crossing the
road in front of the hotel, and
walk down to Queen Elizabeth
Statue of lifesaver
near Bondi Pavilion
Bronte House
,0
TIPS FOR WALKERS
Starting point:
Campbell
Parade, southern end.
Length:
4 km (21/2 miles).
Getting there:
Take the train to
Bondi Junction, then Bus 380 to
Bondi Beach. Bus 339 runs from
Clovelly Beach to Circular Quay.
Waverley Cemetery is open from
8am to dusk every day.
Stopping-off points:
Public
toilets, showers and food and
refreshments are available at
Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte
Beaches. Take-away cuisine can
be bought along Bondi's
Campbell Parade as the walk
begins. Tamarama's beach café
serves refreshing drinks. In warm
weather, make the most of four
of Sydney's best beaches by
packing your swimming gear.
KEY
Walk route
Viewpoint
Bus stop
Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club,
at the beach's northern end
Parking
