Though the central location makes it easy to get to, the shape of the bay means it was never going to be the great surf Beach it was made out to be in the 60’s and 70’s. It is however still a great place to visit.

It’s a bit obvious and over rated, but nothing can detract from the scene that lays out for you as you come down the steep hill towards the beach. You can see the cut glass sea, swathe of yellow sand and the steep grassy hill, then as you hook around the corner the pastel coloured buildings, now shops, bars and cafes that crowd the front and promenade separating the sand from the grass.

On one side of the steepish bay are rock-pools and a shallow children’s pool, on the rocky cliffs on the south side of the sand and surf is Bondi Icebergs, the local RSL Club (sit in the upstairs bar for expensive treats, classy surrounds and a view that looks like a piece of art in its own right, or downstairs for more of an authentic RSL atmosphere with a view over the famous ocean swimming baths.

Some of the cafes on the promenade have been replaced by fast food joints and chains, but the sand, water and grass are still as bright and shiny as ever (especially now that smoking on the beach has become a fine-able offence.) and the streets behind the front are still lined with funky shops, cafes and bars and lots of cool second hand stores and pastel painted converted art deco properties with combi vans and surfboards out the front (though most of these are probably being rented by British backpackers?).

Come on a Sunday for the market, or on Christmas day for a huge orphans celebration and dance party.

Written by  Kat Mackintosh.

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Bondi Beach

An early start began with breakfast in “Trio” on Bondi Beach and a surprise activity. First surprise activity revealed as surfing on Bondi! With “Big Wave Dave” as our instructor we were sure to get standing in no time. I have been surfing many times in Ireland but it was great to get a lesson from a real Aussie, which in hindsight paid off, he had me popping up straight to my feet, there was no option to kneel up first with “Big Wave Dave” and before I knew it I was turning on the wave like a real pro…

We enjoyed lunch on the balcony of North Bondi RSL Surf Club which has the most magnificent view of Bondi Beach and its surfers, the amount of which I am still overwhelmed by, the whole of the beach bursting with very talented surfers. To top it all off, watching Whales floating around the harbour was more than stunning!

Bondi is soooooooooooooo nice. I would love to be there in the summer too.

 

Review posted 25th August 2009 by sydneysider.

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