The Bondi to Bronte Walk, passing Tamarama Beach and Mackenzies Bay, is one of Sydney’s most iconic coastal trails. Along the way, you’ll take in sweeping ocean views and striking sandstone cliffs.
The trail features several lookout points where you can pause and soak up the scenery. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot whales or dolphins gliding through the waves.
| Bondi to Bronte Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.5 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 1+ hour (depending on stops) |
| Grade: | Easy (some stairs) |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
Getting There
Getting to Bondi can be challenging on sunny days and weekends, so it’s good to prepare yourself before you go.
Public Transport
Regular train services run between the city and Bondi Junction, with connecting buses departing from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach.
Buses also run directly from the Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach, though travel times can vary depending on traffic.
Parking in Bondi
Bondi offers two paid parking areas along Campbell Parade, parallel to the beach. However, these fill up quickly on weekends and can be quite expensive. Alternatively, there are several underground public car parks in town.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider street parking further away from the beach. Some streets offer free parking with a two-hour time limit. Sandridge St and Fletcher St, located south of the beach, are good locations to park.
Highlights and Map
In this article, we’re going to focus on the following 6 highlights and landmarks:
- Bondi Beach
- Bondi Icebergs
- Mackenzies Point
- Mackenzies Bay
- Tamarama Beach
- Bronte Beach
Below is a map with these highlights marked from 1 to 6, starting at Bondi Beach.
This interactive map presents the entire route on Google Maps which you can load on your phone when doing this hike.
Track Notes
Although short, the walk between Bondi and Bronte can easily take a few hours if you factor in stops for photo opportunities and perhaps a coffee or a cold drink.
Otherwise, without stops, you can complete the walk within one hour.
1. Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is not just Sydney’s most famous beach—it’s also one of Australia’s most iconic.
It has everything you’d expect from a classic Aussie beach: a long, wide stretch of golden sand, excellent swimming and surfing conditions, plenty of restaurants and cafés, picnic areas, a lively promenade, and a historic pavilion.
With a rich history, Bondi Beach is at the heart of Australian beach culture and is even listed on the Australian National Heritage List.
Another interesting fact: Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club is recognised as the world’s oldest surf life-saving club, having been around for over a century.
From Bondi Beach, follow Notts Avenue south towards Bondi Icebergs, where you can start the scenic walk to Bronte Beach.
Notts Avenue underwent an upgrade in 2020 to enhance safety and amenities for both locals and visitors. As part of the improvements, a new lookout platform was installed, offering spectacular views over Bondi Beach and the ocean.
2. Bondi Icebergs
For a drink or a meal with classic Bondi vibes, you can’t go wrong with Bondi Icebergs. This iconic swimming club features an ocean-facing restaurant upstairs, offering incredible views.
Swimming in the Bondi Icebergs Pool is a popular year-round activity—even in winter, when dedicated locals brave the chilly water for their laps.
From Bondi Icebergs, the walk begins along a concrete waterfront path that curves around Bondi Bay, giving you a taste of the stunning coastal scenery ahead.
Looking north from this walkway, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Bondi Bay, Bondi Beach, and North Bondi.
3. Mackenzies Point
At the end of that walkway, a set of stairs leads up to a lookout where you can take in fantastic views of Bondi Beach.
This lookout sits on the easternmost tip of Mackenzies Point, a headland between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach.
Also on this headland is Marks Park, a spacious grassy area that hosts the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. Even when the sculptures aren’t on display, the park is worth exploring, especially after its recent upgrades.
Sculpture by the Sea runs each year from late October to early November, drawing over 500,000 visitors. The event showcases stunning artistic sculptures spread across Marks Park and Tamarama Park, set against the dramatic backdrop of the ocean and coastal cliffs.
From the Mackenzies Point lookout, the walking track continues south towards Mackenzies Bay.
4. Mackenzies Bay
Just north of Tamarama Beach, Mackenzies Bay is a picturesque inlet with a rocky shoreline.
Interestingly, every few years, shifting tides deposit enough sand to transform it into Mackenzies Bay Beach—a temporary little beach that appears and disappears with the changing conditions.
From Mackenzies Bay, follow the walking trail as it curves around the bay and over a small headland, leading you to Tamarama Beach.
5. Tamarama Beach
Also known as “Glamarama” by the locals, Tamarama Beach is known for its great, but sometimes rough, surfing conditions. The beach itself is small and narrow, with a couple of well-used volleyball courts.
Swimming here isn’t ideal due to deep, strong rip currents, making Tamarama better suited for sunbathing or a game of beach volleyball rather than a swim.
Just behind the beach, Tamarama Park was upgraded a few years ago and now features excellent BBQ and picnic facilities, along with a modern café, toilets, and showers.
From Tamarama Beach, continue south along the main track via Tamarama Marine Drive and Bronte Marine Drive to reach Bronte Beach.
6. Bronte Beach
Bronte Beach is a family-friendly stretch of sand, backed by a spacious park with excellent BBQ and picnic facilities.
Like Tamarama, Bronte’s water conditions can be rough at times, so it’s important to always follow the directions of the surf lifesavers.
Just behind the beach, Bronte Park offers plenty of grassy space for picnics and barbecues. The strip of cafés down the road is perfect for a coffee, breakfast, or lunch.
Be sure to check out Bronte’s famous rock pool at the southern end of the beach. It’s a favourite among locals—and for good reason!
More Coastal Hiking
If you’d like to continue hiking after arriving in Bronte, you can keep following the walking trail to Coogee Beach, past Clovelly Beach and Gordons Bay.
Once in Coogee, you can continue south to Maroubra Beach, from where you can start the Malabar Headland Walk.
You could also consider starting your hiking adventure in Watsons Bay north of Bondi and follow the Federation Cliff Walk to Bondi Beach.
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