Bondi Beach
You Can’t Come to Sydney Without a Swim at Bondi Beach …
Easily the most famous beach in Australia, world renowned Bondi Beach is a great place to soak up the sun, try your hand (or feet) at surfing or to enjoy a dip in the ocean.
Bondi can get pretty busy, and the surf can be big – ocean swimming can often be unpredictable on Australian beaches, so SWIM BETWEEEN THE FLAGS! There is a rip that the locals call Backpacker’s Rip at the southern end of the beach – you only need to see one epidose of the TV Series, Bondi Rescue to know where it is – please don’t end up landing a part on the next Series!
Grab a coffee along Campbell Parade or head up to the local restaurants out of the tourist zone, go up Hall Street to the block known as “The Hub” for some great spots to try. However, getting to the top you have to get past by some other great restaurants including: Bondi Hardware Gelato Messina and the iconic Bills – famous for his great Aussie breakfasts.
Or wander along Gould Street to shop local boutiques, stop in to sip and savour the best locals: Heart Cafe, Drake Eatery and Milky Lane to name a few.
At North Bondi there’s the Raw Bar, North Bondi Fish, North Bondi RSL* (affectionately known as The Rathouse, named after WWI and WWII war veterans who spent the war in tunnels) (*Secret Tip for visitors below) all the way to the iconic Speedos Cafe at the end for a few local favourites.
In fact there are probably about 100 local favourite spots to wine and dine in and around the streets of Bondi and they all serve up an iconic and unique Sydney Local Lifestyle experience.
And You Can’t Come to Bondi Without a Swim at Bondi Icebergs!
Drop into Bondi Icebergs and the home to Australia’s most iconic Swimming Club, Bondi Icebergs. Dip in the small pool, or do a few laps in the 8 lane pool. If it’s too chilly, you can always jump in the sauna as soon as you get out! The sauna is included in your entry to the swimming pool (around $4).
Icebergs has 3 levels of Dining Experiences at 3 levels of dining prices! All with views to die for or selfie your way through an afternoon with Bondi Beach as your green screen backdrop!
- Top floor is legendary Australian restauranteur, Maurice Terzini’s Icebergs Dining Room and Bar (Fine Dining)
- Icebergs Club, the bistro is mid level – with a killer view at a less killer price than above! Enjoy a tasty burger and chips or a great Aussie steak, salads and seafood. They also have great bands to kickback and listen to on a Sunday afternoon. Read a little about the local Iceberg Winter Club Swimming history on the walls or maybe chat with a local member of Icebergs at the bar. Also famous for its IceCube Swimming Club – the Juniors – largest of its kind in Australia. *Secret Tip for visitors below
- At the bottom, Icebergs Pool level there’s a Cafe overlooking the famous pool for a coffee and cake pitstop.
*Secret Tip for visitors: Local Aussie Sporting and RSL (Returned Service League) Clubs like these ones are subsidised by their Memberships, so food and drinks are usually very reasonably priced. Locals have to be members of these Clubs to get in, however, if you’re not local it’s free to enter (with ID proof of address, that is not within 5-10km) – one good thing about not being a local!
If you’re looking for a quieter beach head to nearby Tamarama (big surf), Bronte Beach (medium to big surf) or Clovelly (no surf) and of course Coogee Beach, next to our Randwick properties. There are some great cafes at all of these spots and lovely parks to cook your own BBQ or join in a beach volleyball match.
All these beaches are patrolled in Summer by Surf Lifesavers who help to keep our beaches and swimmers safe. Bondi and Coogee Beaches are patrolled year round.
DIRECTIONS FROM SYDNEY LODGES ACCOMMODATION IN RANDWICK
It’s so easy to access from Sydney Lodges via Sydney’s Light Rail, bus or rideshare/taxi.