If you're planning a Sydney trip these school holidays, you've picked a good time to go. The NSW Term 3 school holidays run from 27 September to 10 October 2026, and Sydney's eastern beaches are genuinely one of the best places in the country to spend them. I've been shooting the Sydney coastline for a while now, and every time I point my camera (or drone) at Bondi or Coogee, I'm reminded why so many people fall in love with this stretch of coast.
Whether you're heading up with the kids or making it a couple's escape, here's my honest guide to making the most of the sydney school holidays 2026 on the eastern beaches.
Start at Bondi Beach
Bondi needs no introduction, but it still delivers every time. The beach itself is about a kilometre of white sand, and it works well for families because the northern end is generally calmer for swimmers while the southern end stays busier with surfers. Lifeguards are on patrol, the café strip on Campbell Parade is well set up for grabbing a feed, and the whole place has a great energy in the school holiday period.
I've shot Bondi from above with my drone on early mornings before the crowds arrive, and the view from altitude really shows you the full arc of the beach in a way you just can't see from the sand. If you want to take a piece of that feeling home, my Bondi Art Print I and Bondi Art Print II both capture that aerial perspective, starting from $89. They make a brilliant holiday souvenir, and honestly they're the kind of thing you'll still love looking at ten years from now.
Walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
This is the non-negotiable activity for things to do in sydney school holidays. The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is 6 kilometres, completely free, and one of the best coastal walks in Australia, full stop. It runs south from Bondi through Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly before finishing at Coogee Beach. The whole thing takes around two hours at a relaxed family pace.
The track hugs the cliffline most of the way and there are plenty of spots to stop, rest, and take in the view. Tamarama is worth a proper look. It's a small, dramatic beach with a fierce shore break, and it's gorgeous to watch from the headland. Bronte has a great ocean pool and a good café strip if you need a coffee and a snack halfway. Clovelly is calm and protected, popular with snorkellers, and perfect for younger kids who want to get in the water without worrying about surf.
When you reach Coogee, the beach itself is wide, clean, and brilliant for a swim to finish the walk. I've shot Coogee from the water and from above, and it's one of those beaches where the colour of the water on a clear day is genuinely hard to believe. My Coogee Art Print I captures that blue-green palette, and it's the kind of print that makes you want to go back every time you look at it.
Icebergs at Bondi: Worth the Hype
The Bondi Icebergs pool sits at the southern end of Bondi Beach and it's one of Sydney's most iconic spots. The ocean pool has been there since 1929 and the view out over the water is genuinely special. It's open to the public for a small entry fee (check their website for current prices and hours), and there's a good café/restaurant on site if you want a meal with a view.
Kids love the pool, adults love the fact that they can swim laps next to the ocean, and the spot photographs brilliantly from the cliff path above. It's worth timing your Bondi to Coogee walk to start early so you can stop in here on the way through.
Practical Tips for the School Holiday Period
- Parking in Bondi is a nightmare. Take the bus from Bondi Junction or Circular Quay and save yourself the stress.
- The coastal walk is pram-friendly in most sections, but there are some steps around Clovelly. Older kids (5+) will handle it fine.
- Pack sunscreen, hats, and water. The walk is exposed in places and the September sun is stronger than it looks.
- Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends during the school holidays. Get to Bondi before 9am and you'll have a completely different experience.
- The coastal walk runs one way. If you're with younger kids, you can do part of it and catch a bus back from Bronte or Clovelly.
Bring the Coast Home
One of the things I hear from people after a Sydney beach holiday is that they wish they could hold onto that feeling once they're back home. That's exactly why I started Local Breaks. Every print I sell is a place I've actually been to and photographed myself. Bondi and Coogee aren't stock images or generic ocean shots. They're my photos, shot at specific times of day when the light and the water were doing something worth capturing.
If your family is heading to Sydney these school holidays, or you've already been and you're already missing it, a framed coastal print is a genuinely great way to keep that memory on the wall year round. Customers tell me all the time that they look at their print every day and it brings them straight back to the place they love. That's the whole point.
Browse my Bondi Art Print I and Coogee Art Print I to find the right fit for your space. Prints are available unframed or in a classic timber frame, and every order ships free anywhere in Australia. For more on what to see while you're in Sydney, my earlier post How to Make the Most of Your Stay in Sydney: Bondi, Icebergs and the Bondi to Coogee Walk covers more detail on planning your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the NSW school holidays in 2026?
The NSW Term 3 school holidays in 2026 run from Saturday 27 September to Friday 10 October 2026. That gives families two full weeks to travel, and the Sydney eastern beaches are a popular choice for this time of year because the weather starts to warm up heading into spring.
Is the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk suitable for families with young children?
Yes, the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is suitable for families, though some sections have steps and uneven terrain. The full 6km route takes around two hours at a relaxed pace. If you have very young children or a pram, you can shorten the walk by finishing at Bronte or Clovelly and catching a bus back to Bondi.
What is the best time to visit Bondi Beach during school holidays?
Weekday mornings before 9am are the quietest time to visit Bondi during school holidays. The beach and the Bondi to Coogee walk get busy by mid-morning, especially on weekends. Arriving early means better parking (if you're driving), fewer crowds on the path, and better light for photos.
Can I buy a framed print of Bondi Beach as a souvenir?
Yes. My Bondi and Coogee art prints are available as unframed prints or in a classic timber frame, printed on
