Enjoy Bondi Beach Made Famous By 2000 Sydney Olympics

Just a short bus ride or car trip from the New South Wales capital of Sydney, Bondi Beach is a must on your Australian to-do list. Pronounced with a long “i” as in Bonzai, Bondi is the place for beach days of sun and fun.

Dating back to the Sydney’s suburban expansion in the 1850s, Bondi Beach’s unique name is derived from the Aboriginal term for “sound of waves crashing on rocks.”

To get out of the exciting but populous Sydney, escape to the white sand paradise waiting at Bondi’s beautiful coastline. You may be able to watch the migration of whales and dolphins or might sneak a peak at the elusive fairy penguin.

As a starting point, there is no better place than the Bondi Pavilion. Stop by the Community Center for some visitor information, get ready for your beach day in the showers and changing rooms, or see the outdoor amphitheater.

Hitting the beach, stroll along the sandy coast and sunbathe with the bronzed locals, or take a swim in the clear blue waters on the northern side of Bondi Beach. For more challenging waves, surfers can head south, where the water can be perilous for a swim but heaven for a surf session. In the summer months, lifeguard patrols are all over the beach and shark nets are laid out for further protection.

For a scenic and energizing afternoon, try one of Bondi Beach’s nature walks. Starting out at the Pavilion which dates back to 1928, make your way to Bronte’s Cliffs. Along the way, see some of nature’s oldest phenomena in the Hawkesbury sandstone belt which can be traced back nearly 225 million years. On another route, pass the Bronte bath houses before arriving at Waverley Cemetery.

For a taste of Bondi’s racy beach culture, check out the southern beaches, where local ordinances are ignored by topless sunbathers on a regular basis. In fact, the beach holds the world record for biggest bikini photo shoot of all time.

Get into the groove of the wild City to Surf Fun Run which takes place every August. Participants make their way to Bondi Beach from Sydney’s center. Or go fly a kite in the annual Festival of the Winds in September.

When that beach-day hunger strikes, you can dine at small cafes or more elegant restaurants by the water’s edge. Or have a drink in one of the pubs and rub elbows with the friendly locals.

Bondi’s stunning beach has caught the eye of the entertainment industry, as it serves as the location for Bondi Rescue (about beach patrols) and Breakers.

Bondi Beach’s stature grew even more in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, when the beach volleyball competition took place here.

When staying overnight (or for weeks at a time), Bondi Beach has every type of accommodation, from boutique hotels to down-to-earth hostels for backpackers and mid-range hotels, all bases are covered.

Just thirty minutes away from Sydney by car, Bondi Beach can be accessed by taking Oxford Street out of the capital until it becomes Enfield Drive and then Bondi Road. Due to the traffic and parking crunch on popular weekends, locals recommend going to Bondi Beach via public transportation. Buses to Bondi usually leave Sydney on an hourly basis.

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