Sydney for a weekend. Honestly, it's hard to go wrong. But if you're a beach person, and I'm guessing you are, then you already know where you're headed: Bondi. And once you're there, the whole eastern coastline opens up in a way that'll make you want to stay for a week.
I've spent time shooting along the Sydney coast, and what strikes me every time is how raw and dramatic it is. Big sandstone cliffs, deep blue water, proper surf. It's a completely different energy to the Surf Coast or the Bellarine, but there's the same thing I always chase: that feeling of the ocean being right there, unavoidable, pulling your attention away from everything else.
Here's how I'd spend a weekend in Sydney if I were there right now.
Start at Bondi Beach
Bondi is one of those places that lives up to the hype. The curve of the bay, the Norfolk pines lining Campbell Parade, the surf rolling in all day. It gets busy on weekends but there's a reason for that. It's a genuinely great beach.
Get there early if you can. The light in the morning is incredible, and the crowds are thinner. Walk down to the water's edge and look back up the beach toward the headland. That's the angle I love most about Bondi. The whole sweep of it laid out in front of you.
If you're after a proper sit-down with the best view in Sydney, head up to Icebergs Dining Room at the southern end of the beach. The pool right on the ocean's edge is one of the most photographed spots in the country, and for good reason. Grab a drink upstairs and look back over the beach. That's a hard view to beat.
I shot Bondi Art Print I from above, using my drone on a clear morning when the water was that vivid shade of blue-green you only get in good light. If you've ever stood on that beach and thought "I want this on my wall," that print is exactly that moment. It starts from $89 and looks brilliant in a large or XL classic frame.
Walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
This is the one. Six kilometres of clifftop walking from Bondi south through Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and down to Coogee. Free, takes around two to three hours, and the ocean is in front of you the entire time.
Every headland you round gives you a different angle on the water. Tamarama is dramatic and a little moody. Bronte is family-friendly with a great grassy flat behind the beach. Clovelly is weird and wonderful, a long narrow inlet where families swim alongside fish in the most sheltered little spot.
By the time you hit Coogee you'll be ready for a swim and something to eat. The beach at Coogee has a completely different feel to Bondi. It's a bit quieter, a bit more local, and just as beautiful.
I also shot Bondi Art Print II from above, a slightly different angle that captures the beach in a broader context with the headland curving around it. If you want something a bit more unusual than the standard view, this one's worth a look.
Spend an Afternoon at Coogee
Coogee doesn't get the same attention as Bondi but locals know it's just as good on a sunny afternoon. The beach is wide and sheltered, the esplanade has plenty of spots to sit with fish and chips, and the rock baths at the southern end are one of those little Sydney secrets.
I shot Coogee Art Print I from the air on a day when the water was clear enough to see the sand below. From up there, you get the full shape of the bay and the colour gradient from turquoise at the edges to deep blue further out. It's a beautiful spot and the print does it justice. Also from $89.
If you're decorating a Sydney-facing room and want something that'll get people asking questions, a Coogee or Bondi print on the wall does exactly that. Guests notice it. People who've been there recognise it immediately.
Bring a Piece of Sydney Home
A weekend in Sydney goes fast. The walk, the swims, the coffee, the views from those clifftops. It's the kind of trip where you leave wishing you'd had more time.
That's exactly why I make these prints. Not to sell generic beach art, but to capture real places that mean something to real people. I shoot every location myself, from the ground and from above, and I print everything to order from Victoria on archival materials that won't fade or yellow over time.
All frames are solid FSC certified timber, and shipping is free anywhere in Australia. Nothing to pick up, nothing to worry about. It arrives ready to hang.
If you're after more guidance on choosing the right print for your space, I've written a guide worth reading: Coastal Wall Art Australia: How to Choose a Print That Actually Means Something to You.
And if sizing is the question, this one helps: What Size Wall Art Should You Choose for Each Room? A Practical Guide for Coastal Homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Sydney for the weekend if you love the beach?
The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is the best single thing you can do on a Sydney weekend. It's a free six-kilometre clifftop walk from Bondi through Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly to Coogee, with ocean views the whole way and beaches to swim at along the route. Add a morning at Bondi Beach and an afternoon at Coogee and you've got a near-perfect beach weekend sorted.
How long does the Bondi to Coogee walk take?
The Bondi to Coogee walk is about six kilometres and takes most people two to three hours at a comfortable pace. You can stop for a swim at Bronte or Clovelly along the way, which adds to the time but makes it even better. It's well-signposted, flat enough for most fitness levels, and completely free.
What is the Icebergs pool at Bondi?
The Icebergs pool is an ocean pool at the southern end of Bondi Beach, built right on the edge of the rocks with waves regularly washing over the walls. Icebergs Dining Room is the restaurant and bar located upstairs, with views directly over Bondi Beach. It's one of Sydney's most iconic spots and worth a visit for a drink or lunch even if you're not swimming.
Can I buy a framed Bondi Beach art print online with free shipping in Australia?
Yes. I have framed and unframed Bondi Beach art prints available at localbreaks.com.au, starting from $89. All prints are made to order, printed in Victoria, and shipped free anywhere in Australia. Frames are solid FSC certified timber and prints are made with archival materials designed to last. You can see the full range at Bondi Art Print I and Bondi Art Print II.
Sydney's eastern coast is something else. Go walk it, swim it, take it all in. And if you want a piece of it
