• Understand
• See
• Eat
• Drink
• Get Out

Bondi Beach is a world famous suburb and beachside locality of Sydney, capital of the Australian state of New South Wales.

[edit] Understand

The closest and arguably the most accessible ocean beach to the centre of Sydney, Bondi has become synonymous with Sydney's beach lifestyle - busloads of Japanese tourists, for example, frequently travel to Bondi direct from the airport, just so they can feel the warm yellow sand between their toes.

Bondi has become a favourite of the "barmy army" of British tourists, who annually gather on its sands for a Southern Hemisphere Christmas in the sun.[1] Due to the worldwide popularity, Bondi is now home to numerous youth hostels with backpackers who congregate mainly in the summer months so it is not uncommon to hear Norwegian, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish or Spanish while walking across the beach or through the cafes.

Bondi Beach has a vaguely alternative feel, despite the obvious commercialism present, and attracts a large number of "individuals"; watch out, for example, for the guy who will strip off near the shops, to walk stark naked through the traffic on Campbell Parade, before going down to the beach.

Bondi Beach is very tolerant as topless sunbathing is common and gay and lesbian couples displaying affection can be seen.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

Buses run to Bondi Beach in approximately 5 minute intervals from Bondi Junction and the City during peak times (6am till 9pm) then at 15 minute intervals from approximately (9pm till 1am) then every half hour during the early hours. Buses from the City to Bondi Beach all run from Circular Quay and take approximately 55 minutes (47 mins on the 333, and more in heavy traffic) to make the journey. The city terminus is in Alfred Street, opposite Wharf 2 at stand D, however selected buses terminate at Martin Place. Buses may be numbered 333-prepay (purchase a ticket beforehand at ticket machines in Bondi Junction Interchange or at any newsagency), 380, 382, 381 or X84 with the destinations showing North Bondi, Dover Heights, Watsons Bay or Bondi Beach. Passengers are not encouraged to use these bus routes as through routes all the way from the city to the beach. Train tickets are available to "Bondi Beach" which include the bus ride from Bondi Junction. The train saves 25 mins travel time. The fare from Circular Quay is $3.70. For more information on bus timetables go to: http://www.sydneybuses.info/ or call 131 500.

[edit] By Plane

Taxis from the Airport cost around $30 and takes about 25 minutes.

Shuttle services run from the airport direct to Bondi and Cost around $15 per person. You need to get on a Eastern suburbs shuttle. [2]

The cheapest and also the slowest way is to get bus 400 to Bondi Junction direct from the airport, and then get bus 380 with runs right along the beach (Campbell Pde) terminating at the top of the hill in North Bondi.

[edit] By train

From central Sydney, take the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line trains from Central, Town Hall or Martin Place stations to Bondi Junction (10 mins). From there, a bus (lines 380, 381, 382, L82, 15 mins), taxi or reasonable walk will get you to Bondi Beach (2 km downhill). The train ride takes 10 minutes from Town Hall to Bondi Junction.

[edit] See

• Bondi Beach, of course!

[edit] Do

• Walk on the aformentioned coastal walk (at the bottom of Notts Avenue, off Campbell Parade) to Tamarama , Bronte , Coogee and eventually Maroubra.
• Bondi Icebergs [3] - A popular rock swimming pool with restaurant and bar facilities upstairs that look over the entire beach. It is named for the brave swimmers who compete here in the winter months. Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 6.00am and 7.00pm, Saturday & Sunday:6.30am - 6.30pm. Entry $4 Adults/$2.50 Children/Seniors.
• Surf with Let's Go Surfing[4], the only surf school on Bondi Beach. Alternatively, shops along Campebell Parade sell / rent surf boards and body boards, as well as wetsuits.
• Swim but always stay between the flags where lifeguards keep a watch on the swimmers. On weekends and public holidays, volunteer lifesavers also perform watch duty on the beach. Rip current tends to be strong on the beach, so the unexperienced swimmers should always find out the sea condition from the lifeguard or lifesaver before entering the water.
• Scuba Dive at North Bondi. Meet the protected Blue Groper and visit the Cathedral Cave. Rent scuba gear from Dive Bondi at 198 Bondi Rd. PADI dive certification is available: Open Water is $425, Advanced Open Water is $375.

[edit] Events

• The Festival of the Winds [5]- an annual kite-flying Festival in September.
• North Bondi Surf Classic[6] Held each year a 2k swimming race for people of all ages.

• Sculpture by the Sea [7]- An annual outdoor display of sculpture (over 100 separate works) distributed along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk (begins at the bottom of Notts Avenue, off Campbell Parade) - next dates: 3-20 November 2005 (9th year). Free.

[edit] Eat

• Bondi Trattoria Café Restaurant, 34b Campbell Parade, tel 02 9365 4303. A fusion of Australian and Italian cuisine, in a relaxed and ambient setting.
• Bondi Surf Seafoods, 128 Campbell Parade. ph 02 9130 4554. The Bondi Beach Fish Shop is the place to go for that dubious local speciality, the deep fried Mars Bar. Fans of the bar counsel caution: no matter how strong you think you are, restrict yourself to one deep fried Mars Bar daily.Bondi Surf Seafoods
• Gelato Bar Café Restaurant, 140 Campbell Parade. ph 02 9130 4033. Gelato Bar is one of the oldest places in Bondi and has built up a reputation over 40 years. They specialise in French pastries, crepes and of course gelato. It is a wondeful place to go for a quick coffee or even dinner, the food is a mix of Mediterranean using fresh Australian produce. It overlooks the beachfront and has a wonderful view.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Bondi Sands [8], 252 Campbell Parade, tel 04 1456 8930, - A clean, friendly hostel 60 metres from the beach.

• Indy's Backpackers [9], 35a Hall Street and Campbell Parade, tel 02 9365 4900, fax 02 9365 4994 - With two different locations, right in the heart of Bondi's cafe scene, Indy's Backpackers offers clean and comfortable rooms for the budget conscious.

[edit] Drink

The two biggest bars in Bondi are the Beach Road Hotel and Bondi Hotel. Both are excellent places to catch the finals in a cricket match or have a few drinks with your mates. Another great bar is at the previously mentioned Bondi Icebergs, it has a great view of the beach and relatively cheap drinks. Make sure to take some form of ID that proves you live outside a 5km radius as this is a club and the rule require that you be a member if you are inside 5km. Of course, if you want to be "seen" then go for Ravesis on the corner of Hall St and Campbell parade. It attracts the beatufil people.. or at least those who think they are beautiful. Bondi locals will tend to go for BBs. Relocated from its cramped spot on Curlewis St, BBs is hidden down an alley next to the Mambo surf shop on Campbell Parade. Live music, surf videos and a more relaxed vibe than the goldfish bowl up the road.

[edit] Buy

[edit] Markets

• Bondi Beach Markets, every Sunday 9am-3pm in the grounds of Bondi Beach Public School, (Campbell Parade, one block north of the main shopping centre).

[edit] Get Out

Congratulations on making it to the world famous Bondi Beach. Time now to discover some of Sydney's other fantastic but lesser known beaches scattered all up and down the Sydney coast. Each has its own character. Try Coogee Beach or Cronulla Beach on the south side or Curl Curl or Palm Beach on the north.

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