If you're heading to Sydney and trying to figure out what to actually do beyond the obvious, let me give you the rundown. I've spent time shooting along the Sydney coastline with my drone, and I can tell you the stretch from Bondi to Coogee is genuinely one of the best bits of coastline in the country. It's right up there with anything on the Great Ocean Road or the Gold Coast, just in a different way. More dramatic cliffs, more ocean pools, more of that classic Sydney energy.
Here's how I'd spend a couple of days making the most of it.
Start at Bondi Beach
Bondi is exactly what you think it is, and that's not a bad thing. It's big, it's beautiful, and it earns its reputation. The crescent of sand is genuinely impressive, especially when you see it from above. When I shot Bondi Art Print I from the air, I remember thinking how perfectly the bay curves. From the beach level you feel it, but from above it really clicks.
Get there early if you can. Bondi in the middle of a summer afternoon is a lot. First thing in the morning it's a completely different place. Quieter, the light is better, and you get to watch the ocean swimmers do their laps before the crowds roll in.
Icebergs: Don't Skip It
Icebergs is one of those places that lives up to the hype. The ocean pool sits right on the rocks at the southern end of Bondi, with waves crashing over the edge on a solid swell. It's been there since 1929 and it looks like it belongs to the ocean as much as it belongs to the land.
Upstairs is the Icebergs Dining Room, which has one of the best views of Bondi Beach you'll find. It's worth going up for a drink or lunch just to sit with that view in front of you. The pool below, the beach curving north, the whole scene laid out. I shot this stretch for Bondi Art Print II and the aerial perspective really shows you how the pool and beach sit together. It's one of those images where people immediately recognise the spot.
Walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
This is the one. If you do nothing else while you're in Sydney, do the Bondi to Coogee walk. It's a 6km coastal path heading south from Bondi through Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and finishing at Coogee Beach. Free to walk, takes around 2 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace, and the ocean views are there for almost every step of it.
A few things to note along the way:
- Tamarama is a tiny, punchy little beach with strong surf. Worth stopping at.
- Bronte has a great ocean pool and a grassy park that's perfect for a sit-down break.
- Clovelly is one of the most unusual spots on the walk. It's basically a long concrete channel cut into the rock where people swim. Snorkelling is excellent there.
- Coogee Beach at the end is wide and calm. A great spot to grab lunch and put your feet up after the walk.
I've walked this track a few times and I still notice something new each time. The light changes completely depending on the time of day, and the cliff sections between beaches have some serious drop to them. Great for photography.
Bring Sydney Home With You
One of the most common reasons people buy prints from me is that they've been somewhere they love and they want to hold onto that feeling. Sydney does that to people. You walk the Bondi to Coogee track, you sit at Icebergs and watch the swell roll in, and you want to take a piece of it back with you.
I've shot both Bondi and Coogee from the air, and the prints are up on the site now. The aerial perspective is what makes them different from the kind of beach photo you'd take yourself. You get the full sweep of the coastline, the colour of the water, the way the land meets the sea. Coogee Art Print I in particular captures that wide southern end of the beach really well.
Prints start from $89, and I ship free anywhere in Australia. Every print is made to order and shipped from Victoria. If you want to see sizing options before you commit, check out the size guide or the product guide for a full breakdown of framing options.
If you're thinking about how to style a print once you get it home, this post on how to choose wall art for a coastal living room is worth a read.
FAQs
How long does the Bondi to Coogee walk take?
The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is 6km and most people take 2 to 3 hours at a comfortable pace. If you stop for a swim at Bronte or a coffee at Coogee, add a bit more time. The path is well-marked and easy to follow the whole way.
Is Icebergs worth visiting in Sydney?
Yes, absolutely. The Icebergs ocean pool at the southern end of Bondi is one of Sydney's most iconic spots and it's free to walk past and take in. The Icebergs Dining Room upstairs is a great option for lunch or drinks with a direct view over Bondi Beach. It's one of the best views you'll get in the city.
Can I buy a Bondi Beach art print online in Australia?
Yes. I have several Bondi prints available at localbreaks.com.au, including Bondi Art Print I and Bondi Art Print II, both shot from above using my drone. Prints start from $89, come unframed or in a range of framing options, and ship free anywhere in Australia.
What are the best things to do in Sydney near the coast?
The Bondi to Coogee walk is the standout coastal experience in Sydney. Beyond that, Bondi Beach itself, the Icebergs pool and dining room, a swim at Bronte or Coogee, and snorkelling at Clovelly are all genuinely worth your time. The whole coastline between Bondi and Coogee is accessible on foot and free to explore.
Sydney has a way of sticking with you. Hope you get the most out of it.
