Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: Sydney's Best Urban Hike

The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is the finest urban walk in Australia — a 6km cliff-top path linking Sydney's most famous beaches, passing through dramatic sandstone headlands, ocean swimming pools carved into the rock, sculpture parks and a working cemetery that overlooks the Pacific. It's completely free and takes about 2 hours walking straight through.

The Route

Start at Bondi Beach (southern end, near the Icebergs Pool). The path heads south along the cliff-top: Tamarama (small, powerful surf, "Glamourama"), Bronte Beach (rock baths, café strip, best picnic spot on the walk), Clovelly (concrete channel carved into the rock, beloved by snorkellers and toddlers), Gordons Bay (underwater snorkel trail) and finally Coogee Beach (larger, calmer, good pub at the north end).

Ocean Pools

Sydney's ocean pools — natural rock platforms with concrete walls holding back the sea — are one of Australia's distinctive institutions. Bronte, Clovelly and Mahon Pool (Maroubra, extend the walk) are the finest. Swimming in these tidal pools is free and extraordinary.

Practical Tips

Walk south to north to have the sun behind you in the morning. Allow an hour at Bronte for coffee and rock pool swimming. Take sunscreen — no shade for long stretches.