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SYDNEY WALKS

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Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

Sydney's most spectacular walking track runs 3.5km from from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au       → Follow the walk in pictures below


Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach Walk - part 1

Bondi to Bronte walk must rank among
Australia's most scenic coastal walks

 

BONDI BEACH TO BRONTE BEACH WALK

Distance: 2.3km one way
Time to walk: About 1.5 hours
Starting point: Southern end of Bondi Beach
Finish: Bronte Beach
Difficulty: Some sections with steps but generally easy.
Return: To Bondi Beach - catch bus opposite Bronte Beach to Bondi Junction, then change to Bondi Beach bus.
To Sydney CBD - catch No.400 bus opposite Bronte Beach.

The Bondi to Bronte Walk is Sydney's best known coastal walk and the most spectacular. It's a relatively easy walk rewarded by stunning coastal and ocean views. This is one walk you should not miss.

 

The 3.5km walk follows the coastline from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach. The first 500 metres of the walk sees walking paths and boardwalks carved into the rocky foreshore and cliffs that skirt around Bondi Bay. Rocky ledges and outcrops are both above and below the walking path.

 

In summer months there is an extraordinary number of people on this path. To some who go on the walk it may seem as though a pilgrimage is underway.

 

In October and November each year, the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is held along the walking path between Bondi and Tamamara beaches, with sculptures positioned against the backdrop of the ocean..

 

If you're on the path from 10am on a certain Sunday in December, you'll be able to follow the Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim, a 2-2.5 kilometre swim that starts in front of the Bondi Pavilionand finishes at Bronte Beach.

 

THE WALK
The walk is a fairly easy one even though there are steps along the way. Seats are placed at strategic points for walkers to stop and enjoy the ocean views. It's a walk that can be done quickly or it could take you a half day, depending how you want to go about it. The temptation to stop along the way and stare dreamingly at the ocean will inevitably make the walk longer for most people than it need be.

 

The walk starts at the southern end of Bondi Beach, where there is a walking path leading up past the Bondi Icebergs Club. The "Icebergs" are a group of dedicated swimmers who make it their goal to swim every day of the year. To condition themselves for the colder winter months they toss blocks of ice into the pool in warmer months.

 

After leaving the Icebergs Club behind you quickly come to a diversion in the walking path, with an upper section continuing on and a lower section leading down a set of steps to a path that runs along the foreshore.

 

If you're not up to going down or climbing up steps, continue along the top path where you have the option of making a small excursion into Hunter Sculpture Park, a small park that has sculptures placed around the park.

 

The lower path, which tracks the top path, is by far the most interesting option as it runs along the rocks on the foreshore. In some instances the path cuts inside hollowed-out boulders, which are almost cave-like, and under craggy overhanging rocks. The huge rock formations on the foreshore are works of art in their own right, having been scupted by the ocean for thousands of years.

 

The ocean waves breaking against rocks is mesmerising with white mist exploding from pale blue water.

 

Walking so close to the ocean there is always the tempation to leave the walking path and climb onto the rocks on the water's edge. Not a good idea! At any time monster waves can break onto the rocks and it's easy to be swept off the rocks and carried out to sea. There are a number of drownings in Australia each year from people being swept off rocks.

 

A little further on the lower path reconnects with the upper park via a set of steps and the path clims for a short way, passing fine homes built on the cliffs that blend into the rock and seaside vegetation.

 

Bondi to Bronte walk - part 2

 

Editor's note: All the pictures taken of the walk were shot in late autumn when there were relatively few people on the walking path. In the late spring and summer months the numbers swell considerably.

Pictures of the walk

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Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

The walk starts at the southern end of Bondi Beach, where there is a walking path leading up past the Bondi Icebergs Club.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

The home of the famous Bondi Icebergs, a group of dedicated swimmers who make it their goal to swim every day of the year. To condition themselves for the colder winter months they toss blocks of ice into the pool in warmer months.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

Soon after the start of the walk the path presents a diversion: you can continue along the clifftop path on mostly level ground or else go down the steps and take the lower path leading along the rocks. The lower path joins back up with the clifftop path after about 200 metres.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

Our walk leads us down to the rocks where some unwary tourists are taking their lives into their hands by posing for pictures on rocks that waves are breaking onto. Not a good idea as every year there are instances of people drowning after being swept out to sea by huge waves.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

This couple is dwarfed by a massive rock formation through which shelters the walking path.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

The lower path follows the rocky coastline.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

Two walkers find a scenic, if dangerous, spot for themselves. At this point the path ascends via steps to connect with the clifftop path.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

In an artistic touch ants have been stencilled onto the wall of a property above the walking path.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

Looking back toward Bondi Beach.    Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Bondi to Bronte Walk, Sydney 3 pixel gap

A puppy enjoys the walk along the coast.   Picture: © Sydney.com.au