Aside from the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Bondi to Coogee Walk is the highlight of any trip to Sydney. It may not make it on to as many postcards as those two icons, but this is one of the best coastal walks in Sydney and probably in the whole of Australia.
This walk has it all: five stunning beaches, potential to see whales and dolphins, beautiful cliff tops and views that you could never get tired of. The sea air and the gorgeous views make it a pretty great way to shake off the jet lag if you’ve just arrived.
It's not a difficult walk at 5.5km, but it does undulate much of the way. It can take as little as an hour and a half or all day, depending on how many times you stop for a coffee and a dip!
Here's why the Bondi to Coogee walk is a definite Sydney must do.
The stunning Bondi Beach on a sunny day
The Bondi to Coogee Walk
The stats
Distance: 5.5km (one way)
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Time: Allow at least 1.5 hours
Type of trail: One Way
Start of trail: Notts Avenue - Bondi Icebergs
The Bondi to Coogee Walk is relatively easy. The whole trail is paved and is perfect for anyone wanting to do a walk, but don’t fancy a dirt trail. I’ve taken my parents on it several times (they are in their mid 60s and not passionate hikers) and they loved it.
You can find a map below listing the main highlights and stops along the way. The great thing about the Bondi to Coogee Walk is that there is so much to see and plenty of places to stop if you want a drink or to admire the view.
You can also hop off at most of the beaches and get a bus back to the city if you’ve had enough (some people choose to shorten the walk down to Bondi to Bronte for that reason).
It really does deserve its reputation as one of the best walks in Sydney.
Bondi to Coogee Walk tips
Here’s a few tips to get you started before you take on the walk:
If you can, avoid the weekends - especially midday. Whilst the trail is fairly wide, it can get pretty busy!
Ideally, start early and combine it with brekkie at Lox Stock & Barrel in Bondi. They serve the most amazing bagels in Sydney!
Bring a water bottle and sunscreen as there is no shade on the trail. You can also refill your water at plenty of places along the way. There is also the option to stop at a cafe along the way.
If you are visiting between May and October, keep an eye out for migrating Humpback Whales! They aren’t rare and you can often see them from the trail. Dolphins are possible to see all year round, although we don’t see them every time.
If you don’t like swimming in the ocean there are various ocean baths you can use along the way for free!
If you have a mask and snorkel stop at Gordons Bay which the walk passes right beside, it’s one of the best snorkelling spots in the whole of Sydney.
The Coogee Pavilion is a great place to finish the walk. You can get a well-earned drink and they also have things like table tennis and games.
If 5.5km just isn’t enough for you, you can continue the walk from Coogee to Maroubra, which will take another hour or so.
What you’ll see and what to expect on the trail
Starting at Icebergs: Sydney’s most famous ocean bath
Once you've started, take a little while to appreciate the epic view looking back on one of Australia's most iconic beaches.
From Notts Avenue you'll get a great view from up high, overlooking the beach as it curves into the distance.
It is a good vantage point for surfers and we struggled to peel my Dad away from this first view of Bondi.
We still had the whole walk to do, but he just wanted to watch the surfers crash into the waves. This is also a great vantage point for whale watching.
The path heads up to Icebergs, another icon and one of Sydney's most Instagrammable spots. This is just one of the many ocean baths that dot the coastline. They are a Sydney institution and Icebergs is the most famous of the lot.
Insider tip: Icebergs is known for it’s fancy bar, but not many visitors realise there’s an RSL next door, serving drinks much cheaper and offering up that same stunning view! A great place to finish the walk if you’ve started at Coogee.
The beautiful coast path starts
The trail leaves the road via some steps down to the shore and goes under some overhanging cliffs. As the path continues, you'll get glimpses looking back to Bondi as well as some of the waves crashing against the nearby rocks.
The path soon heads up to the top of the cliffs to one of our favourite spots. MacKenzie's Point is a viewing platform where you can see out to sea for miles.
Arguably, this viewpoint changed our lives.
MacKenzies Point - look out for whales!
Having spent a year in South East Asia, we were feeling the post-travel blues.
We were even discussing whether we should still go for jobs and give Australia a go, or whether we should carry on travelling.
It was when we reached this point on our third day in the city and looked out to sea that we felt excitement again.
The sight which made us want to give Sydney a go
About 300 metres away a humpback whale and her calf jumped out the water, breaching and diving just off shore for over half an hour. We knew that this wasn't like any other city.
MacKenzie's Point is a great place to see whales between May and October. This is the time of the Humpback whale migration which grows in numbers every year. You'll need to be patient and have a little luck, but it is possible to see them from here.
Stunning beach no.1: Tamarama
The next main attraction you come to is Tamarama Beach. Tamarama's one of the smallest along the track and is one of our favourite beaches in Sydney.
From the air, Tamarama is stunning and sits snugly into a little alcove, surrounded by houses. Those lucky, lucky people!
Tamarama Beach on the Bondi to Coogee Walk
At the back of the beach there is a park, play area and coffee shop. We've stopped here both times with my parents for coffee and lunch, while watching the surfers in the water. It's also somewhere you can also fill your water bottle if you need.
From here the track goes around the back of the coffee shop, onto the footpath at Tamarama Marine Drive and back up to the cliff. Once you've rounded the cliff, the track splits left and heads back down again.
Stunning beach 2: Bronte
The next stop is Bronte Beach, one of the bigger beaches on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.
At the far end is Bronte Baths: a huge ocean bath that has become a drone photographer's favourite. Behind the beach is a large park. It is another beautiful place to have a rest, drink and take in the view.
Bronte Beach
Head across the beach to the southern side and find the path that heads up to Calga Place road before Bronte Baths and the toilets.
Follow the road along until a footpath veers left. The next section is a stunning boardwalk over the cliffs and one of the most beautiful section of track.
Insider tip: Keep an eye out for dolphins, which can be seen along the coast. We saw a pod from the cliff by Bronte Beach once, an unforgettable moment!
Waverley Cemetery & Clovelly Bowls Club
The track soon moves onto a stunning boardwalk that makes you feel like you're suspended above the sea. It is one of my favourite parts of the whole walk, offerring the ocean on one side and a cemetery on the other.
Yes, you read that right.
On the boardwalk you will pass the most famous cemetery in the city.
Only in Sydney will you get a cemetery with one of the best views in the city! I couldn't think of a better place to be laid to rest than on top of this cliff, overlooking the ocean.
After the boardwalk you will pass Clovelly Bowls Club and the sports ground. Bowls is a really popular pastime in Sydney, even for young people. You can stop in for a game if you are making a day of it. After that is the only clifftop rugby pitch I've ever seen.
With the price of real estate in Sydney, I'm shocked that they are both still here. I'd imagine they've had a few multi-million dollar offers for this clifftop land, but it is beautiful to see that they've stuck around.
Stunning beach 3: Clovelly Beach & Gordon's Bay
After the park, the track descends to Clovelly Beach, a very narrow, but long stretch of sand. It is in the trees here that we saw dozens of Rainbow Lorikeets and Cockatoos making a racket, so keep an eye out.
On the far side is another ocean bath and concrete platform to stroll along by the water. Behind this is a cafe which is another great place to stop for a drink.
You'll soon get a glimpse of Coogee in the distance.
Gordon's Bay
The track continues down to Gordon Bay, a spot which has stunning electric blue water and excellent snorkelling. BYO snorkel. The path here goes up a very steep staircase, the steepest of the walk. It is a bit more of a wild section of trail as you'll move further from the houses and see a bit more greenery and vegetation.
The path then heads onto Major Street briefly, before you follow it back onto the cliffs. This is the final stretch before reaching Coogee Beach.
Stunning beach 4: Coogee
From the park it is just a leisurely stroll down the hill and onto Coogee Beach, another Sydney-sider's favourite. This huge stretch of sand is seen by locals as the hipsters alternative to Bondi, which is perceived as a foreigner's and backpacker's spot.
It also has the Coogee Pavilion, a great bar that serves good food and has some table tennis tables and games to play. Treat yourself to a cold drink at the end of your walk, you deserve it!
Coogee Beach from above
Essential information for the Bondi to Coogee walk
Bondi to Coogee Walk starting point from Bondi
As this is a one-way walk, you can start at either Bondi or Coogee. We recommend starting at Bondi as you'll be heading in the same direction as most other people.
Bondi is also one of our favourite sunrise spots in Sydney, if you want to make an early start on the walk. However, starting at Coogee is also good if that fits your plans better.
The starting point from Bondi is along Notts Avenue: a tiny road on the Southern side of the beach that goes alongside Icebergs swimming pool. It is pretty easy to find from Campbell Parade.
From here just keep walking until the path heads down towards the cliffs. Then just keep going straight.
To be honest unless it's bad weather or extremely early or late you won't be alone, so you can't really get lost.
Bondi to Coogee Walk starting point from Coogee
The Coogee to Bondi Walk starts from the grassy park at the very north of Coogee. You can get there by finding the footpath that runs alongside the Coogee Pavilion and continues up to the cliff top.
Bondi to Coogee Walk distance
The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is 5.5km long from start to finish. The track is pretty much fully paved and in the best condition you could hope for. We've walked along streets that don't look as good as the track on this walk.
You could do the walk in just an hour and a half, but that would be without stopping anywhere and taking in the views. We advise giving three hours to walk, look and take it in. You could easily take up to four hours to do the trail if you include lunch and swimming.
Packing suggestions for the Bondi to Coogee Wzlk
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Getting to the Bondi to Coogee Walk
Bondi to Coogee Walk parking
If you want to park to do this walk, you'll need to find a back street. Although you can park on the Bondi Beach front, the cost is high and the hours are limited. It is also incredibly busy, even at 8am!
There are some long stay spots, but many have a limit of four hours. All spots cost $9.50 AUD per hour, so the price adds up very quickly!
You can find the full details about the council car parks here. Street parking is cheaper, but you'll be limited to 2-4 hour parking maximum. Go Get have an article with some more alternatives, but they aren't much cheaper or convenient.
It is better at Coogee, but not much. The main problem is the restrictions in how long you can park. Few places allow even four hours of parking and to do the Bondi to Coogee walk, you'll want to allow plenty of time to take it in and of course it is one way so you need to get back to your car.
If you're doing the walk we'd recommend leaving the car at home. The hassle of parking on the Eastern beaches (especially on a weekend) just isn't worth it. You can easily get an uber or get there by public transport.
Public Transport to the Bondi to Coogee Walk
Getting to/from Bondi: Public Transport is by far the easiest way to get to the start and end of the Bondi to Coogee Walk. The best way to get to Bondi is either by the 333 or 380 bus (this goes regularly from Circular Quay Stand B). This will drop you off at Campbell Parade by Bondi Beach.
Alternatively, you can get the train from Central, Town Hall, Martin Place or Kings Cross to Bondi Junction. You can get a bus from the train station down to the beach.
The bus from Circular Quay normally takes about 45 minutes and the train is a lot quicker.
Getting to/from Coogee: The only way to Coogee is by bus. Buses go from Central station in the city or from the bus stands at Eddy Street. Just look at the front of each bus and see which stops at Coogee.
Bondi to Bronte Walk (the shorter version)
If you want to shorten the Bondi to Coogee Walk, you can stop at just about anywhere along the way as you're never too far away from public transport or a taxi. However, the most popular is going from Bondi to Bronte. This version is around 2 km long and will take up to an hour to do (depending on whether you stop a lot).
This takes in some of the major highlights, including Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte beaches. If you only have a short amount of time, this is worth doing. However, we're always fans of doing the whole walk!
Sculpture by the Sea
A fun version of the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is to do the track during the time Sculpture by the Sea is on. If you time it right (it is usually on in October) then you can do the walk at the same time that quirky art is being exhibited along the path between Bondi and Tamarama.
Though this is an extremely busy time to do it and we have only dared attempt it at sunrise.
If you plan to do this, try to avoid weekends and go early. Otherwise it can be one long shuffle.
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